I have a 79 f150 xlt 4x4 351m/c6 I am going to need a new tranny no later than next summer I am planning on getting a B&M or JET tranny But I also plan on getting a diferent engine IF I swap a 429/460 later I will be ok with getting a tranny for an m because of the same bolt patterns. I want to get 351 windsor because you can get plenty of power through new heads cam intake etc, and still have ok gas mileage am I wrong? Is it possible to have air conditioniing with a 351w or 429/460 in my truck? I have never seen the a/c in a late 70s truck with a 429/460 What kind of mileage is possible with a well built 351, and with a 429/460? the reason I dont want to build my M engine is there are not very many performance parts for them. I just want enough performance to be near or better than a new truck with out 10 mpg or less. Would I be better off to build my M engine?

 

Ok, first off let me say I've had none of these engines. However, in shopping around and looking at newer Ford trucks, I'm getting the impression that a Fuel injected 460 w/ an Overdrive tranny doesn't get any worse and possibly better mileage than a fuel injected overdrive 351W. Now with carburators, I know the Lima (429/460) isn't too outstanding. Consider that you can reuse your tranny if you go Lima, you'll have to get different tranny if you go Windsor. Also there are lot's of modern Lima heads/cams/ect as it's a popular big block to build these days, just like the Windsor is. Also have you considered rebuilding your M w/ 400 guts? I'd vote go big

BBT

 

I love the idea of putting a late model 460 efi with an od tranny into my truck. How difficult would it be to install? Would it be possible to have cruise and ac? How could the overdrive be engaged There are only 3 gear selections in my 79?

 

I think unless you have a several thousand dollar budget and/or a late model donor truck, it's not really feasible. Realize the extent of the wiring harness involved, the fact that the fuel lines from the tank or tanks is run under way more pressure and requires much heftier lines as well as return lines. As far as trannies I think there is an evolution in the 80's into the 90s that eventually ties the tranny up w/ the engine computer. Probably the best way would be to get a wrecked donor that has all this. What is your priority? Is gas mileage really a big consideration or is brute power? You can certainly make some serious HP w/ a carburator. Even the stand alone Fuel injection kits are pretty pricey unless you stick w/ a simpler Throttle body setup from Holley, which is fairly limited compared to the EFI factory setups. As far as handling HP, the ODs are not as tough as the old school C6's are and way more money to fix. As far as AC goes, I'd poke around the Rod and Custom or Classic Truck magazines for aftermarket AC units. Lot's of people fix up the oldies and retrofit AC. I believe that there are several underdash kits to be had. I'm not much help w/ AC and 4X4 having neither in my trucks.

BBT

 

I'm in the process of putting an EFI 460 w/ E4OD into a 73 F250. Even though the E4OD has four speeds, the column shift for it only has three forward selections. This means that an old C4/C6 column should shift it just fine. There is a seperate overdrive lockout switch that needs to be placed someplace on the dash.

I got most of the parts for this swap from a wrecked donor. I stripped the donor down to the frame (and then some). I now have a garage full of parts.

Ludis

 

If you select the 460, you can put an older Timing chain drive gear, (72 and older) and get a small increase, also Summit Racing has a fairly mild cam and lifters for $80 bucks.

Any more horspower than that and you'll be breaking some expensive stuff, way out in the woods somewhere

So if your making a decision on which big heavy Iron to use in your 4X4, go for the Big Torquer, the 460.