460 "power" question
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460 "power" question
So now that Im getting mt 79 supercab 460 quasi sorted out Im starting to think a head... I realize that 460 has a ton of torque which can pull a house, but Id like some more "high end" power out of it.... Ive read on a couple 460 forums on how to desmog, and open up the motor some... different carb, headers, timing changes, etc etc etc.. Im NOT looking for a hot rod truck but would like to have a decent launch and or the option for laying a little rubber down if I was wanting to haha... 24N axle code (does that offer up info about the rear end thats in it?) Shes just a little sluggish... Any advice on how to "let her run"? Thanks!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 5
From: Burlington, WI
So now that Im getting mt 79 supercab 460 quasi sorted out Im starting to think a head... I realize that 460 has a ton of torque which can pull a house, but Id like some more "high end" power out of it.... Ive read on a couple 460 forums on how to desmog, and open up the motor some... different carb, headers, timing changes, etc etc etc.. Im NOT looking for a hot rod truck but would like to have a decent launch and or the option for laying a little rubber down if I was wanting to haha... 24N axle code (does that offer up info about the rear end thats in it?) Shes just a little sluggish... Any advice on how to "let her run"? Thanks!
- Summit K3500 cam
- Cloyes double roller straight up timing set
- Stock intake and exhaust manifolds
- True dual exhaust to tandem glasspacks (keeps the noise down a bit more) with an H pipe for balance
- Summit brand 4bbl 750cfm carb with electric choke
Woke her right up. Have no idea what exactly the power figures are, but it's a basically stock rebuild except for the aforementioned things. The "butt Dyno" however, says this thing rips! Lights my 235/75r15 tires up on hot dry pavement without issue through all three gears if desired. Still has ample grunt to tow a house, large rock, or broke down Chevy up a hill and back. Also gets roughly 10-12mpg if I keep my foot out of it and sounds mean too.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 8
From: York, Pa
I'm just about finished my 460 build. Mine is kinda stockish...
D1 block
.030 w/ flat top pistons
D3 heads
Erson RV cam with straight up timing set and 4 degree advance ground into camshaft
Performer intake
I have no idea what it'll run like only my 400 and 445FE to compare to.
D1 block
.030 w/ flat top pistons
D3 heads
Erson RV cam with straight up timing set and 4 degree advance ground into camshaft
Performer intake
I have no idea what it'll run like only my 400 and 445FE to compare to.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 49
From: Great American SouthWest
My copper truck, the 77/460/C6, would burn the BFG A/T TAs right off, given the chance. Dana 70 w/ 3.73 rear end.
Might have a mild cam...for sure it does have straight-up timing set, Edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 750 carb, dual exhaust, glass packs
Might have a mild cam...for sure it does have straight-up timing set, Edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 750 carb, dual exhaust, glass packs
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,302
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From: Burlington, WI
I did not. I still have the original limited slip 9" rear end with 3.21 rear gears. Wouldn't mind having 3.55 or even 4.10 gears, but I cruise the highway more than I tow so for now I'm leaving them as is.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 118
From: starship enterprise
460s have plenty of grunt, the real performance lies in compression with those, being a 460cid and way oversquare, meaning 4.36 bore and only 3.85 stroke, that 5 gallon bucket of a piston can take and also needs some more compression. These will easily make 10:1 on 85 octane, done it lots. but slightly tempermental, so shoot for about 9-9.5:1 cr and be amazed what you get then. If you use your stock d3 heads, have them gone through and mill about 0.020" and then look for an early block, like a d0ve or earlier, that should have the 10.300 deck height, attaining more than the regular 8:1 CR but not having to look at tall flat tops or anything else. Should also help get close to 0 deck instead of the "down in the hole" syndrome that 460s have. strait up timing and a good cam should give her all the speed your truck can safely handle. I do believe that the factory exhaust manifolds are restrictive to a 460, so headers would be a good investment. Good luck.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 118
From: starship enterprise
390 is probably the most impressive powerplant I have ever seen, my brother had one that he spent $500+/- on and that was one of the best running engines, torque beyond belief, acceleration, sounded cool, always started, never overheated. Then a guy had one he brought to the mud races and the sled pull, he said it was a solid fat tappet motor at 13:1 and it turned 6900 all the way down the track bouncing the rev limiter he said "I should pull the chip and let it rev, I think that sled would go a few more feet if I could get to 7200 rpm.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 920
Likes: 20
From: Malheur Co. OR
In an attempt to reduce emissions around '72, Ford started using a timing set that was retarded 4* compared to the previous 460 engines. Using an earlier, stock type timing set, an aftermarket adjustable timing set, or a late EFI timing set will put the cam timing back to 0*
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 920
Likes: 20
From: Malheur Co. OR
What you are referring to is ignition timing. The relationship of the camshaft and crankshaft on anything before a Variable Cam Timing or Variable Valve Timing engine is fixed and not adjustable without a different timing set. If you have a timing set with multiple keyways you can adjust the cam timing only with the engine partially disassembled.
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