Dove heads
 

I am considering a set of "dove?" heads. I have been told that they are much better performing heads when compared to the standard 429 heads. What makes them better. I know that the 429 is VERY heavy, will these heads help any? Will I need a special intake to use them?

Bran

429/460 DOVE-C heads
 

Bran,
The "DOVE" refers to the Ford part number on the heads. The DOVE-C 429/460 heads are the same as any other stock 460 head with two exceptions: they have smaller 75cc combustion chambers which helps generate compression, and they come with screw-in rocker studs-although they are not for adjustable rockers. Other than that, they have NO performance value over another set of iron 460 heads-just more compression. They use standard intake manifolds.

Now there are 429CJ/SCJ heads with larger intake and exhaust ports, and 460 Police heads with slightly larger ports. They have different part numbers, and are easy to spot when you have seen the stock small port heads.

The stock 460 heads can be made to perform quite well with a good valve job and some port work. Often, the smaller ports will work better on the street on standard sized motors, especially at our altitude. There are even special roller rockers that can be fitted to the later "bolt-down" style heads without modification.

If you are looking to step up to an aluminum head, there are a number of options, each with different attributes. Edelbrock makes a nice street 460 head for milder engines. SVO has an aluminum CJ head which works pretty well for the medium to high performance engines. But, a significantly better choice is the Blue Thunder 460 head, as it performs better and is better made, for almost the same money as the SVO heads.

If you are not sure what you want, and would like to try and get some comparisons between heads, we are currently working on a couple of 460's. We have stock Ford, Edelbrock, and Blue Thunder heads in the shop right now that you could take a look at.

Let me know if I can help you out with some questions.
Rob
303-762-8298

Bran, You could also have been referrign to the following high performance FE manufacturer:

I have seen and HEARD an all aluminum Dove motor. VERY nice!

Dove Manufacturing
27114 Royalton Rd
Columbia Station, OH 44028-9048
Phone: (440) 236-5139

Wadesdad,
If that's the case, then my engine build just made a major turn for the better. have you heard wether these heads will work on a standard 429/460 block? Do you know of any distinguishing marks that might help me tell one way or the other?

Bran:D

Dove manufacturing in Ohio only makes cylinder heads for FE motors, not 429/460's. They got their name from the founder, Jim Dove. This is not really related to the original question.

This is not to be confused with the factory ford DOVE heads, which broken down, D stands for 1970's, O is the year. You guys are getting these mixed up. C stands for 1960's, so a part that is C5AE is a 1965 part.

heads
 

the 68 thunder jet head(first year of 429) that was sold in the t-birds came with 11-1 comp with full adjustable rockers is a head that is very useable at the higher eleavations with great success, i have run them for years in a 1-ton in a very rough service. \