I just purchased a 77 F250 with a 460 to be my daily driver. Needless to say she is in need of an overhaul...as for the engine I'm trying to figure the best cost effective options to be done during the rebuild for improving Hp/Tq and creating a solid foundation for future performance modifications...any wisdom and thoughts you can share will be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if I need to explain anything or add any info.
Thanks again

 

A '77 needs to be smogged, right? Do you have the printout from the seller's smog check? You can see the limits for NOx and HC with the printout, and get an idea of what you can get away with on compression for example. I know some higher GVW are exempt, but you need to know that for sure before you do anything to this truck.

 

Yeah, 77's need smog in California. I'm one year past smog exempt. I don't have the print out, I need to smog the truck myself. When I do I'll add the info but for the time being is there any general options I can start to think about and look into?

 

You bought it and didn't get a smog from the seller--the law says he has to smog it. Best get it smogged before you think about anything. That thing got cats? If the cats are dead, you better find that seller......

I'm thinking IF you're allowed a lot more Nox than it blows you can increase the compression a point or so. You might be able to use an RV or other mild cam that will run better but not be radically different than the stocker.

Doug Thorley headers are smog legal for many/most rigs, especially 460s, so those might be in the mix.

As far as much else, your budget and CARB exemptions will dictate things like manifolds and carbs.

 

Thanks for replying, when I bought the truck the tags were already expired...I know the seller was responsible for the smog but for some reason I thought I was in the clear because of the age...I unfortunately read the dmv exemption rules wrong (some 77's with a gvwr class other than mine are exempt). Anyway I was able to buy the truck for less due to the expired tags so I went for it. Hopefully It'll work out. I appreciate the info and I'll repost after I get 'er smoged.