I was thinking about yanking my 330 out of my N-600 and installing a 460 with a C-6 that I have laying around. I wonder if the C-6 would hold up with a 6:33 axle ratio? I could install a gear vendors O/D unit to slow it down more. It seems like a 460 and C-6 combo would make the truck way more lively, I mean,man is this thing slow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Well it can be done, but first you need to figure out what you are going to do with the truck? Carry a load as it was originally intended to? Or just a play truck? Sat night cruiser?


If so, and you live in any kind of hilly territory where you might be starting loaded uphill, then that C6 will NOT have a low enough first gear to get a load moving on any significant hill from a standing start. Simply put, you would just not have the gear spread needed. I guess a aftermarket gear venders UNDERDRIVE would get the gearing low enough, but at that cost, why not just put a older 5 or 6 speed transmatic in it, they can be found still used, and as well, rebuild.


As a benefit over a C6, all MT Allison 6 speeds have full torque converter lockup available in ALL foreword (yes, even first gear!) gears, therefore in steady speed operation you will not loose any fuel mileage over a manual, the C6 has no TQ lockup in any gear, so it is always slipping a bit.


If it is just a fun truck that never sees loads as it was intended to, then I think the C6 by itself would be fine.


FYI, Ford did use the C6 in some of the 500 / 600 series in the 70's, but only with limited payload packages AND with a two speed as a alternative to more expensive 5 or 6 speed transmatic (Allison) that has the proper gear spread needed for starting loads in all conditions


As to the 460, these were never used in any medium duty truck, the compression ratio is too high to keep detonation in check, even if timing is reduced and they will not have as long as life as other more suitable true medium duty truck engines, BUT again this is if the truck sees any significant loads, a fun little play truck for sat night cruises would be fun with a 460 and it sure would be faster.


Food for thought


David

 

Hello David and thank you for your insight, something to consider here before I start. The truck does have a 2 speed axle so that might help. I would also like to make a car hauler out of it so it have to carry about 5000 lbs max. Thanks, Greg.

 

C6's installed in F600's with FT engines 1970/78.

460: 1968/78 Lincoln/Continental Marks; 1972/76 Thunderbird; Misc. 1973/78 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars; 1973/76 F100; 1973/79 F250/350; 1975/79 F150; 1975/97 E250/350; 1982/97 F250/350.

Look at your FT engine mounts (pic at left-upper), no 460 used this same engine mounting system (1973/79 F100/350 pic at right-upper).

 

Thanks for the heads up here Bill, I didn't think about the engine mounts on the 460. Either I will have to fab up some kind of mounts for the 460 or modify the 330 that is in it. Mucho Gracias!

 

FT: 330 2V M/D; 330 2V H/D; 361 2V & 4V (1974/78); 391 4V

However, you will require a C6 that is specific to one of these engines or from a 1973/76 F100/350 360/390.

 

370 and 429 in the medium duty Fseries shared a lot with the 460, can't remember if they had the same castings in the block for different mount points. 370/429 were used pre 1980 so there might be a set of engine mounts that will work for you.


haven't work at the Ford truck dealer since they sold out to Fartliner and became Starlings


the stall rpm on the medium duty TCs were lower than in light truck and automotive. lots of variables with the swap you are planning> but it can be done!

 

Thanks 68 Merc, I can use all the information I can get before I start this project. I'm sure I will have many more question here in the next few weeks. Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Greg.

 

370/429 similar engine mounting system as FT's, which were cancelled at the end of the 1978 model run.

Pics: Left & Right lower.