I'd have to find it, but I think it was hot rod magazine did a 460 build. Out of box aluminum heads, mid range cam, performer rpm intake, carb, headers & I think they were reporting over 500hp. Overall though it seemed like a decent build. Mmm yes... Biggest obstacle is the price of the heads...

 

thanks for all the input guys ! co425- i live in auburn but all my vehicles are registered in applegate. anything above meadow vista is only req'd to do the 2 speed idle test, no dyno and no nox test !

i looked on summit and i can get a 'brock alum intake and 600 cfm carb for around $650. probably gonna be $700 when all is done.

i think you guys are right about the 4bbl option. the 2150 thats on it is the 1.21" venturi which equals 350 cfm. i think the 1.08" venturi is a mere 280 cfm. ive heard theres a bigger 465cfm 2150 out there but i aint never seen one or know what they come on.

the exhaust is stock manifolds into the stock "Y" pipe into a 2 chamber flowmaster and 3" tailpipe exiting in front of the R rear tire.

i gotta do some more sidework to pay for the carb/intake combo. i'll keep you posted! thanks again everybody! FTE is priceless!

 

There are two 2bbls bigger than what you have. Do you have the visual inspection? (you must in CA I would think) So going to the 4bbl will cause you an issue. The carbs:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...eral-info.html

As for what they come on, I would think pickups with 390s, but the best bet might be that cheap old man/insurance fooler, the Mercury 429 2bbl. Also maybe Fairlane/Comets with 390 2bbl motors.

Good luck finding one of those at the scrappy.......

 

good info 85e!
im gonna lean towards a 4 bbl intake and carb for now. hope it helps. i would rarely get into the rear half but it would be nice to have on tap if needed!

 

Exhaust improvements will also help it breath. The 4 bbl and dual exhaust should make a noticeable improvement... and can be re-used if you decide to bump it up to a higher compression 400 down the road. For towing, as noted above, shorter tires or higher numerical gear ratio would help also. My stock 400 does pretty well towing 6500# with 4.10's and 31" tires.

 

well, crap. i just called summit about an edelbrock 4bbl performer intake. they have them but it does NOT carry an CARB EO # so its not legal in Ca. now what ?? Weiand makes one too but same deal- no EO #.

 

Yea, no 4bbl as oem, no 4bbl allowed. Back to a larger 2bbl......

 

I really think even with a alum intake setup you still would not be happy with it. Those motors just suck for the most part. The money you waste on it would be well spent toward the 460. A pretty much stock 460 will do about the same on has but run so much better. It's hard to believe they are in the same family.

I really have no love for the 351m as you can tell. However I did just buy a 79 F250 4wd. So as luck would have it I ended up with a 400 in this one. It seems to run ok but I didn't get yo drive it yet to see if it's a dog like a 351. The only modifying this 400 will get is the 460 mod.

 

that I understand!

 

I'll ask cause I don't remember but what are the motor mount differences on the 4x4 to go from the 400 to the 460? I'm wanting to put a 460 in my '79 4x4 too.

 

there may be caveat to this tho... a 400 came with a 4bbl. edelbrock makes a aluminum 4bbl intake that carries an EO #, so maybe putting it on may work! my smog guy said as long as the intake you put on has an EO #, hes okay with it (and a 2bbl carb of course for smog purposes). i may put in a little hotter cam while im in it, as long as i stay under 220 degrees duration @ .050 i'll be okay! i dont tow very often with it so i think an intake-carb-cam change will be fine.

 

I believe the 351M and the 400 were the same as the 360 and 390 = direct swap. Same block.

 

The 460 will make more power, but cost you bunches for fuel. With deep pockets go for BIG. Myself, I'd go with a 390 SCJ to get the same top end and have the carb adjusted for economy but have the secondary "boosted" for raw power that would equal the stock 460 or better. Having the "biggest stick" on the street is cool but having a "sleeper" will trash the others just as bad...... "Surprise" = "eat my dust" !

 

tinker-
i would love to build a 521 stroker from a 460 but Ca smog laws pretty much have my cojones in a vise. im limited to what i can do and my smog guy is willing to "work" with me as long as i try to keep it close to stock. i think i'll do the intake/carb swap in a month or so. 600 cfm has to run better than a 350 cfm. i dont care about mileage. i know these engines have drinking problems!!! lol

 

My 77 F250 4x4 was a 400 2V truck and I am very happy that the minor oversight by Ford has been corrected. I have a 460 with a mild build and getting a little less mild here in a couple weeks. That being said, just pray that gas prices stay lower than they have been. 460's like fuel. I don't tow but I occasionally haul stuff in mine. I had almost 2 yards of dense soil in it last week. I don't know the weight but is squatted the rear just a bit. The 460 didn't even know I had a load in the truck. The only difference felt was the truck rode better and the steering was much lighter! LOL


I'd go 460 but then that is always my canned response. The motor was made for what you want to do with it, period. No issues with the 2V vs 4V cause most 429's/ 460's were stock 4V. (MOST) (MOST) (MOST) Did I mention MOST for all the corrections that I am sure are to come?