Well, Guys I'm back after nearly a year. I'll refresh everyone with the situation: I took a 429 and a 460 to a local engine builder with the order of as much horsepower as he could get out of the block. He said that with the parts i gave him we could see 500 hp at our 6000 ft above sea level and 600 at sealevel with proper tuning and equipment. It took him 5 years to build the engine, I paid him $5000 in cash within the first year and a half, he completed the project, after losing my valve covers and oil pan, I put it in my 78 f250 4x4, It leaks oil, has no power at all, won't even spin the tires on wet grass with a 2100 stall converter, I have put a 1405 Edelbrock, a 1407 edelbrock with hiflow needle and seat, and now a holley 670 truck avenger that runs the best so far, and 3 distributors, the latest with a recurve kit, I took it to the builder and he fixed the oil leak, but can't find the problem. talked to him today and he was getting into the cam to see what was in there. I said i would keep everyone updated and this is the last I've heard, thanks for all of the previous advice and sorry for being out of touch for so long.

 

Wow, I can imagine your disappointment...that's a lot of money, it should have bought a lot of hp, close to 450 anyway

 

I run bigger carb than this but 750 a good start. I run a heavy 4wd with less stall. What heads are you running?? compression? drop a message. what is your elevation? I live at 4000'. to Make a 600hrspwr bigblock at this elevation your gonna need some good heads and compression. Elevation is a hrspwr killer around 6% per 1000' on estimated hrspwr. So if 500 hrspwr at 4000' around 90hrspwr loss or more. I run my truck at 8000'+ often and their isn't any air. Compression is the trick to running at higher elevation. Catch you later and drop a message. Have more info on carbs if your serious. I don't run the edlebrocks. holley type design carbs and a few tricks.

 

What pistons ? What heads ?

 

This is the motor that I'm looking to buy, maybe this fall.

Ford 460 CI Big Block 385 Series 400HP 475FT/LBS TQ

Block
Bored and honed with torque plate
460 D9 casting block
Premium core max .040 bore. No repairs. No sleeves

Cylinder Heads
OE Heads Converted for Screw in studs and adjustable rockers
Hardened Locks and retainers
2.08 in 1.64 ex stainless Valves
HP Springs
3 angle competition valve job

Valve Train
Comp cam 224/224 519/519 110 lobe sep
HP Lifters
Cloyes True Double Roller timing chain
Adjustable Stud Mounted rockers
Screw in Studs and Guide plates

Rotating Assembly
Hypereutectic Speed Pro pistons 9.8:1 Compression
OE rods with ARP bolts
OE crank 10/10
Factory Balanced rotating assembly
Moly Rings
external balance
Intake and Tinware
Fel Pro Performance Gaskets
Weiand Stealth Intake
Professional Products Balancer
Front Sump Oil pan
Chrome Valve Covers
New OE style Universal cover
OE Flex plate
Assembled with all grade 8 hardware.

Dyno testing at an additional fee<table border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><form target="cart" action="http://ww9.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm" method="POST"><input name="units" value="2" type="hidden"><input name="price" value="4099" type="hidden"><input name="product" value="Ford 460 CI Big Block 385 Series 400HP 475FT/LBS TQ" type="hidden"><input name="userid" value="B9141864" type="hidden"><input src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/x-click-but23.gif" name="submit" alt="All payments are secure!" type="image" border="0"></form></td><td valign="top" width="286">Crate Engine Cost: $4,099
</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"><form target="cart" action="http://ww9.aitsafe.com/cf/add.cfm" method="POST"><input name="units" value="2" type="hidden"><input name="price" value="6099" type="hidden"><input name="product" value="Ford 460 CI Big Block 385 Series 400HP 475FT/LBS TQ" type="hidden"><input name="userid" value="B9141864" type="hidden"><input src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/x-click-but23.gif" name="submit" alt="All payments are secure!" type="image" border="0"></form></td></tr></tbody></table>




and if I win lotto. ha ha

Ford 520 CI Big Block 385 Series 725HP 670FT/LBS TQ

Block
460 D9 casting block
Premium core max. No repairs. No sleeves

Cylinder Heads
Edelbrock CJ victor heads
5 angle competition valve job
ARP Head Bolts
Fel Pro Performance Head Gaskets

