Just bought the truck mainly for the fairly straight body. The 400 is worn out and not running and I have a bare 460 I am planning on building for this project. Can anyone recommend a front leaf spring that will keep my ride height where it's at but eliminate the blocks? I am happy with the stance with the 35" tires but I would like to get rid of the blocks in front. Any other advice and or comments will be greatly appreciated!

 

wow, nice looking truck. a 460 will be a perfect fit for that machine. i have a 78 F250 4x4 as well and went with the skyjacker springs in all four corners. love the ride and have no complaints at all. i'm guessing that you'll need at least a 6" lift to clear those 35's. you'll also need a drop pitman arm as well as an off set draglink ( cross over steering would be best ). longer brake lines and possibly longer drive shaft as well.

 

I was wanting to stick with a 4" lift and run a 35 x 12.50 instead of the 14.50 Boggers. I had 35x12.50x15 goodyear mtrs on my old 78 F150 4x4 w 4" lift and they fit about right. Of course that was a radius arm lift. This is my first time messing w a leaf sprung rig. I will check out the sky jackers for sure.

I am goin to take my D1VE (internal balance) 460 block to the machine shop soon but I am still confused as to what combo of flywheel/clutch/pilot bearing to use. I have been reading threads on this site and other sites but I get alot of conflicting info. Is there a site with definite accurate info for a 400 to 460 swap in a 78 F250 4x4 with the NP 435/205?

Some people say I need some 390 stuff, some say to make a spacer etc etc...I am willing to spend more money to buy what ever I need from Summit or who ever to make it go smooth but after much research I am still not 100% sure what parts I need...

 

Very nice truck, I love the look....wonder why?

A 4" will let you ditch the front blocks (way smart idea) and still have room for the 35's, but a Skyjacker 6" will be a whole lot better for 35's, 36's even 38's and maybe 39.5's.

Skyjacker sells all you need, a drop pitman arm, adjustable steering link, shocks and longer front and rear brake lines (steel braided DOT approved). You can get a lift "kit" that only gives you a extra set of rear blocks to stack up (bad idea IMO). Get the lift "system" and you also get new rear springs, but you still have to use the OEM rear block.

Also you should get new u bolts all the way around, they sell them in a kit also. And here is a idea to drop the rear e-brake cable, not required with a 4" or 6" but they will be very tight is not modded on the 6" lift. See the bracket under the cross member where they used to mount?

My blue truck had worn out high boy front springs and PO installed front blocks and 35's. You can still see them in the 3rd pic. It now has a Rough Country 4" with new front springs. I had the lift setting around so I used it to ditch the blocks. I should of ordered a 6" like ol red has on it, in that pic is has a 36" mil take off Hummer tires.

Ol blue has a 460 too make sure you have a plenty of lift if you use a front sump pan (car 460 block) or get a truck 460 rear sump pan. Also you know there is a difference in a car 460 or truck 460 exhaust manifolds? A car one will not clear the frame on the passenger side.

I like the rock crusher rims too.

 

Wow the blue truck is just like mine haha.. What size tires are on it? And that is a 4" lift, right? Did you do the 460 swap yourself?

 

BFG 35x12.50x16.5

Rough Country 4" front springs only

With drop pitman arm, adjustable steering link, longer steel braided brake lines on the front.

460 swap in was a PO thing also, along with a notched passenger side top part of the frame rail, because they used car exhaust manifolds....

Ck your PM box.

 

Awesome truck! I agree with going with the lift "system". The 4" lift will clear the 35x12.50s nicely. And since you don't mind spending a little money, I recommend looking into a ZF5 tranny swap. Granny gear with overdrive, just can't beat it.

 

Skyjacker....

