I'll try to see this post updated over the next few months.
Just bought super clean F150 4WD, 460, C6, Factory air
I bought the truck and have been able to start it no problem. the truck was then shipped and I drove it about 1/4 mile. I have not yet got it on a lift or been able to tech inspect it other than surface and basic undercarriage

what I know so far:
The good -
- Very clean, no rust topside or underneath. Small amount of bubbling around seam sealer welds on cab. not visible unless up close
- already lifted 4", with new springs/shocks and 35" tires( still have nubs on treads)
- Transmission shifted properly in forward/reverse
- Interior needs zero work
- 460 big block. the motor I was looking for
- headers + dual exhaust

The bad - what I know so far after a very short drive
- The steering is way messed up. like broken messed up. the wheel will turn smoothly then bind up, then smooth again. on a low speed right turn i felt the right front wobble. tie-rod? steering linkage? u-joint? bound up steering stabilizer? those thinks could account for binding/freeing, but not what felt like the RF wheel wobble. I have an 06 F250 diesel on an 8" lift/with 37"s, so I know what it feels like when the balljoints & steering gearbox are shot. the F150 feels similar with loose steering, but not the binding and wheel wobble. this will need to be investigated first thing cuz the truck can't be driven safely.
- left from headlight out, but I'm replacing them anyway.

that's all the bad I know so far, but there is always more to find....

The plan:
- no body work
- no change in stance
- no change to interior
- install modern headlights
- install modern brakes
- Top end kit, thinking about an Edelbrock performer to make 500 or so hp
- i don't know if the current headers/exhaust will work with the new top end, so we will see.
- new carb. don't know what yet. will talk to engine builder about it
- truck already has a modern head-unit for radio. i don't care much so prob leave it
- maybe add vintage offload lights upfront
- add CB radio because I like them.

first up is getting the steering fixed and generally making truck roadworthy, including checkout of block and transmission. I will do this first before spending money on performance. If I find a prob with block, or if block is not original( no reason to think it isn't), I may go crate. but no sense in spending money on performance until I fix all the basics.

this is 4WD with mild stance and stock suspension. I won't change it when I increase HP. the truck will not be full street or full offroad. just a vintage/stock looking performer.

the truck is in Pittsburgh and I am still talking to a couple of shops about who will help me do the various work I intend. if anyone has any recommendations in the general Pittsburgh area, def let me know.

 

Ford NEVER put a 460 in a F150 in '78 So.........your motor is not the original.......Get that steering sorted out before you put it on the road......would be a shame to have an accident and mess up that Purdy truck!!!! If you find you need to replace the steering gear......I would highly recommend a Redhead.......definitely worth the extra $$$. I put an Oreileys rebuild in my '78 and it had more slop in it than the one I took out. Nice find and welcome to FTE!!!

 

yeah I know. I haven't decoded the VIN yet. badging on truck says 460 F150. I am kind of assuming it's an F100.

when the steering gear went on my 06, I went with PSC( used to be AGR). no sense replacing as OEM when OEM was the prob in the first place...

 

anyway, if I find the engine is not original, or is an original 400 or 351, etc, plan remains the same on HP boost, just may go with crate instead. research to be done...

 

update: I decoded the VIN. decode says it was built with a 351. badges say 460, so I will need to see what is actually in there. won't be able to check for a few days. the only real diff it makes is what top-end kit or crate I decide to put in...

 

Post a pic of your engine and the excellent people here can tell you exactly what it is. There is a noticeable difference between the 460 and 351m/400

 

Stinkin Badges Lye,nice looking serious rig you got there,take care of it,they dont make them like that anymore

 

X2 on the 460 was never put in OEM in a 79 1/2 ton 4wd. 351M/400 more like it.

Truck is a 79 then its a F150 1/2 ton 4wd D44 front axle, rear 9"...That seat is an 80 or 90's truck, I bet it has a fold down arm rest. And those mirrors are from a 90's rig also.

Insp the steering shaft "rag joint" got being torn/worn out. And then the steering box... sound shot to me. X100 on Redhead.

That flat F150 stick on badge is from a 80's or 90's rig too. Nice truck though.

 

This may help you identify your engine. Ford V8 Engine Identification - FORDification.com

 

Is that an Explorer post on the hood?

 

Looks like the bottom part of a Explorer hood ornament. Look behind the starter to see the block #'s and I think they are upside down?

Here is what a guy says about 460's in these trucks, and he knows what he is talking about.

"I think the 1979 casting number prefix could be either D1VE or D9TE 1971/78 and some 1979 460 engines: The block casting number is D1VE-AB, A1B or A2B. These 460's do not have a weighted spacer / D1VE also applies to 1971/73 429's, as the block is the same. Mid-model year 1979: FoMoCo changed the 460 engine, has a weighted spacer, the block casting number is: D9TE-AB Since this was a "running change," there are no before/from specific serial numbers or production dates, so in 1979...the block casting number must to be known to get the correct parts. The flywheel (flexplate) & harmonic balancer are specific to either the D1VE or D9TE blocks.

460 WAS not available (FROM THE FACTORY) with 4WD or a Manual Trans until 1983, then only in F250/350's / No 460's available in F100's after 1976, F150's after 1979 (CA:1978), Passenger Cars after 1978 / No 460's available in 1980/82 F250/350's, E250/350's only.

1983/97 F250/350 460's have a hydraulic clutch. 1973/79 4WD's do not use engine towers (aka perches, stands), as there is no engine cross member to bolt them to. 4WD engine supports bolt to the inner frame rails. 1968/78 Passenger Cars, 1975/97 E250/350 and 1983/97 F250/350 460 engine mounting parts will not work on 1973/79 F100/350's."

 

No 460 was ever available in a 4x4 dentside.

 

Congrats! That's a nice looking rig. I would also like to throw in my vote for Redhead. You will not be disappointed.

 

Check to make sure you are not in 4 wheel drive and that the hubs are unlocked. This may explain the binding steering.

 

quick update: My engine builder verified that it is in fact a 460 block, but it was dark and raining so don't have serial numbers to identify exactly which. it looks 70's though.

- the power steering reservoir is bone dry
- one of the main bushings is completely shot, probably why i felt a wheel wobble on a 90 degree turn. I attached a pic. prob need many of the bushings replaced.
- yeah, the late model door mirrors need to go back to stock.

my builder doesn't believe that the Edelbrock performer top end kit can get this 460 block up to the advertised 525 hp, but it's not exactly clear to me why...but for having a fast daily driver, I don't know if this truck needs 350hp with the right gearing, or 500hp because of weight and 35" tires. my builder is also concerned about spring wrap if I up the HP on a stock suspension with 4" lift block.