I have a chance to get a running 460 with transmission that was removed from a 1978 3/4 tom van. Question would it fit in my 65 F100. Looking at older post here it seems that it might, just not sure if a van motor is different.
What is the difference on a van motor or does that matter?

I still very new to all of this, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

It will fit if you can locate the engine perches. Scroll to the bottom of this page for 429/460 perches. Comparison Photos of Engine Perches - FORDification.com
A 78 460 is going to be a detuned smog motor and isn't going to make much power without at least a cam change. I can't remember the compression ratio but it was low.
Are you sure it is a good running engine? It looks like it has been out in the weather for quite awhile.

 

Not for sure it is running motor, just going by what the seller said. But who knows for sure. Guess it is a crap shoot when looking at old engines?
Might keep looking, I have a C6 with 390 mounts, so I might start looking for a 390 instead. Really not sure what direction I want to go. Just want something with a little HP but not crazy, not going t be a daily driver.

Thanks for the perch link! 👍🏼

 

What engine and trans do you have now?

 

Here is the deal. I received the truck as a Father's Day which was awesome, but no motor or trans. I came across a 390 with a C6 trans out of a 79 F150, but it had been sitting out and had water in the block, Pretty rusted, so not sure it can be machined or not. It has none of the brackets water pump etc. So all of that would need to be bought.

Trying to do this on a low budget so I don't want to do a crate motor and new trans. Thought about looking for a 302 but my C6 will not bolt up to it since it came from a 390.

As you can you can probably tell this is my first attempt at fixing up an old truck or car. Learning a lot from this forum though. Already redid the frame, rear axle and getting ready to put on the front end from the 79 so I will have disc brakes.

 

1965 F100/350: The 240 I-6 was standard equipment. The 300 I-6 & 352 2V V8 were optional.

The 4th digit of the VIN is the engine code: J = 240 I-6 / B = 300 I-6 / D = 352 2V .. The D & J codes were only used in 1965. 1966 used different codes.

If installing a 460 in a 1965/79 F100/350 2WD, you will need the rubber insulators, perches and brackets from a 1973/79 F100/350 460. Econoline and Passenger Car parts will NOT work!

360/390 and C6 were first installed in 1968 F100/350, used thru 1976 .. 460 first installed in 1973 F100/250 2WD & F350.

CAVEAT EMPTOR:

Do NOT believe a single word that private sellers claim, as they lie like used/new car dealers, lawyers, politicians and TV evangelists.

Do NOT believe the miles shown on the odometer, as it reads to 99999.9 then returns to ZERO!

 

Yeah, never know what people will say to make a sale. Thanks for the info!

 

I would expect the worst as for engine condition. Crop Duster made a good point regarding the weather this engine could of been exposed to. Could be locked up due to water in the cylinders and require to be sleeved. Not cheap to fix.

 

I buy these old core engines all the time and one rule I’ve learned is walk away from anything sitting outside in the weather unless it’s given to you or you just need some accessories from it.
And that engine (if stock) doesn’t have enough compression to support a decent cam change.
Unless you plan on at least a head or piston swap for a 8 to 1 460 save your money and look for a something like a good running 90’s 5.0 or late 351w or even a good running 390 that will bolt right in, although a 390 will probably be hard to find “good running”. In the end you’ll be dollars ahead by buying a good runner than getting into head swaps, Internal swaps, machine work, etc. I still find these occasionally in salvage yards with warranty available sometimes. Your area and situation may be different though.
I realize With the big cube craze nowadays everyone has to have 400+ inches to be “cool” but I run older 5.0’s in several f100s along with 351w’s and they run, handle (light weight), and sound great with a nice cam and will run circles around most of those 460, 400, and 390 low compression turds. Any of them can be made to perform well but it usually takes big money.

 

X2 on post 9. That van 460 will require a bunch of work to fit and will deliver the old punchline "big block fuel economy, small block power". As OEM they were were in the 220-230 HP range, but low and midrange torque was adequate.

A roller 5.0 or 351W with a carb, a little better cam if you want, will be plenty of power and easier to deal with on all fronts. I would even suggest getting one with a 4R70W transmission (gotta get a controller) and enjoy a combo that is nicely sorted out.

Swerving suggestion.

I say that 4R70W trans as it fits and was OEM on a lot of those motors. Even though it requires the controller, it is a better transmission than the "no computer" AOD. By the time you go through an AOD you are a good part of the way to the later transmission.

 

460 in a 72

 

460 is actually a bolt-in for that 65 if you have the correct perches. No real mods necessary other than exhaust.