I'll try to be brief. I've been a bit forced to do A LOT of homework before ever buying a single part for my 460 build do to hurricanes and serious flooding of my workshop.

SOOOO, when normally parts would already be in transit as I needed them, none have been ordered yet.

My build is RAPIDLY approaching $4k for turn key, but knowing me it will be $4.5 k at least :bs:

I realize it's still cheaper than a crate motor...so in one sense I've already answered my own question, BUT I wanted to see what you guys think. You guys know the crate motors that are available so I'll spare the typing. But I will tell you what I will end up with so you can compare.

need to stay around the 500 hp mark and not much higher...so strokers are out of the question for the most part.
I already have many parts (ignition/fuel delivery/oil pan/intake etc.)

460 '79 externally balanced truck block fully machined (not blueprinted tho) .060 over

new: damper/flexplate/crank/rods/pistons etc. and balanced rotating assembly

10qt mildon pan w/HV oil pump

MSD ignition/850 dp carb/rpm intake

Scorpian full rollers/new edel rpm heads (assembled)

Comp 234,244 @ .050/ 561-576 lift hydraulic (from memory)

pretty much running open headers, boat motor

Impeller for jet pump will keep it down below 5.5k rpm range

....and all the support crap...you get the idea


I could probably sell the redundant parts I have on hand if I bought a crate motor and recoup SOME of the difference, but the crate motor would ultimately be more expensive by a bit. Am I nuts to go through all this when I could spend a bit more money and bolt in a crate motor??? I guess I'm a bit spooked about them and wanted to know what you guys thought.....sorry for the long post. Thanks for your opinions.

Nick

 

FHI-prez
Why buy a crate motor when you can spend twice as much time and twice as much money building one from scratch! Come on man, do it the hard way like the rest of us.
Just kidding... I wish Ida gone the crate route
Tiremine

 

do I sense some bitterness? LOL

 

For the money, you can pretty much always get more if you do the build yourself. Of course this will take time and effort. With the crate, you know what you are going to get and it is the easy way out. You might want to check on a crate shortblock and then put your cam, heads, intake, etc on it. That can be a quick and not TOO expensive way to go.

 

Well, that is EXACTLY what I did. I ordered the parts from Powered by Ford in Orlando, Fl.

Here is what I ordered (in short)

460 Ford Racing shortblock
cam is 244,254 @ .050 with .588,.614 lift
timing chain
Edelbrock Rpm 75 cc chamber heads
ARP head studs
HV oil pump (to be blueprinted at machine shop)
Ford Racing aluminum 4.5" tall valve covers
Flexplate
Damper
Counterweight
Milodon Marine 10qt. oil pan
Rpm Intake
Barry Grant 850 carb
MSD ignition
Dove roller rockers
3/8 hardened pushrods
....and a few odds and ends

$5k...should run good enough to pull a skiier or two in the jet-boat

Nick

 

You gotta keep us posted on how this thing turns out. Sounds like a screamer. BTW, where are you located? I know a VERY knowledgable guy when it comes to BBF's and jet boats. He lives in Oklahoma. I could ask him any questions you might have specifically, or could maybe even get you in touch with him. He knows his boats.

 

I'm located in the hurricane capitol of the world! FLOOOWDA!