drivetrain transplant
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 704
Likes: 216
drivetrain transplant
posted this in my "rebuild" thread, but I'm thinking of replacing my tired motor/trans.
Another member recommended going to a 460/C6 pairing.
are other SBFs an option? will they fit the frame mounting points without mods?
I'd love to hear suggestions. Not looking to tow anything but would be nice to have that option down the road.
Budget of course is always a consideration. I've seen some reman'd 460s for under $3k and C6s for around $2k.
Any engine builders or reman'd shops to consider?
Another member recommended going to a 460/C6 pairing.
are other SBFs an option? will they fit the frame mounting points without mods?
I'd love to hear suggestions. Not looking to tow anything but would be nice to have that option down the road.
Budget of course is always a consideration. I've seen some reman'd 460s for under $3k and C6s for around $2k.
Any engine builders or reman'd shops to consider?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 148
Likes: 19
I’m not sure where you are located or the truck you are working on but I have a big block C6 (it’s a 4wd trans) in the shop just taking up space if you want it. I’m located near Amarillo, Texas.
I bought it from a local a couple of years ago but never installed it so I don’t know the condition but all parts are with it including a torque converter.
I ended up going with a ZF5 mainly for the overdrive and granny 1st gear. I ran a C6 for a while but the high rpms on the highway were bothering me. You might want to consider an overdrive trans if you do a lot of highway driving. There are several options if you want an auto. A good 460 takes huge advantage of overdrive.
I bought it from a local a couple of years ago but never installed it so I don’t know the condition but all parts are with it including a torque converter.
I ended up going with a ZF5 mainly for the overdrive and granny 1st gear. I ran a C6 for a while but the high rpms on the highway were bothering me. You might want to consider an overdrive trans if you do a lot of highway driving. There are several options if you want an auto. A good 460 takes huge advantage of overdrive.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,939
Likes: 4,124
From: Angier, NC
It may help if we knew what the truck is , year / model / 2wd or 4wd, and what it has now for motor & trans.
You said SBF but the 460 is a BBF and would need a trans to match the bell bolt pattern.
Dave ----
You said SBF but the 460 is a BBF and would need a trans to match the bell bolt pattern.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
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More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 704
Likes: 216
it's a 1979 F150 4x4. I believe the drivetrain is factory, but not completely sure.
I'm new to the truck game and havent' been able to identify the motor/trans combo yet.
I'm on spring break this week but can take some pics.
Where are the casting codes?
I'm new to the truck game and havent' been able to identify the motor/trans combo yet.
I'm on spring break this week but can take some pics.
Where are the casting codes?
Tuned
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 77
From: St Paul MN
What are you using the truck for?
Mileage, I would go 302 (a small v8)
Longevity, with low maintenance - hard to beat a 300 straight 6
460s will pass anything but a gas station. Not sure you need that much go in a half ton
Coolest is the 429, hard on back tires though ; )
351W is a nice betweener.
If you can get a good deal on a 400 they go too
I would look for something with a good deal, and then rebuilding your own is always the surest shot (you know what you got if you do it or have it done yourself)
Good luck
Mileage, I would go 302 (a small v8)
Longevity, with low maintenance - hard to beat a 300 straight 6
460s will pass anything but a gas station. Not sure you need that much go in a half ton
Coolest is the 429, hard on back tires though ; )
351W is a nice betweener.
If you can get a good deal on a 400 they go too
I would look for something with a good deal, and then rebuilding your own is always the surest shot (you know what you got if you do it or have it done yourself)
Good luck
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 143
From: CA
If it’s factory it’s a 351m or 400. It bolts right back in and that’s worth a bit of work between mounts and exhaust and what bolts to your trans(bbf)-transfer case-drive lines.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,839
Likes: 2,612
From: The Shenandoah Valley
You could count the valve cover bolts to quickly narrow down what it is that you have in it now.
2 bolts: "Y" Blocks
239/256/272/292/312 (produced from 1954 to 1964)
5 bolts: FE Series
332/352/360/361/390/391/406/410/427/428
6 bolts: SBF group
221/260/289/302/351W
7 bolts: 385 Series
429/460
8 bolts: 335 Series
351C/351M/400
Like already said, most likely a 351M, maybe a 400 but could be something else, it is 40-odd years aged after all.
351 has 3-1/2" stroke, 400 has a 4" stroke.
Typically, my 351M gets a reliable 11-12 mpg, but I did once on a vacation carry extra jets and 2 power valves for my then Holley, tried a few either side of Holley "out the box" setup, varied timing, managed 16 mpg on one setup, on one leg from Dover DE to Cumberland MD ... but it burnt a couple valves shortly afterwards so I reverted to safe setup and less mpg when I R&R-ed the heads, lesson learned.
2 bolts: "Y" Blocks
239/256/272/292/312 (produced from 1954 to 1964)
5 bolts: FE Series
332/352/360/361/390/391/406/410/427/428
6 bolts: SBF group
221/260/289/302/351W
7 bolts: 385 Series
429/460
8 bolts: 335 Series
351C/351M/400
Like already said, most likely a 351M, maybe a 400 but could be something else, it is 40-odd years aged after all.
351 has 3-1/2" stroke, 400 has a 4" stroke.
Typically, my 351M gets a reliable 11-12 mpg, but I did once on a vacation carry extra jets and 2 power valves for my then Holley, tried a few either side of Holley "out the box" setup, varied timing, managed 16 mpg on one setup, on one leg from Dover DE to Cumberland MD ... but it burnt a couple valves shortly afterwards so I reverted to safe setup and less mpg when I R&R-ed the heads, lesson learned.
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 143
From: CA