I have a running 460 sitting in a 86 f250. I am swapping it into a 79 f250. I want a strong motor without putting a ton of money into it. What are some suggestions on what the best bang for my buck?

 

depends on what your definition on not a ton of money. less then 500, 1k, 2k?

some of the cheapest things you can do is to change the timing chain set out to a straight up set from a pre 72 car or an aftermarket set. that is one of the cheapest otpions that makes a noticeable differnence.

other options are an aluminum intake (more for weight savings as they don't really make a huge differnence on a stock engine), re-curve the distributor, either a holley or edelbrock 600cfm carb that are more adjustable then the factory carb (probably a Ford Holley hybrid carb), headers, dual exhaust. those are some of the basics to do to a stock engine.

these engines from the factory are pretty low compression (around 8 or 8.5:1) and have very restrictive exhaust ports on them, so to make real power (like 400+ hp) you have to tear the engine down and start replacing and modifying parts.

so without knowing your budget, the cheapest is the timing chain replacement option.

rgds
Mike

 

I'm thinking anywhere between 500 to 1000. It will have headers and a good exhaust I'm not counting that into the amount i spend on the engine.

 

I've done just what Mike stated with good results.

My 460 is out of a 76. The timing gear was toast so I put in a good set from Cloyes for about $60. Put on a Weiand Stealth intake with a Holley 750. I also have Hooker Headers with a true dual exhuast.

Looking back, I think I would have rather gone with a set of mid-length headers as the full length dump right in front of the transmission cross member and make running the exhuast from there a mess. I think I would rather go with an Edlebrock 1406 carb as well.

The intake and carb ran about $700 so all that will keep you in the same range.

Not sure what ingnition you are running...but might want to consider going to a DSII, if that's not what you have. I think the 460's from that year was still running the DSII but don't know for sure. If your current carb is computer controlled, then by going to an aftermarket carb, may casue you problems if you don't go to the DSII

 

There is no computer control on the carb. I don't know yet what the ignition system is because I haven't started to pull the engine yet.