Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Question about 1985 460

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 2, 2016 | 10:40 PM
  #1  
1972fordhighboy2's Avatar
1972fordhighboy2
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Socal
Question about 1985 460

Hi there I own a 85 f250 4X4 460 non catalyst 4 speed. It has been less than a year since I bought it. Gotta say the truck pulls hard it has lots of power, very impressive. But from my understanding 80s engines are chocked up with emissions. Looks like 460 specs are 245 HP 385 lb ft. So my question is the 460 really chocked up? I was surprised. How much power could I gain with an intake & headers. I could only imagine
 
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2016 | 11:41 PM
  #2  
WhatsAChevy?'s Avatar
WhatsAChevy?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 5
From: Northeast Ohio USA
Originally Posted by 1972fordhighboy2
Hi there I own a 85 f250 4X4 460 non catalyst 4 speed. It has been less than a year since I bought it. Gotta say the truck pulls hard it has lots of power, very impressive. But from my understanding 80s engines are chocked up with emissions. Looks like 460 specs are 245 HP 385 lb ft. So my question is the 460 really chocked up? I was surprised. How much power could I gain with an intake & headers. I could only imagine
Being from So.Cal. , You should be well aware of emission restraints. Keep in mind, what you dump into the top end...the bottom end needs to be capable of processing it. "You can eat what You want....but...can You digest it?
 
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2016 | 05:56 AM
  #3  
CountryBumkin's Avatar
CountryBumkin
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 5
From: Orlando area
The bottom end on a BB Ford is very stout. The crank can handle up to 1000 HP stock. The weak link is the rod bolts. So if you were doing a mild rebuild, putting in a set of quality ARP rod bolts is a must. It's cheap insurance.


The heads have a very poor flowing exhaust port. Intake is not too bad. Some grinding work on the exhaust port is necessary to improve flow. Better yet, put on some aluminum heads (then you can bump up compression by just using a head with smaller combustion chambers).


Camshaft is not suited for any performance. You want a cam with a duration around 210 to 220 degrees (at .050" tappet lift) and a valve lift around .500".


Lastly, add a nice dual-plane low-rise manifold and 4bbl carb, and you have a nice running truck.


With just intake and headers (and a decent carb) you might see up to 10 HP increase.
 
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2016 | 03:09 PM
  #4  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by 1972fordhighboy2
Hi there I own a 85 f250 4X4 460 non catalyst 4 speed. It has been less than a year since I bought it. Gotta say the truck pulls hard it has lots of power, very impressive. But from my understanding 80s engines are chocked up with emissions. Looks like 460 specs are 245 HP 385 lb ft. So my question is the 460 really chocked up? I was surprised. How much power could I gain with an intake & headers. I could only imagine
Like was mentioned, you location stops you from doing very much. You have to take it in and they go over it for emissions correct? I am surprised they even let you keep it and drive it. I expect them to start paying you not to drive it. Remember "cash for clunkers"?
 
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2016 | 06:30 PM
  #5  
1972fordhighboy2's Avatar
1972fordhighboy2
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Socal
Originally Posted by Franklin2
Like was mentioned, you location stops you from doing very much. You have to take it in and they go over it for emissions correct? I am surprised they even let you keep it and drive it. I expect them to start paying you not to drive it. Remember "cash for clunkers"?
Yes the government will pay you to junk your car IF the vehicle doesn't pass smog.But there are ways to go around this if the vehicle doesn't pass.
 
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2016 | 06:37 PM
  #6  
1972fordhighboy2's Avatar
1972fordhighboy2
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Socal
Originally Posted by CountryBumkin
The bottom end on a BB Ford is very stout. The crank can handle up to 1000 HP stock. The weak link is the rod bolts. So if you were doing a mild rebuild, putting in a set of quality ARP rod bolts is a must. It's cheap insurance.


The heads have a very poor flowing exhaust port. Intake is not too bad. Some grinding work on the exhaust port is necessary to improve flow. Better yet, put on some aluminum heads (then you can bump up compression by just using a head with smaller combustion chambers).


Camshaft is not suited for any performance. You want a cam with a duration around 210 to 220 degrees (at .050" tappet lift) and a valve lift around .500".


Lastly, add a nice dual-plane low-rise manifold and 4bbl carb, and you have a nice running truck.


With just intake and headers (and a decent carb) you might see up to 10 HP increase.
. I am considering buying an intake, headers, and aluminum heads for now. I looked at summit & trick flow has heads but not sure which one , so many options. Will I need to put stronger rod bolts ?
 
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2016 | 06:43 PM
  #7  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
You only need to beef up the bottom end if you are going to rev it high in the upper rpms. If you are going to drive it normally, not over 5000 rpm, the bottom end should be strong enough.

Aluminum heads are going to wake that engine up.
 
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2016 | 06:48 PM
  #8  
1972fordhighboy2's Avatar
1972fordhighboy2
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Socal
Originally Posted by Franklin2
You only need to beef up the bottom end if you are going to rev it high in the upper rpms. If you are going to drive it normally, not over 5000 rpm, the bottom end should be strong enough.

Aluminum heads are going to wake that engine up.
will I be able to use the stock camshaft. And then upgrade later on ?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Oct 4, 2016 | 10:39 AM
  #9  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by 1972fordhighboy2
will I be able to use the stock camshaft. And then upgrade later on ?
Yes. The new heads should make your valve train adjustable (from the factory it is not) so you can run any camshaft you choose, just redo the valve lash after installation.
 
Reply
Old Oct 4, 2016 | 12:15 PM
  #10  
Plowboy34's Avatar
Plowboy34
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
From: SE Missouri
if you put in a straight up timing chain and gears with the intake and headers I believe you would be surprised how much better it pulls. If you know anything about porting just knock the smog bump off the exhaust side and you will be golden, but yes a better cam with all this will make it even more golden. She will definitely walk the dog.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CRUNKED77FORD
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
18
Nov 25, 2017 05:58 PM
happyheber
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
5
Apr 4, 2013 09:30 PM
mike240zt
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
2
Oct 25, 2009 04:34 PM
jamies460
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
15
Dec 27, 2005 07:22 PM
Fordever2
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
6
Feb 3, 2005 08:16 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:08 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE