Cylinder Head Specifications for a 1969 Lincoln 460
by Richard Rowe
Introduced in 1968 as the "Thunderjet," Ford's top line big block boasted more cubic inches than any other V8 of the muscle car era--460 of them to be exact. But unlike their Chevrolet and Chrysler counterparts, these mountain motors were designed from the outset to haul heavy trucks and cars around town on a massive wave of torque. The 460's cylinder heads sacrificed a bit of top-end flow to enhance the motor's bottom-end torque.
Identification
The 1969 Lincoln 460 used the same cylinder heads as the 429 performance engines used in Boss 429 Mustangs. You can identify the iron 460/429 head by looking at the casting number on the flat, horizontal pad just above the center exhaust port. These heads will use either casting number C8VE-A or C8VE-E.
Ports
Intake ports define an engine's top-end power potential. The 460 uses slightly small ports that help to increase air velocity for low-end torque but limit top-end power potential. The round intake port measures 2.18 by 1.87 inches with a total volume of between 260 and 270 ccs. The exhaust port measures 1.99 by 1.3 inches.
Valves
The C9VE head uses 2.09 intake and 1.65-inch exhaust valves.
Combustion Chamber
The 460's heads use 75 to 77 cc combustion chambers that yield about 10.5:1 compression on pre-1972 blocks with standard pistons and 9.5:1 to 10:1 on later 460s. The combustion chambers are wedge-shaped (similar to the Chrysler 440's) with large quench pads. Still, the C8VE heads' very small combustion chambers make them a popular option for raising compression on the low-compression, low-performance engines that came later.
Emissions
The C8VE head uses a smaller Thermac (thermacular pump) valve than those used on newer engines, but the Thermac passages aren't drilled for 49-state legal emissions as are the units used on later heads.
Rocker Arms
The Lincoln's head uses self-aligning, 1.73:1 rocker arms on a cast-iron common rail, which is secured to the heads via 3/8-inch positive stop studs. If you want to use aftermarket roller rocker arms, you'll need to switch out the positive stop studs for a set of standard studs designed for a big block Chevy.
Valve Springs
The C9VE head uses non-rotator valve springs with a 1.460-inch outside diameter and a 1.820-inch installed height.
References
Writer Bio
Richard Rowe has been writing professionally since 2007, specializing in automotive topics. He has worked as a tractor-trailer driver and mechanic, a rigger at a fire engine factory and as a race-car driver and builder. Rowe studied engineering, philosophy and American literature at Central Florida Community College.
