So while working on engines isn't new to me. Working on a Ford 460 is, so bear with me please. I'm going into this with the attitude that I'm willing to listen and learn because I honestly don't know anything about building a 460 other than what I've been able to read over the last several days.

Now that we got that out of the way, I'm buying a 1978 F-100 this week with a bone stock 70's 460 in it. I've always wanted one and found a clean one locally that's got potential in my price range. It's got about 80k on the motor I'm told and it seems to run decent and sounds decent. The seller isn't sure of it year but it's most likely the typical lower compression 460's that were put out and that's ok for now. So what's my plan? Obviously I feel compelled to tear into it to make it breathe better because that's what guys do right? So here's my plan. I DON'T want an all out reach for every last HP race truck. I do want something that has a little thump to it and won't embarrass itself trying to pass a minivan. At this time I don't want to dig into the heads. It's just not in the budget because I'll be honest, if I'm going to do the heads I'm going to do them once and do them right which means when the time is right I'll spend once/cry once. I do however want to get rid of the factory retarded cam timing. Through reading this forum I've learned that only happens with a new timing chain set. Easy enough for my technical ability. My question is, is it worth swapping the cam out while I'm in there with the stock heads/intake? I was looking at the Summit Cam and lifters for SUM-3501. It seems like a mild grind over stock at a very low price point. I don't want to have to put a stall converter in the C6 but can't help but feel the need to swap the cam while I have it open to swap the timing set. I mean, I'll be looking at the damn thing almost. Also, while I'm at it, I'm reading the stock intakes are fairly decent for airflow but they are just heavy. Should I bother throwing an aluminum on it with the stock heads or will I just be dressing up a turd at that point?

What's everyone's thoughts/opinions?

 

You'll need to know what heads, in particular, you have of course, I personally haven't jumped into this process yet, but here are some reference links I've bookmarked.
https://www.460ford.com/forum/40-eng...1-24-09-a.html
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/385s...rt-t20100.html

 

Thanks for the links March! I'm definitely not going to shoot for 500 hp. I probably won't even shoot for 400. I want to keep it very streetable. I already have a "fast" car. I really don't need a fast truck but I do want a little more than stock for sure.

 

I think with some porting,valve, cam and header mods, you can put together a pretty nice setup. Keep us posted on your project

 

I'd first do a very thorough wet/dry compression test to confirm that the bottom end is up to the task. Next, determine what heads you have. There were important differences throughout the years that the 385 series engine was in production. The cam is key to getting the heads to perform up to their potential so these two components need to be developed in tandem.

 

More information from the seller. The engine came out of an '86 F350. Not what I was hoping to hear but it is what it is. Now to do some more researching.

 

FYI there is a big Block V8 385 series 429/460 engine forum to ask questions in also. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum53/

EVERYONE says better breathing heads matter, like D3VE....porting ect...

Read learn read learn and read more. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_385_engine

For example: Dove heads on stock 460

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/ccrp...-engine-build/

Technical Atricles and Installing a 460 -- The Right Way!

 

Thank you very much for guiding me in the right direction. I appreciate it!

 

Just a little more reading in case you do not have enough so far.. lol https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...onversion.html

Like mentioned above in post #2 460ford.com great place to get free advice and input. https://www.460ford.com/

Since it a 78 F100...I guess 2wd so the rear sump pan swap not needed. But good into to have on hand.

 

There are a couple of 460 build links in the Tech Info Compilation.

400 HP for pretty much a stock rebuilding is VERY doable. A decent cam, mild porting/gasket matching, and a 750 cfm carb are the basics.

 

If a 460 is like a 302/5.0, carb'ed or injected, it will absolutely benefit from a good aluminum intake manifold - both from weight savings, and also from improved design and flow. You will almost certainly feel an increase of power. Not a waste. You want a Dual Plane intake manifold for torque. I think Ford left a lot on the table when designing their intake manifolds...

And if you're in that far, then you might look at a better cam - probably something like an RV grind, for torque? If you go that route, you want to be extremely careful when breaking in the new cam. You really need to be sure you use the right oil, and some other precautions.

 

It's probably more than you want to do now, but factory 460s had the pistons deep in the hole. .030" or more on some motors. Add in .040" for a head gasket and you get a ton of piston to head clearance. Which drops compression and makes the motor more detonation prone. If you are able to pull the motor I would have the block decked and install new rings and bearings wile you have it apart. A small cam and early style timing set, performer intake and four barrel carb will make for a great combo that you should get a bunch of years out of.

Jess

 

Watching and learning