Item #F760K-N / Skyjacker Suspensions

Item #F760KS-N / Skyjacker Suspensions

http://www.jackit.com/lift-kits/susp...250/66-79.html Looks like they use the Skyjacker leafs..

http://www.mcssl.com/store/atlassusp...9-f250f350-4x4

 

I say go with the Item #F760KS-N / Skyjacker Suspensions . Skyjacker is great quality and dependable, not to mention the best bang for your buck when it is all said and done. And since there really hasn't been any new technology when it comes to leaf spring design in the past 20 to 30 years, there is no need to pay for overly expensive springs. You will appreciate the rear springs vs the blocks too. Which ever you choose, keep the pictures coming. I really enjoy suspension threads.

 

I put the 6" 4 new leaf spring lift on ol red...And the 4" Rough Country ol blue.

I like the Atlas option to ditch the rear block all together when ordering.

 

i run a 360 fly wheel, clutch and pressure plate with my 460. i had a brass pilot bearing machined to fit deeper into the crank eliminating the spacers between the bell housing and block. i've never had any issues with this set up.

 

Yea all the talk about 360/390 flywheels and having bearings machined is what gets confusing to me. If I order the hd 400 to 460 swap clutch/flywheel kit from L & L does that solve all the flywheel/bearing issues? What does it take to put a zf5 tranny behind a 460 in this truck?

Which chassis exit headers will I need to order to prevent cutting the frame?

 

The pilot bearing he is talking about is the one that comes new in a clutch, pressure plate and throw out "box kits". There is only one and it is a really a collar not really a bearing.

L&L should have all you need, to include headers. Make sure you know if you 460 is internally or externally balanced, that matters I do believe?

As far as headers you can run inside the frame exit (giant PITA IMO) Hedman, L&L are outside the frame, Mad Dog, Sanderson?

You can run stock exhaust manifolds, just make sure the passenger side one comes off a truck, because it exits further back than the car one. The car one will not let you connect the rest of the exhaust due to it exiting so far forward.

As far as 460 clutch/flywheel or any 460 questions you can contact Dave McLain's Machine Shop (573) 885-3920 in Cuba, Missouri. A guy named Scott Johnston aka "The Mad Porter" on all the 460 big block forums is known as the best big block builder. Scott worked with Dave many times before. Its about an hour and a half west of St. Louis.

You hear alot about bad guys, here's a good one, Dave McLain | The H.A.M.B. Also ck out this place for anything 460 wise. http://www.460ford.com/forum/

Any 429 or 460 engine will work, as long as the correct 1973/79 F100/350 460 oil pan and engine mounting parts are used.
Internally balanced: Block casting number prefixes C8VE (1968 429/460); C9VE (1969 429/460); D0VE (1970 429/460); & block casting number: D1VE-6015-AB = 1971/73 429 / 1971/78 460, some1979 460.
FoMoCo changed the 460 mid-year 1979 to externally balanced, has a weighted spacer, the block casting number is D9TE-6015-AB
Since this was a "running change" there are no before/from serial numbers/production dates. The block casting number must be known to get the correct harmonic balancer and flexplate.
429: 1968/71 Thunderbird / 1968/73 misc Ford/Merc Passenger Cars.
460: 1968/78 Lincoln/Continental Marks /1972 Thunderbird/Misc 1973/78 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars / 1973/76 F100 / 1973/79 F250/350/1975/79 F150 / 1975/97 E250/350 / 1983/97 F250/350.
460 not available with 4WD or a M/T until 1983.
D4TZ-9430-B .. R/Exhaust Manifold / Obsolete
1973/74 F100/350 460 / 1975 F100/350 460 before serial number W00,001.
D5TZ-9430-C .. R/Exhaust Manifold / Obsolete
1975 F100/350 460 from serial number W00,001 / 1975/79 Econoline 460 / 1976 F100/350 460 / 1977/79 F150/350 460.

ZF5...1st you have to find one....

 

Nice looking truck!! Perfect stance. We've purchased a 79 with a 460 in it. One very nice thing the PO did was go to a serpentine belt setup. Maybe something to also consider.