I bought a basket case 1976 460 and was wondering which book would anyone recommend as a good assembly manual? This is my first Ford big block motor and I want to make sure I am putting it back together correctly.

Thanks!

Craig

 

I would recommend you get your hands on both a Chilton's manual AND a Haynes manual. Both run about $15-$20, depending where you are. They both contain pretty good information and somewhat easy to read pictorials. The reason I say get both is because where one book is lacking on a topic, the other usually has it. Haynes is more for the beginner oriented, whereas Chilton's tends to go a little more in depth, but like I said, each is lacking in some areas, and usually where one doesn't have information, the other should. Hope this helps some, good luck with your build.

Ryan

 

I'd definitely recommend the book: How To Rebuild Your Ford V-8 351C, 351M, 400, 429, 460 by Tom Monroe. It's available in the online store: [link: motorhaven.autoanything.com|Motorhaven.com] and it covers specifically the 385 series (429/460) as well as the 335 series (351C/351M/400). It has lots of tips for rebuilding and installing the engines as well as a guide to identifying the different components by casting codes and a basic tune up section.

 

Or do like I did...this was my 1st Ford rebuild, too....I took pictures of each dis-assembly step and bought LOTZ of styrofoam cups from Walmart. When it came time to reinstall the monster, I just went through my pictures (and videos).....I have about 3 - 400 pictures - the memory stick will hold 700 images!!...

Good luck....

 

You're right Bill, I totally forgot about that. I was just thinking along the lines of commercial all purpose entire truck/engine/transmission books, but that one is definately gonna help much more, being engine specific, and for that particular engine. I'd go that route, too. But it never hurts to have the other two when it comes to electrical/other truck components, such as where the bolts go and which direction the brackets face to replace that rear bumper that the truck never came with when you bought it used....hehe

Ryan

 

If you're going to be spending $30-$40 for aftermarket books I would suggest that you spend $15 more and get the FORD Original Shop Manual on CD and have the info right from the Horse's mouth.

Don't get me wrong about the others as they are Okay (together)
But the Original Ford Book to me is the way to go.
I also agree big time about Tom Monroe's Book as I used it to do my Engine.


Dennis

78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles