400 VS 460
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
and just another 2cents- the gear vendors guys have a point- headers, heads, intake manifolds, carbs- they are all about making the engine work harder. Splitting gears is about getting more out of what you have- for my next project- I'm going to take a stock 75 camper special, leave the 360 stock (except for changing timing gears, and maybe rebuilding it to a 390), and try a gear vendor. Friend had one and his MPG was pretty good. They are pricey but no more than if you add up the cost of a manifold, carb, new linkages, headers, gaskets, & all the "while I've got it opened up" things- like tweaking porting, better power steering pump, water pump, yadayadayaday. fact is, trucks are barbies for men (or GI Joe's for me)- we spend more on the accessories than the ride.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,219
Likes: 190
From: Colorado Springs
Having had 3-4 of each of those...neither of them suck, both are reliable and super stout. The 460 kicks serious *** in any vehicle and will gladly accept abuse. A 400 is a little down in power, thats it. Either will give decades of reliability. Cooling in the desert southwest must be addressed with the 400 as it seems to run hot.
I always change my oil and run synthetic.
I always change my oil and run synthetic.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
I have a 400 and I will agree she runs hot but I wouldn't trade that engine for anything in the world. The aftermarket is difficult but definitely worth the search. Just my opinion but as long as its a ford im generally pretty happy
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Nassau Co. NY
For me it was silly to go through the trouble of the swap for what I do with the truck so I just went 400 with tmeyers flat tops and a mild cam. I've hauled some serious weight and never felt like the engine was struggling. I knew that I wasn't going to be dumping a bunch of power stuff into a truck so the aftermarket thing was no big deal. One con is that it wants 89 octane or better and at 8-10 mpg that gets pricey. I haven't had any issues with it running hot but I'm in NY so the heat isn't too extreme.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
I have one of each in 4x4 applications and both have been great motors. It's true finding 400 stuff can be a pain but tmeyers makes some great stuff to make a mean 400, but than again it dont take much to make a 460 throw you back in your seat of a 7,000 lbs truck.. If I was going to choose I would go with the 460 first, second would be the 400
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
__Looks like i will be joining the 460 fans. I had three 79 s/cab F-150 work trucks and the 460 one would out do the 351m and 400 easy. They all used a lot of fuel and about the same, i just got more work out of the 460 with the same amount of fuel. I later put a 460 in a 79 bronco and really liked it. All of those are gone now and i'm down to a little 302 in a 74 F-100.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Southern Kentucky
my 79 460 with stock heads and intake and a quick fuel carb spins over my 37" IROK Swampers on DRY pavement with little or no effort in 2wd for thirty feet or so sideways....I will never own another 400. This 460 is a torque monster and therefore way more suited for working trucks and 4-bys
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
i asked my dad this question since hes had 3 460s and 2 400s in ford trucks 
he said the 400s get a lil better mpg but the 460s make up for it with tons more torque and more horsepower 
he said both his 400s had problems with low oil pressure and started knocking he said go 460 and dont look back 
he said the 400s get a lil better mpg but the 460s make up for it with tons more torque and more horsepower he said both his 400s had problems with low oil pressure and started knocking he said go 460 and dont look back
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
From: Near Gateway, Arkansas
Thanks for the input guys. That's what these forums are for and a great exchange of a wealth of knowledge is right here with ya'll. 460 it is. After watching the video on Spike TV it sure didn't take much to get some outstanding horse power and torque for not a lot of money.
I'm thinking a good inspection of the upper and lower ends of engine and replace the high wear items, seals, new timing chain, cam, plugs & wires, new intake and carburetor. Flush the radiator and have it tested. Pray the headers on the engine in the 2WD truck will fit in the 4X4 (probably not) and obtain the conversion mounts from Bronco Graveyard.
I'm thinking a good inspection of the upper and lower ends of engine and replace the high wear items, seals, new timing chain, cam, plugs & wires, new intake and carburetor. Flush the radiator and have it tested. Pray the headers on the engine in the 2WD truck will fit in the 4X4 (probably not) and obtain the conversion mounts from Bronco Graveyard.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 2
From: wyoming
460 makes great power! Butt?
what are you expecting for power? just recently built a 400 over a 460. I like my 460's and ran for over 25 yrs and still running. But once i start upgrading my 460's my truck reliability went away. driveline issues and yokes and clutch issues. i have since upgraded everything and later learned the engine was the cheap part compared to the drivetrain issues. I have pretty much broke everything in my ford in 3/4 ton drivetrain. I have now upgraded everything axles and drive lines yokes and engine mounts and cracked frames, f150 frames. broke trannys/bellhousing rounded splines on 205 transfercase. so you gain something and lose something. first had a serious 429 and then later went 472 and then later 521". I'm now back to the 472 close to 500ish on 91octane. My C6 is a lot easier on drivetrain compared to 4 speed also. Hard to make power at high elevation 4000'+ in wyoming all the time. Truck still runs strong and love it with big block but have learned alot. Its my big blue in avatar. tore a lot up on 35" tires first. Just something to consider and how much you got to spend is the question!!
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