I bought a 77' XLT to be a parts truck and it just happened to come with a 460 in it. Having a 302 in mine, of course, made me think about an engine swap. The engine is a 74' as close as I can tell. The 4300 on top still had the plate on it reading D4VE-AB. I think that is a 74' model and I have no reason to think it did not come with the engine originally. The engine is still in the XLT so I will have to wait until I pull it out in a week or two to verify exactly what it is. My question is this: what should I look for in terms of things to replace during the rebuild? This will be my first rebuild but I have tons of people to help if need be. I just want to say I have rebuilt the engine in my truck myself. My budget is limited due to a wife that has a saying "If you can't live in it, or eat it, it is a waste of money", but what is necessary to have replaced, I will try to use quality parts. Hopefully, it will just need refreshing. The PO said it ran fine two years ago when it was parked due to tranny problems. I will put a new cam and timing gears/chain in it and a gasket set. I will also check the cylinders and and pistons for wear. What else should I look for and replace while I have it out of the truck. It will probably just sit on the engine stand for a while until I put it in my truck so there isn't a rush. Speaking of engine stands, what capacity should I get to hold this thing? The headwork, if any, that needs to be done will be handled by a pretty well-known race shop my uncle owns, so I won't have to sell the farm for that anyway. I also know we have an engine rebuild forum, as well as a 429-460 forum, and the mods can move this if they need to, I just thought you guys would have a lot of knowledge with these model engines and some of the quirks to look for. Thanks for reading all this blubber and any help would be appreciated.

 

If it runs first thing to do is a compression test.

This will determine the condition of each cylinder

Knowing that if you just rebuild the top end, you will later be rebuilding the bottom end.

If it needs boring out the $$$$$ amount climbs

are you prepared to spend at least $2500.00 ?

 

The first thing I did was rebuild the carb. I am going to put it back on this weekend and take a new battery with me as well. I have to leave it at my Brother's home due to strict HOA rules where I live. This will be the first time I actually try to fire it up. And to answer your question, no, I will not spend $2500 rebuilding this engine. I am fortunate enough not to have to pay for machining and even if I do a complete rebuild, I will stay pretty stock except for the head work which, as I said before, will be of no charge, as will be the other machining that is required. Hopefully it will fire up at least to give me some idea what I have to work with. I will probably only run it long enough to check the compression and then pull it out. Thanks for your help. I do appreciate the response since I don't really know what I'm in for in there. I am sure I will be speaking with you again. Thanks for the heads up.

 

I spent about $3500 on my 460 but that includes a Demon carb, Air Gap intake and L&L headers. And boring and decking. Thats a real good portion of that right there.
I've built some budget 302s that ran great and I see no reason why you cant do that with a 460. I'd say most of the engines I've taken apart still had the honing marks visible in the cylinders and a nice looking crank shaft. I would say there is a good chance you can just hone the cylinders, replace the bearings, rings, oil pump, timing chain and have a very nice engine for cheap. Northern Auto has some low cost kits that use name brand stuff. Have you tried to run the 460 as is? It might not need a rebuild, I've had great luck with junkyard engines as well.

 

I'm hoping you're right about the budget build. I have not tried to start it yet. I am going to give it a try this weekend. I really want to tear it down for the experience. It is just something I have never done despite most of my friends working in the racing industry. I will replace everything associated with a standard rebuild kit as you mentioned above including cam, timing chain, pistons, and the other goodies. I have seen kits for $500 or so. I don't know how good the quality is but this truck will not be driven hard or do any towing besides maybe a 4x6 trailer with a lawnmower on it. As a matter of fact, it will be driven very little. It was my Dad's so I wanted to restore it like he would have wanted. It just feels nice to drive it. Thanks for the shot of encouragement. I appreciate it.

 

Last year I sold a nice 68 thunderjet motor with a 460 crank and cj spec heads that I had been dragging around for 25 years waiting for the next transplant. Just have patience and you will find a deal. Good luck.