hi i have been throwing around an idea about a really cheap 460 build-up.so hear goes-right now i have a 78 460 with factory rated hp around 200 and torque at 375lbft . compression is 8:1 stock cam, stock carb, stock timing and single exhaust . so my thought was finding a set of really high comp heads from a late sixties early seventies -around 11:1 compression.now after i ported and planed these heads and changed the guides and seals they be installed on the 78 motor-raising the compression hopefully to 9.5:1 or a little higher.assuming the bottom end of this motor is sound it should work.then i would use a timing chain set from a 429 to bring it to zero.then i would pick a cheap cam and lifter set from summit for $79- int-218 exh-228 .then dual exhaust and maybe an aftermarket dual-plane centerhead and a 750 carb . iwould need a gasket set to put it all together and hopefully i could wake the beast and almost double the hp. any input would be helpful,i like hearing new ideas .

 

What you are describing is a basic street build that is bandied about very often on this forum.

Presuming your lower end is in good shape (rings, bearings, clearances and such) then swapping to 72cc heads with your stock pistons will result in a CR of about 9.4:1.

If the rings are good and the everything mics out okay, then I would button it back up with some new rod and main bearings (new bearings are cheap insurance).

A cheap cam is just that - cheap. Spend a couple of extra bucks on a known good grind with matching lifters. Complete it with a name-brand timing chain set to turn it all. All told, the difference will probably be no more than $100-150 bucks from the cheapo stuff to the name brand products.

If money is the overiding concern, might consider sticking with an early style cast iron intake for your basic build. They aren't bad for a torque oriented build that will never see the high side of 5000 RPM, and they are cheap. Clean it up, do a port match, and let it be.

Headers are a must. There is simply no option here. The factory exhaust manifolds will not, and cannot, be made to flow adequately for any type of performance app.

With a little attention to parts selection and careful attention to machine work, assembly, and tuning, it is possible to reach 400 HP and 500 lb-ft torque with the combo you are talking about.

Brad

 

Buildup looks good to me...only thing I'd add is to recurve the distributor to have full advance in by 3000rpm (36* total)....should run nice.

 

thanks for the information,good to remember that some things can't be skimped on and the parts have to be made to work together.another thought was about the original carb of the 460.if this build up was to be on the torque side would this carb rebuilt be a perfect match for a mildly built motor instead of spending big $$ on a new 750 carb or worse buying a used wore out one and getting it to work as good as the original equipment.another question was about the exhaust manifolds ,i was always told that exhaust manifolds(with dual exhaust) could make very decent torque number down at low rpms were they are needed in a 5500lb 4wd.i know that it will hamper the ability to make alot of high rpm hp but this is not necessary in this application.need stump pulling torque.

 

Carb is a good idea, although you might get away with a good rebuild on the stocker to keep you going until you can afford an aftermarket unit.

No way on re-using the stock exhaust manifolds. Chuck 'em. Just too restrictive at any RPM, and they will cost you something on the order of 30-40 HP up top on a carbed engine. Look at it this way, Gale Banks has an exhaust kit for EFI 460 trucks. No computer mods, no big intake mods, just a set of his excellent (albeit expensive) headers and a low-restriction exhaust system. Trailer World tested the kit and got something like 60 HP at the rear wheel with no other changes. That's how bad the stock exhaust sytem is on a 460.

 

thks sounds like headers and dual exaust need to be on the top of the must have list and the first aftermarket upgrade.where is going to be the cheapest place to get headers and do i need to use fenderwell exit headers or can i use the cheaper traditional style like the sell in the summit catalog.they dont seem to specify 2wd or 4wd and my truck is 4wd and i dont want to buy them if they wont fit or i have to cut the frame.

 

Go get the December 2004 Hot Rod. Their "dream" 460 was $10,218.74 & made over 600 horse. Subtract $2639 for the heads you are going to pry off a '70 Tbird and $750 for the block you already have and a few others, and you might get this down to a reasonable number.

What I'd look at is what they used for bearings, bolts, the cam, oiling and other hardware.

If you put your initial chunk of money into making the shortblock sound, then you won't risk blowing it up when you add go-fast parts....

Serving suggestion, your mileage may vary....