Just bought a non running '84 E-350 Van, with a 460/C6, Did a compression check and the engine is how I expected, not good, no carburetor either. So my question is what year(s) of the 460 can I drop in in it's place? All of the accesories are driven off seperate belts (eg. no serpentine belt).

Any 460 should have enough power for me, so better fuel economy (if that exists) with a 460 would be my choice.

Can I put a later fuel injected model, or would that be a pain, require too many changes. Thanks!

 

i would get any year 460 BUT a efi. if you go with an early 460(78 and back) you will need to get the flxplate for that engine too, because the later ones were externally balanced(like yours). the efi swap requires the computer and all related wiring harnesses and you may have to swap a different tank in with a in tank pump then a high pressure booster frame mounted pump. i would stick to non efi applications to ease the swap. get it running first before you decide to go efi. anyway, good luck and hope this was clear

mike

 

you could look for a 351M or 400, They will bolt right up if looking for a bit better mileage.

 

I don't think you could use the engine mounts from the 460 to the 335 series engine.

 

Thanks for the info everyone!... I had the same thoughts on EFI from my '88 E150 302. For ease I will stick with the carb and get an early engine. Will I save a lot on mileage going with a smaller engine (351 etc) or will it be underpowered for a loaded E350 4x4 ambulance 9100lbs GVRW?

Anyone have any advice on where to get a rebuilt long block? Either shipped to me or locally Southern California? What is a good price? ~1200$?

Thanks!

 

I bought a nice running 460 from Rancho Ford Parts in Sacramento. $1000 delivered to Oregon. I had it in 5 days. I get 8-9 around town and near 11 on the hilly highways around here. I wouldn't do the small engine with that much weight. I put a new timing set in mine and resealed it and it works great. I have a few pictures in my gallery.

 

asander: If you are in Southern California, get your tools together, get a buddy or two, and head over to a Pick Your Part or Ecology Auto Wrecking yard. You should have no problem finding a 460 in a van. If you get the complete engine, you'll get out the door for less than $200. From my one trip that area's wrecking yards, the Riverside yards are better than the ones in LA.

Of course, you'll have to take your chances on a used engine. For a donor vehicle, pick a work van that is in the wrecking yard because of the bad economy.

 

Hmm, That's not a bad idea, I always assumed that the vans that ended up in the junkyard ended up there mostly because the engine gave out. I guess there could be tons of other reasons and the blocks may be just fine. I will definetly look into that. Any possibility of bringing a battery or something to try and do a compression test first? Or is this frowned upon?

What about swapping a naturally aspirated 6.9 or 7.3 diesel instead of the 460? How many changes would I need to make regarding the bell housing, fuel pump, and other accesories? Any good sources for those?

Thanks in advance!

 

Like ludis said, look in the wrecking yard for one in a van. I found a engine for a pick up in a panel van that had backed into something and done alot of dammage to the back, but had an excelent engine. Also had the most fun I have had in a long time getting it. No worry about lost bolts or dammage to the van as I pulled the motor. (hey, it was a D@dge!)

 

Nobody wants used vans.* For people moving, they are big gas pigs. Those that don't mind paying for the gas are also willing to buy a new van. Work vans can be a tax deduction, so most companies will keep buying new. Hence used ones are really cheap. Plus, with the down economy, shops are downsizing and getting rid of their older vans. Look for a plumbers/electricians van that was driven 20 miles round trip a day.

The 460 is quite common in E350's. You can also find diesels in E350's, but they are a bit more rare in wrecking yards.

* Used pickups can always be used for dump runs, so people keep them around.

 

I have most everything to put a diesel in a van including the engine. Then you too could go deaf as I have from the unbearable noise and then you can also spend up to $2,000 a year to keep that POS running. This average is based on 10 years and 110,000 miles of ownership. The smoke will get you the looks too. Since no one can talk while your rig is within 50 feet of them you get to shut it off anytime anyone needs to talk so plan on a $200 starter and batteries about every other year. All this and you will get 11-12 mpg empty and 7-8 loaded. With 3.55’s the best tank ever was mostly down hill with the wind on the highway at 60 mph was 14.4 mpg. I have an 87 6.9 or a 7.3 from my 88. The front end will appreciate the additional 600 pounds. Keeps those front tires firmly glued to the pavement so they can be ground down with the best efficiency. What you don't save in fuel you can reach even deeper for some fuel additive to keep it rattling smoothly. 10 quarts of oil will get you started but plan on adding a few if you use it on the highway at all. The power is great as long as you don't want to tow anything over 2000 pounds otherwise you get to study the back of the other semis on the hills at 27 mph. They are safe to drive to as you will never get a speeding ticket as even going down hill top speed with the 4.10's is 74 mph before the governor cuts it back. If your good at the slingshot you can even pass anyone that will slow for you, that is if you have a couple miles of clear road ahead. In the winter the 1000 watt block heater only will cost you an extra 30 bucks or so on your power bill. It will start without it but it will really take its toll on you starter and batteries. All this load on your alternator will also have it smoking off the belts every other year. The fuel pump is on the block and needs no other. You may need to plumb in the return line to your tanks. That may require a special dual tank selector valve. Your tranny will need to be put into a diesel case or I have a good one on the 6.9 The 6.9 is still in a rig that you can drive and the 7.3 is on a transport stand ready to ship but it has a rod hanging out of one of the holes in the block. The top end and fuel system is fresh. I just spent $2,400 on it two months before it blew up. My whole 460 swap only cost about 2,500 and it gets almost the same for mileage. I’m selling this lifestyle change for the “best offer.” I am also will to break it up. I do seriously have some good pieces.

 

Hired Gun pretty well nailed it IMHO. Having had three diesels in the past, through MN & WI winters, one of my favorite quotes is: "There's a lot to be said for the volatility of gasoline."

The only way I'd go back is if I were doing a lot of mountain towing and could find a 96-97 Power Stroke with 3.55's in a nice low mileage truck.

 

The 460 trans should bolt right to a 7.3 or 6.9, I loved my 7.3.

 

The transmission is close but the gas and diesel cases are slightly different. I just did the swap.