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1971 429CJ Option

By Richard Brown and Mitch Lewis

(From the "Cougar Club of America" Website - http://www.cougarclub.org/index.shtml)

  • The 429CJ option was available for the 1971 model year only. There were 448 cars built, 47 convertibles and 401 hardtops. To date (3/01) we have 36 cars registered, 13 convertibles and 23 hardtops.
    The 429CJ option was offered in two guises, J-CODE = RAM-AIR and C-CODE = NON-RAM AIR, horsepower and torque figures were quoted the same for both options: 370HP and 450FT/LBS. The 429-Cobra-Jet Registry was established to document and track all 429CJ optioned Cougars.


    429CJ DISTINGUISHING FEATURES.
  • C or J in VIN
  • All models and body styles were available with the 429CJ option including XR7/STD convertibles and hardtops and the Cougar GT.
  • All cars featured a dress up engine kit featuring "Ribbed" aluminum valve covers, bright dipstick, oil filler cap, radiator cap and air cleaner cover.
    NOTE: bright air cleaner cover available on non ram-air equipped cars only.
  • All engines featured 4 bolt main bearing blocks.
  • Hurst 4speed or C6 automatic transmissions were required options (no 3 speeds). All 4 speed cars have rev limiters, C6 transmissions were a special unit with additional clutch plates, cast iron tail-shaft and "R" servo.
  • All cars had competition suspension. Larger front sway bar, rear sway bar, heavy duty shocks, staggered in the rear.
  • Power steering equipped cars had variable ratio 20.2:1 and a power steering cooler on 3.50 rear end ratio cars only. (power steering oil cooler were included on some but not all 3.25 rear end ratio cars.
  • Power brakes were a required option.
  • All cars were equipped with 27" heavy duty radiators.
  • All cars were equipped with a 720CFM Rochester/Quadrajet carb. ( Note the 780 Super Cobra-Jet was not offered as a production option).
  • "Drag pak" and "Super Drag pak" were not offered as production options.
  • Functional hood scoop was a feature of the Ram-Air option, all Cougar GT models have hood scoops but functional only on 429 Ram-Air motor option.
  • All cars were equipped with dual exhaust.
  • All cars were equipped with heavy duty battery (Group 27F).
  • Rear end ratios were 3.25 or 3.50 only, traction lock was optional. All air conditioned cars required the 3.25 ratio. All cars had 31 spline rear axles.
  • Air conditioning was not offered as a production option on convertibles.
  • Tire/wheel options were 14x7 with either F70X14 or F70X14RWL traction tires. 15X7 wheels with hub cap and trim ring and F60X15RWL traction tires were an option.
  • All paint and interior codes were available.