Valve Train
Comp Cam 275/284 806/763 108 mechanical roller
Comp locks and titanium retainers
Manley 2.190 in 1.760 ex stainless Valves
Comp 1.645 OD Triple springs
Comp Mechanical roller lifters
Billet double roller timing set with Torrington bearing
Comp Pro Magnum Roller rockers
7/16 Screw in Studs and Guide plates
Comp Hardened Push rods
Comp Stud Girdle

Rotating Assembly
JE Forged Pistons 12.8:1 CR
Eagle 4340 Forged Crank
Eagle 4340 H beam rods
Balanced rotation assembly within 1 gram
Speed pro file fit Moly Rings
Clevite H series Bearings
Externally balanced

Intake and Tinware
Edelbrock Super Victor Manifold for Dominator
Professional Products SFI balancer
Milodon Front sump Drag Oil pan
Ford Racing Aluminum Valve covers
New Aluminum Front cover
OE flex Plate
Assembled with all grade 8 hardware.

Dyno testing at an additional fee

No Core Return Required



Crate Engine Cost: $13,999

 

5 years to build your engine!? Holy cow!


I had mine built a couple years ago to the tune of $3k total (the first machine shop actually screwed up the bore by .002...$300 wasted)

I estimate mine is putting out about 375HP/450TQ. Forged pistons, .030 over, D0VE heads, cam, intake. If something ever happens to this one, it's going to a 514.

I hate to hear about your troubles. Hopefully they can figure it out and man-up to his mistakes (if he made any). Good luck!

 

It has d3ve-a2a heads and the pistons, well, noone knows whats in there for that. They are supposed to be 10.5:1 but the part # on the build sheet is for a 8:1 piston The builder won't admit that it has the wrong pistons, but he says there is a big problem somewhere. There is page after page on this build a few months back and I was just updating everyone on what was happening. I will keep this guys feet to the fire until he finds the problem, if there is one, like said before. Any way, That is whats happening and if he starts to take another 2 or 3 years, then I will sue the sh%t out of him.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...tic-460-a.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...460-build.html

 

Well, if it were a documented build at that price he should have the balance sheet info where everything was weighed matched etc.. might give a clue on piston weight.They typically weigh within 2 grams of stated on the box. Any ideas of cranking pressures? Low compression or late cam timing would certainly adversely affect power. What is your Idle rpm and vacuum like ? Ignition timing has some influence on those numbers but we need a little more info to determine if it is really low on power. There are too many chassis variables and tuning possiblities.

 

Reading through this reinforces why I build my own engines. I get a good machinist to do the block work, then fit and assemble myself. My own, 100,000 + miles stock 460 will light all 4 tires on my dually with 3.55 gears and a stock C6.

 

I have similar thoughts, for the price it costs to pay someone, you can learn and build, and buy the tools. I did have a sbc one time that would not respond to any tuning. It was just a dog. I suspect mystery cam, low compression.. because I changed every other combination of parts. I even put a 144 blower on it and was not impressed. lol I guess I am spoiled to BBF.

 

What get's me is the time frame, just an insane amount of time going bye bye

 

Man if I didnt know any better I would swear you are using my "mechanic". It took 60 days to pull, take apart, reassemble, and reinstall a C6 in my 95 F250. Tranny works good. To bad the heads are shot. Still waiting to hear if and when he pulls the heads so I can have them checked. Just know you arent alone. You must have a lot of patience.

 

The cranking compression is about 145 psi. I thought that was low but who knows? I think it is a dog and there is definitely a problem. I have a 429 stocker that will blow it's doors off in neutral. I will try to update this more tomorrow.

 

Hate to divert you elsewhere but check out 460ford.com..lots of knowledge there as well.

Have you checked the timing, degreed the cam? Sounds like ignition timing is off or the cam wasnt degreed and is retarded. You can loose all you power in just that alone. But if it we're my motor, I'd demand the builder fix the "serious problem" as he put it.