390 vs. 429/460
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 3
From: Joliet, Illinois
In favor of the FE, the low, medium, and high rise heads offered from the factory were rather sweet options, and as for the "no replacement for displacement" statement, if you got a 427 block @ a 4.23 bore and installed the 428 @ a 3.984 crank, you could get just under 450 cid with the standard bore
4.23 X 3.984 = 448
and with the recommended maximum .030 over bore gets you
4.26 X 3.984 = 454
That's only 6 cid shy of the stock 460.
4.36x3.85 = 460
Install the high rise heads, intake, and a few other go fast goodies and I think a 454 FE could give the 460 one H3LL of a run!
Stroking the 460 is another thing!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Well.
In favor of the FE, the low, medium, and high rise heads offered from the factory were rather sweet options, and as for the "no replacement for displacement" statement, if you got a 427 block @ a 4.23 bore and installed the 428 @ a 3.984 crank, you could get just under 450 cid with the standard bore
4.23 X 3.984 = 448
and with the recommended maximum .030 over bore gets you
4.26 X 3.984 = 454
That's only 6 cid shy of the stock 460.
4.36x3.85 = 460
Stroking the 460 is another thing!
In favor of the FE, the low, medium, and high rise heads offered from the factory were rather sweet options, and as for the "no replacement for displacement" statement, if you got a 427 block @ a 4.23 bore and installed the 428 @ a 3.984 crank, you could get just under 450 cid with the standard bore
4.23 X 3.984 = 448
and with the recommended maximum .030 over bore gets you
4.26 X 3.984 = 454
That's only 6 cid shy of the stock 460.
4.36x3.85 = 460
Stroking the 460 is another thing!
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,481
Likes: 2,801
Well.
In favor of the FE, the low, medium, and high rise heads offered from the factory were rather sweet options, and as for the "no replacement for displacement" statement, if you got a 427 block @ a 4.23 bore and installed the 428 @ a 3.984 crank, you could get just under 450 cid with the standard bore
4.23 X 3.984 = 448
and with the recommended maximum .030 over bore gets you
4.26 X 3.984 = 454
That's only 6 cid shy of the stock 460.
4.36x3.85 = 460
Install the high rise heads, intake, and a few other go fast goodies and I think a 454 FE could give the 460 one H3LL of a run!
Stroking the 460 is another thing!
In favor of the FE, the low, medium, and high rise heads offered from the factory were rather sweet options, and as for the "no replacement for displacement" statement, if you got a 427 block @ a 4.23 bore and installed the 428 @ a 3.984 crank, you could get just under 450 cid with the standard bore
4.23 X 3.984 = 448
and with the recommended maximum .030 over bore gets you
4.26 X 3.984 = 454
That's only 6 cid shy of the stock 460.
4.36x3.85 = 460
Install the high rise heads, intake, and a few other go fast goodies and I think a 454 FE could give the 460 one H3LL of a run!
Stroking the 460 is another thing!
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Haiku, Hawaii
if we're talking about 4x4 though....
and i've got an NP205 t-case...what's performing better at 0-30 mph...more torque and power?
I understand that the 460 without a doubt is gonna outrun the 390 on the highway or race settings....but whatabout street and off road??
tuning, efi and cam all the same let's just say or at least setup the engines with this in mind....
Am i missing something here or just pulling for the 390???
and i've got an NP205 t-case...what's performing better at 0-30 mph...more torque and power?
I understand that the 460 without a doubt is gonna outrun the 390 on the highway or race settings....but whatabout street and off road??
tuning, efi and cam all the same let's just say or at least setup the engines with this in mind....
Am i missing something here or just pulling for the 390???
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 3
From: Joliet, Illinois
"Built in the same manner" would not mean a custom, high performance 390 or 427--now that you're talking 4.23 bore, it's not a 390--vs. a stock 460. I can find enough stuff on line in 90 seconds to do the same things to a 460, bringing it up in true mountain motor territory, and far outpowering your examples.
Have some respect for your elders!
Don't make grandpa go get his walker and run your toe over!
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,481
Likes: 2,801
As for low end and drivability, again, if you build both engines the same way, the 460 has more low end and both drive just fine.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 1
From: Axtell, TX
if we're talking about 4x4 though....
and i've got an NP205 t-case...what's performing better at 0-30 mph...more torque and power?
I understand that the 460 without a doubt is gonna outrun the 390 on the highway or race settings....but whatabout street and off road??
tuning, efi and cam all the same let's just say or at least setup the engines with this in mind....
Am i missing something here or just pulling for the 390???
and i've got an NP205 t-case...what's performing better at 0-30 mph...more torque and power?
I understand that the 460 without a doubt is gonna outrun the 390 on the highway or race settings....but whatabout street and off road??
tuning, efi and cam all the same let's just say or at least setup the engines with this in mind....
Am i missing something here or just pulling for the 390???
It's not as cool though!
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Swapping from a 400 to either an FE or 429/460 really comes down to which parts are more easily sourced. For pre-79 trucks, the FE stuff is far more plentiful (mounts/towers/radiator&hoses/accesorries&brackets) whereas the 80+ trucks have more 460 parts available.
Some of the newer 80+ parts can be used for assisting a 460 swap into an older truck, but not all.
Of course, the 400 shares the bellhousing pattern with the 429/460, so that takes away one hurdle right off the bat.
I agree with sleepy though, the FE is cooler, even if it doesn't have quite the power potential of a well built 460.
Some of the newer 80+ parts can be used for assisting a 460 swap into an older truck, but not all.
Of course, the 400 shares the bellhousing pattern with the 429/460, so that takes away one hurdle right off the bat.
I agree with sleepy though, the FE is cooler, even if it doesn't have quite the power potential of a well built 460.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
The FE is cooler and more retro. I'm running a 428 cj in my mustang. However if not trying to stay stock or period correct the 385 block has many more options available at better prices. 460 ci. stock is much cheaper than bringing a 428 to 460 ci standards. Do the math and determine what your end goal is.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 3
From: Joliet, Illinois
The FE is cooler and more retro. I'm running a 428 cj in my mustang. However if not trying to stay stock or period correct the 385 block has many more options available at better prices. 460 ci. stock is much cheaper than bringing a 428 to 460 ci standards. Do the math and determine what your end goal is.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 0
From: victoria
yup just the little single right now ..but I do have a duel mixer I want to try after I get a locker for the rear ..that should find the next weak part..for the record ..I LIKE MY 428 !!! and my 7.3 diesel .and the crappy little 1600 cc in my ford Anglia was fun too..build what you want ..enjoy.. don't waste time you can play with getting annoyed with someones preference,your motor your choice ..enjoy ..I am gonna go play with my 54'flathead..all 239 cubic inches...lol...
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 708
Likes: 1
That's kind of surprise. I've got most of the stuff to do a propane conversion on a 400, but was wondering how to let that much motor breathe because I just want to use a single Impco 425 to keep things simple. Was thinking of just leaving the motor a 351M to prevent undercarburetion even though I didn't really want to do that. Your 428 feel like it runs out of air before it does cam?