460 longevity
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 35
460 longevity
I have a 460 engine from mid-90's with about 45K miles on it and I wonder how long it can last, assuming I don't blow up the radiator, and keep the proper oil level.
The tranny is C6 and I occasionally tow 9,000 lbs, probably 500 miles/year, though this might go up. Not sure how much will drive empty, maybe 5,000 at most. This too might change if I start using it as a daily driver. (Not likely but possible in which case it will run 15,000 mis/year.)
I have several vehicles but this F250 has lowest miles of them all.
Anecdotal evidence?
The tranny is C6 and I occasionally tow 9,000 lbs, probably 500 miles/year, though this might go up. Not sure how much will drive empty, maybe 5,000 at most. This too might change if I start using it as a daily driver. (Not likely but possible in which case it will run 15,000 mis/year.)
I have several vehicles but this F250 has lowest miles of them all.
Anecdotal evidence?
Last edited by carpe_diem; Nov 8, 2003 at 12:51 PM.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
Using it as you do, you could very well rot off all the gaskets before the motor is wore out. 
An abused 460 will last around 110,000 miles, a used hard, but maintained motor maybe in the 200,000+ range, a well maintained, mildly worked motor, 300,000+. Just an estimation, many factor could alter the numbers.
An abused 460 will last around 110,000 miles, a used hard, but maintained motor maybe in the 200,000+ range, a well maintained, mildly worked motor, 300,000+. Just an estimation, many factor could alter the numbers.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 8
From: OK
I just (a few months ago) purchased the F250 in my signature. From what I can find, the truck was originally purchased by a company in Oregon. Then made it's way to AZ and finally here to OK. God only knows how it's been abused. The engine is still VERY strong... the E4OD is not so stout.
I think neverenough's estimations are pretty good.
I think neverenough's estimations are pretty good.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
I have 160,000 on mine, and I have no drawings on the draft table to rebuild. We'll see. Heck my wife has 61,000 on her 02 Dakota, my suggestion is just start driving a 460 in bad shape will go 200,000 easy.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: where the deer and antelo
I have a 460 in of my '97 company trucks with 220,000 hard abused miles. It still runs strong, but is starting to use and leak oil. It may get a rebuild this winter.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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95 f350 crew cab 4x4. 250,000+ and still going. Bought this truck from original owner who has changed oil every 3,000 and only used 15-40 Rotella! Just had the tranny replaced before selling the truck to me. There is no substitute for CUBIC INCHES.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 908
Likes: 4
Here's a story for you.
Leaving out most of the details, I ran my 429 for the best part of a day, pulling a 6 x 12 trailer loaded to the gills, at over 230 degrees. The hot light never went out. At times it spiked at 270. I have a good mechanical gauge, so this was true.
The car had too little radiator, and it was warm and I was crossing the Mojave desert. Since it was detonating really bad, I bought a bottle of 104 octane boost and put it in.
I've driven the engine 6 years since then. No ill effects of any kind. It has over 150,000 miles on a rebuild.
Since then, I lost a freeze plug and didn't even notice it until I saw that the oil pressure had dropped to 20 pounds at 65 MPH. It must have been over 280 degrees. The temp gauge wasn't working because of no coolant.
No ill effects from that either. These engines are brutes. Take care of them, and they will run forever.
Leaving out most of the details, I ran my 429 for the best part of a day, pulling a 6 x 12 trailer loaded to the gills, at over 230 degrees. The hot light never went out. At times it spiked at 270. I have a good mechanical gauge, so this was true.
The car had too little radiator, and it was warm and I was crossing the Mojave desert. Since it was detonating really bad, I bought a bottle of 104 octane boost and put it in.
I've driven the engine 6 years since then. No ill effects of any kind. It has over 150,000 miles on a rebuild.
Since then, I lost a freeze plug and didn't even notice it until I saw that the oil pressure had dropped to 20 pounds at 65 MPH. It must have been over 280 degrees. The temp gauge wasn't working because of no coolant.
No ill effects from that either. These engines are brutes. Take care of them, and they will run forever.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 278
Likes: 6
And now the story of my pal Mark the plumber and his 1986 F250. Mark bought his gem brand new when he started making money in the plumbing biz. It is a regular cab with dark blue over white paint that almost all peeled off in the first year he owned the truck. The dealer took care of everything and Mark continued to drive it like he stole it. Twice I remember he had loaded it down with so much weight he broke the passenger side springs. Currently his only employee still drives it and while it is on its third C6 transmission, the original 460 has 485,000 fun filled miles on it. It does burn a fair amount of oil, and the steering is a bit vague but Mark wants to see just how far it will go before he spruces it up. It really comes down to maintenance, although your mileage will vary. Good luck.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 13
The company I work for had some Ford vans e350 series that where used to shuttle employees to and from the airport about a ninety mile round trip. This was done from 6:00 am 9:00 pm every day except Sunday. The oil was changed every 3000 miles and when the engines had 750,000 miles on them they where replaced by Ford motor company and returned to Detroit and torn down and measured. The results where no appreciable wear on the crank journals cam or lifters and the cylinders where still within factory spec to be rebuilt with out boring. Now they weren't loaded real heavy and they where very well mantained.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,142
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From: Denver, CO
I owned 2 460's an 86 & 94 both in F250's, 86 had a 4spd and 94 had a 5spd. Both engines had well over 150,000miles on them. AND I BEAT THE LIVING HELL OUTTA THEM! 4wheelin' at the Oceano dunes every weekend and driving like a dragster on the week days to and from work. The only nonroutine work I had to do was rebuild the Holley on the 86 & replace the timing chain cover gasket on the 94. Never even replaced a clutch.
God I miss my 460's. V10 is alright, I guess.
God I miss my 460's. V10 is alright, I guess.
New User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Emmaus (Allentown), PA
The oldies were (are?) great engines, too. I hve a '68 429 which I rescued from a T-Bird in a junk yard. Showed 22,000 miles, so I assumed that meant 122,000. Judging from the condition of that 'Bird the engine had not been too carefully maintained during the car's final years. I flushed it out real well, put new plugs in it, switched over the distributor from my old 351M, rebuilt the original carb and put it on the road. That was in '91. It's still running strong in my '78 F-150 4X4 which, after being used as a firewood hauler and errand truck has been prettied up a bit and serves as my daily driver! I add a lead substitute every time I fill up, use premium fuel and change the oil every 3,000 or so. Takes a couple of quarts between changes is all. With its shorter stroke this engine seems to rev quicker than a 460, yet it produces all the torque I can use (will ignite the rear 31X10.50 x 15 BFG ATs just by mashing the throttle). Oh, yes - has topped 150K miles by now.
By the way - little engines ain't bad either - the 203HO in my '90 Linc MkVII has over 220K on it and except for a leaky rear main seal still runs real strong!
By the way - little engines ain't bad either - the 203HO in my '90 Linc MkVII has over 220K on it and except for a leaky rear main seal still runs real strong!
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