Hello--

I recently acquired a 460 through a 1978 town car I just purchased. I currently own and drive a '79 TC with the 400 in it, and was planning on hopping up that motor. However, after getting a 460, my plans have changed...

I know these sort of questions get asked all the time, but for me to feel confident in what I am doing, I would like to repeat some of these questions. I am new to building up a motor (vs "refreshing" a motor), so my apologies if I ask something that seems obvious, or doesnt make sense.

As of right now I am just in the planning stage. Work probably wont begin until tax time due to my funds being tied up with my little 1981 toyota tercel.

I am looking to get anywhere from 400-500hp from this motor. Main reason is, from what I've read a fresh c6 is good for 500-550hp. I do plan on having mine rebuilt with one of the 500 / 550hp kits, so it should be able to take some abuse. Also to note, I do plan on replacing the torque converter with one that has a stall around 2200rpm, unless someone has a better recommendation.

1. Intended use: Daily driving, occasional autocross

2. Vehicle info (weight/gearing/trans): 5000lbs, 9" 28 spline, 2.75 w/ torsen LSD, C6

3. Fuel desired to use: Pump gas, most places have 91, some have 93

4. Parts you already have: just a 460 haha

5. Proposed Budget: 4-5k

6. Location this may help to find a good machine shop: Kansas City, Mo, 64133

According to the horsepower chart here (https://www.460ford.com/forum/40-eng...1-24-09-a.html) 425-450hp should be doable with mostly stock bottom end parts. However, almost all of the listings use the D0VE heads. While I don't know for sure, I believe my motor has either D3VE heads, or D8VE heads. If thats the case, would it be worth it to have a shop port the exhaust, bowl blend, remove casting flash, etc...? And if so, when I do take them into a shop, what specifically do I need to tell them in order to get the desired work done to them? And should I have the shop put new umbrella seals in, or convert them to positive type seals?


What pistons should I use? Stock, or flat top?


When getting the block bored (not sure of what size it needs yet), what do I need to tell them about the deck? I have seen a few posts saying that the deck needs to be near 0. Is that what I need to tell the shop or...?

Under the HP chart, the 425-450 section uses a custom grind. I am looking for good low end torque to get my land yacht moving, something similar to an RV cam. Is the grind listed good for low end torque, and if so, is there a cam out there with similar specs so I don't have to spend extra on a custom cam?

Recommendation on roller rockers? Will stock rocker arms work? and I assume the cam will come with replacement springs, or is that something that needs to get sourced?

I am going to try and use hooker 6126 headers. I saw a post where a member crammed them into a MK V. Should basically be the same thing with the town cars.

Fueling will be done with the efi kit made by the 460efiguys (https://460efiguys.com/product/460-4...ofile-efi-kit/

Any and all advice is appreciated. Again, I am new to this, so if I say something that doesnt make sense, or wont work, please let me know!

 

I'm not a pro, but I've had a 460 built for me before (maybe 15 years ago) and I remember most of what was done to it, so that might help give you an idea.

My 460 came out of my '75 F-150. D1VE block. D3VE heads.

The block was bored .030 over. The block was decked so that the pistons would come slightly out of the hole. Speed Pro H535CP .030 pistons were used. Compression came out to 9.6:1 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...cp30/overview/

The D3VE heads were decked. The exhaust hump (Thermactor boss) was ground out and removed, no fancy porting or polishing. Larger valves installed along with hardened seats. 1.7 ratio roller rockers.

The factory crank and rods were reused with ARP fasteners.

Comp cams X4262H hydraulic flat tappet cam was used. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-cl34-238-4

A few other little things here and there, but that was the very bulk of it. I had it broke in and dyno'd and it made 427hp/510tq. Hopefully that gives you an idea of what you can do. There is definitely more than one way to get 400+hp out of a 460, that's for sure.

 

BIG BLOCK FORD HORSEPOWER CHART INFO gathered by DJOHAGIN This should give you some ideas on your build. 425-450 on pump gas is a good easy build as the 460 was advertised at 375 to begin with. Don't worry about getting your land yacht moving, the torque in these motors will give you all you need!