Identifying compatible 460 cylinder head

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Oct 2, 2012 | 08:29 PM

Rovernut

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Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2012

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From: Georgia

Identifying compatible 460 cylinder head

I can get, assuming they have one, a cylinder head for under $50 at the junk yard so since I need to replace my exhaust manifold gasket I figured I pick up a spare head in case a stud/bolt snaps off and have it ready to swap in.

So...how can I easily identify a 460 and what years would be compatible with my '85 carburetor 460?

Oct 3, 2012 | 09:08 AM

Rovernut

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Laughing Gas

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From: Georgia

I thought I could just take a VIN chart with me to the junk yard, but looking at the decoders, the ones that list the various values for the digits, all the ones I've found list the 8th digit 'L' as a 351, but mine is an 'L' and the Ford site decoder says it's a 460, which it is.
My owners manual says 'G'=351 and 'L'=460, I guess I'll go with that.

Will the head from any 80's carburetor equipped 460 work on my '85, or is there something else I need to check for?

Oct 3, 2012 | 09:27 AM

ctubutis

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From: Denver Metro Area, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rovernut

Here is from the FoMoCo 1980/89 Light Truck Master Parts Catalog; there are two codes for a 460 - one for carb, one for EFI:

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Oct 3, 2012 | 09:28 AM

ctubutis

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From: Denver Metro Area, CO

For your specific engine questions, you might get a faster response here:

Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460) - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Oct 3, 2012 | 11:49 AM

big vann

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From: BC Cana'duh

460 head casting # is above the exhaust ports.There will be four characters

3VE,E_VE.Not sure about 80's castings.Mine are C9VE.Just match to the J/Y head.The reality is that carb 460 heads all flow similar.The differences are rocker arm mounting(pedestal vs stud mount)and EFI heads are different castings from carb.They DO NOT interchange.Heads up to 1970 had smaller combustion chambers 75cc early style vs 95cc in 1973 and up.Stay away from D2VE castings.

Oct 3, 2012 | 01:08 PM

Rovernut

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 1,100

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From: Georgia

Thanks for the replys.
Doing some googling it appears that around '84 the casting number was moved to the underside of the head, so I have no idea what mine number is.

Given that, would I be pretty safe getting a 460 head from say any '84-'86 F series pickup or E series van? As long as it was carb equipped.
It's one of those pull the parts yourself so I'm trying to get the best odds before spending the time pulling a head.

Also, are the right and left heads the same?

Oct 3, 2012 | 06:13 PM

big vann

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From: BC Cana'duh

I know 302,351W have the casting # on the underside,but I don't believe the BBF are like that.Just look at your engine to verify.The casting # is right on top of the exhaust port and below the valve cover.Also,pull a valve cover and verify rocker arm style.EFI heads won't work with a carb intake.L & R are the same.Van 460 is the same but a PITA to remove the heads.