I'm not quite sure if this is where I should ask this but I have a 1964 f100 2wd long bed. I want to make it a go-fast truck.
Found this build: http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/1501-build-a-505hp-ford-351-windsor/
Which involves flat top pistons, a cam, trick flow heads, and expensive carbs and intakes. I know getting 500 HP isn't cheap, parts came out to be around $6000 for that build. They used the same short block with gt40 heads and different carb and intake and got 390 HP for about $4000 without the cost of the gt40s... What I am wondering is would it be more cost effective to just build something like a 408 stroker? I have a 5spd out of my mustang I want to throw behind it. I'm not trying to make a drag race truck, just something impressive that has some guts to show off.. What are your thoughts?

 

http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/engine/mmfp-1111-408-stroker-build-and-dyno-test-double-trouble/

Just found this build of a 408 with 400 rwhp, seems like a stroker would be more what i am after, but my question still remains, what would the power difference be between gt40 heads and trick flow heads, the trick flow heads are $1050 a piece and for that price I could buy a stroker kit and gt40s, I'm just wondering how much power I would loose going with the gt40s over the trick flows

 

Another option you might consider that will get you 500 HP for less money, I believe, is to put a 460 in it . I have a 460 in my 1969 Mustang that I recently had on a chassis dyno and it makes 401 rwhp and it has just a few upgrades really (early cast iron heads with smaller combustion chambers is important) and a very restricted exhaust due to the tight fit in a Mustang with shock towers that is easily holding back 40 to 50 HP. Now I am in process of putting the Mustangs original 351W into my 66 truck, but I'm going to keep it aimed at low end torque near stock.

 

I've thought about that, I have a 460 in my 92 f150 that I thought about doing something to and throwing it in the 64 but I'm just not sold on the idea of a big block operating at high rpms, maybe I'm just paranoid lol... If its more cost effective to put a big block in it than that's what I'll do, but I'd much rather have a small block in it

 

That stroker was producing 500 ft lb torque from 3400-5400 rpm and that's what I'm looking for as far as operating range, I just think that's pushing it for a big block but heck I could be wrong, I'm not that experienced with big blocks

 

I'm not trying to sway you one way or another, but if your curious there a couple of big block Ford forums out there on the inner webs that you can do some quick research from, but it's commonly agreed that with just an upgrade to forged pistons and stock crank and rods are safe to spin 6000 rpm all day long and live a long time. Many of the drag racers on there say 6500 rpm is perfectly safe. I actually need to get a rev limiter put on my Stang because I try and shift at 6000 rpm, but in first gear with tires lit up it will get past 6000 in like a blink of the eye. Point being a 385 series big block with the right cam and a few go fast parts these things will rev like mad.

 

Go on... Haha you have my attention, I've seen big blocks just a screaming but always assumed they had loads of money dumped in them.. What kind of mods did you have to do to reach 400 ponies?

 

With all those go-fast parts, what will you put in for "stop-fast" parts?

The 4-whl drums with no power assist in my '65 make me glad my top speed is a leisurely 45 mph!

 

I'll remind that it is 400 hp at the rear wheels so estimated flywheel hp is at least 500 assuming 20% driveline loss which is a conservative estimate since I have a C6 trans which consume a lot of power. If driveline loss is 25% it would be 535 fwhp and that is with little shorty headers and 2" exhaust which is probably holding back at least 40 hp I've been told. Anyway it is basically just a rebuilt 460 out of a 70's Lincoln for cheap. Found a set of early DOVE-C heads which are smaller combustion chambers and they were ported/polished, but retain the stock size small valves (2.09" intake, putting larger valves would be better). It was rebuilt with forged pistons, but retains stock crankshaft and rods. It has a solid lifter flat tappet cam 294 duration, 248 at 0.050, 0.605 lift. However the cam is single pattern (same duration and lift on both exhaust and intake) which the big block experts tell me is hurting power too. I run an Edelbrock Torker II intake, Holly 850 DP, and MSD ignition. The compression ratio is a little over 11:1, but I can run fine on pump gas basically because the big cam makes for a low enough dynamic compression ratio.

 

So disc brake conversion with assist is a must, 10-4

 

http://www.mustangandfords.com/project-vehicles/mdmp-1106-460-big-block-part-2/viewall.html

Another article i found to pretty easily get 600 horses! Will take a little more effort but hey, I wanna go fast

And I have a tremec 3650 5 speed out of my '02 mustang gt, it should easily take the extra power. Its not likely anyone knows but does anyone know if somebody makes an adapter plate or a bell housing to make that tremec fit a 460?

 

Earl,
I'm not sure about a bellhousing or adaptor for your Tremec to a 460, but my guess is yes. You can probably search the answer on 460ford.com I read both the articles you had links to and neither one mentions cost, but I'm guessing the 460 build is 1/2 the money as the stroker 408. Keep us posted either way you go because IMO the only thing cooler than an old Ford truck is a tire scorching fast old ford truck.

 

Ok I will go over to that site and see if I can find anything. And the article for the 408 had a parts list with prices and I added up the prices and it was around $6000 just to get 400 HP, the article for the 460 600 horse doesn't have prices but I'm sure its half of the cost of the 408 with a lot more power, I will definetly keep you posted on what I find and the progress with the truck, I'm excited to get this thing going again as it was my great grandfather's and my fathers truck and now it has been passed down to me, it might take some time means how I'm only 18 and other priorities have to come first. I just want to thank you all for your help, without this forum I wouldn't ever get anything done