I'm looking for a new project/toy in the way of a 70's F-Series Supercab long bed. Unfortunately I don't know a lot about them. Several years ago I had a 74 F-100 with a 360 backed by a NP435 and had a lot of fun with it but my needs and usage has changed a bit. I'm planning on doing a bit of highway cruising with it as well as occasionally haul my Harley. What engine should I be looking for and why? Are there any advantages to a C-6 vs a NP435 other that availability in a Supercab? F-100, F-150, F-250 & why? Is there any other advice you guys can offer?

 

SuperCab long bed eh? Give us a wee bit more info....

How important is fuel mileage? What is important in terms of comfort and conveniences? Do you prefer an auto or manual trans? Will the rig be subject to emissions testing?

Some of us can make almost anything fit if we are determined enough but engine/trans combos can interchange within the generation.

 

Fuel mileage is of consideration but then again these trucks are essentially bricks with wheels and in the neighborhood of 40 years old so there isn't a whole lot of fuel efficiency to be expected. For now I'm looking at stock options essentially. My biggest concern is drivability and reliability. I'd prefer manual but there are not a lot of Supercabs out there with manuals so how reliable is the C6 transmission?

 

A properly built/rebuilt and serviced C6 is very reliable.

Personally, a '76 SuperCab with a 460/C6 or '77 with a 400/C6... AC/PS/PB. Add a front swaybar if not equipped! However, I like the 73-75 grill inserts better than the 76-77. I'm not a fan of the "big mouth bass" grill shell/insert of the 78/79s.

Comfortwise, the higher trim levels in later years are more pimp. Especially, the XLT and Lariat packages.

Efficiency... there is always the GV Overdrive option.

 

if i was hauling a bike and wanted a old ford truck. i would get the extralong bed camper special 460/c-6 with a/c its big enough to hold all your gear and tools and the single cabs are plenty big to sleep in!

 

PS & PB I want but everything else I can take or leave. I agree the 78 & 79 grills are horrible looking. So you like the 400/460 over the 360/390? personally I'm from the school of thought that believes there is no replacement for displacement but I don't know Fords all that well so I don't know the ups and downs of the different engine series.

 

I like the FEs but mpgs with no overdrive will suck. I'm getting 18 mpg with my 360FE but it is backed by a TKO-500 and fed by a TB EFI from Edelbrock.

The 460 has better support (read "less expensive") and a mild build (headers, dual exhaust, cam, 4V intake & carb) can easily eke out 400 HP .

So dollar for dollar, a 460 is a better value (dollars per HP) over an FE...

 

My wife and kids occasionally go with me, so a regular cab is not exactly on my shopping list but I appreciate the suggestion.

 

Makes sense, I didn't know there was more aftermarket support for the 460s. Down the road I was thinking of either a GV upgrade to a C6 or swapping in a 5spd manual. An intake and exhaust are on my list of upgrades no matter what engine I end up with.


Are there any major issues or weaknesses with the 460s or anything I should watch out for while I'm shopping?

 

The only thing I can think of at the moment is knowing external vs internal balancing plus the chamber sizes between carbed and EFI'ed 460s.

Here are some articles for your perusal;

Ford 460 Build: 500 HP-CarCraft Magazine
Off the Shelf Ford 460 - Popular Hot Rodding
545 CI Stroker - Custom Classic Trucks
460 Big Block Build Part 1, 437HP/507TQ- Mustangs & Fords Magazine
460 Big Block Build Part 2, 609HP/557TQ- Mustangs & Fords Magazine
460 Big Block Build Part 3, 598 ci "Monster Mash" 916HP/827TQ

 

Gas mileage mostly and its likely going to cost more than a 390 or 400 equipped truck

 

How bad really is the gas mileage in a 460 equipped rig vs one with a 390 or 400? I wouldn't expect more than about 8 to 10 regardless of engine.

 

Geared the same and driven the same, the difference will be 2 to 4 mpg I figure. However, my brother got 15.7 mpg over a 450-mile trip on Interstate 5 (flat!) doing 55 to 60 mpg in a 69 F100 with a 360FE/C6/3.25 combo.

A 390 has that much more displacement to fill up with the proper air/fuel mix and a 460 that much more displacement... Think about it this way... a 460 has 100 more cubic inches than a 360FE.

I'd still build a 460... did you see last weekend's episode of 'Engine Power' on Spike? They built a 460 stroker (557 cubes) and it made over 900 HP.. normally aspirated IIRC. Of course they used the good stuff like CNC'ed competition heads from AFR but it just goes to show the aftermarket support is there. Try to get over 700 hp with an FE and you'll be bleeding cubic dollars.

 

I tend to agree with HIO... there is more aftermarket support for the 460s, but I would personally build a FE( I like the feel and sound of the FEs the best), your rear end gears and tire sizes would be big factors for MPG.

 

I have a 77 f250 SC longbed with a 400/c6. Not sure of the gears and I don't want to look for my paper with my plate decode. It runs quite well on the 4 lanes around here at 70, gets ok mileage, although I am not sure what it is as I my speedo is off. But it is not a power house by any means. i pull a 21 ft camper with it and she doesn't like hills very much. But hopefully will be able to give it a rebuild this winter and get it pulling a little better. It does what i want it to for the most part, and I think a light load such as a bike wouldn't be an issue for her.