351W or 460 ?
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351W or 460 ?
I have an opportunity to build either a 351W or a 460 to go in a 1968 F-100 Shortbed. On a moderate (not infinite) budget, which engine would you suggest? I would be interested in hearing all pros and cons. I am hoping to make something with a lot of power, not a daily driver, but something that I can take on the street. What does everyone think ?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Huntersville
The 351w is an excellent engine and can be made to make plenty of power. I have one in my 71 pushing an AOD with 3.70 gears and I am very happy with it. Mine is pretty much a daily driver or at least it was until I bought a 76 F150 4x4.
If you were going to be driving it alot with the way gas prices are I would recommend the 351w. Since you say it is pretty much gonna be a play thing then I would say go with the 460. There is no replacement for displacement. You would have to spend a fair amount of money to make the 351w even come close to the torque and HP of a well built stock 460.
clint
If you were going to be driving it alot with the way gas prices are I would recommend the 351w. Since you say it is pretty much gonna be a play thing then I would say go with the 460. There is no replacement for displacement. You would have to spend a fair amount of money to make the 351w even come close to the torque and HP of a well built stock 460.
clint
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Tucson, AZ
a lot of power and a moderate budget are mutually exclusive. i just put a 460 in my 68 f100 2wd sb. i think the 351W will be slightly less expensive.
what do you have to start with, mine had a 351M/c6 so i was able to reuse the tranny and crossmember the previous owner had installed.
an FE would also be a good choice and would cut down on swap parts $$$$ and headaches! all the 460 info you need can be found here if you search...cheers, garsten
what do you have to start with, mine had a 351M/c6 so i was able to reuse the tranny and crossmember the previous owner had installed.
an FE would also be a good choice and would cut down on swap parts $$$$ and headaches! all the 460 info you need can be found here if you search...cheers, garsten
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 964
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From: Roseburg, OR
IMHO, the 460 swap is about as generic as the 350s you always see in Ford roadsters and Tbuckets. That is to say, everybody and their grandma has done it. It's not like you can't make awesome power like that, but seriously, if you want to be a little unique, go with something else.
I like the FE idea, myself. Do up a hot 390, drop it in there, drive it proudly.
I like the FE idea, myself. Do up a hot 390, drop it in there, drive it proudly.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 602
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From: Huntersville
I agree the 390 is a decent engine but lets face it, 429-460 swap headers are easy to get and fairly cheap and 429-460 engines are real easy to swap in these trucks. Plus they are real easy to get good power out of.
1968F100shortbed said he has a choice between a 351w and a 460 engines with a moderate bugit to use. In this instance I think a 460 would be the best out of the two choices offered for the uses he decribed.
clint
1968F100shortbed said he has a choice between a 351w and a 460 engines with a moderate bugit to use. In this instance I think a 460 would be the best out of the two choices offered for the uses he decribed.
clint
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
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What are some advantages of the FE motors? I have heard nothing but bad things about them (gas hogs, burn oil, etc.)
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Originally Posted by 1968F100ShortBed
What are some advantages of the FE motors? I have heard nothing but bad things about them (gas hogs, burn oil, etc.)
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,439
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From: Spokane WA
FE's are a great engine, but between the 351W and the 460, I'd build the 351W.
its alot easier swap, especially if you have a manual transmission. what engine is/was in the 68 truck your building.
its alot easier swap, especially if you have a manual transmission. what engine is/was in the 68 truck your building.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,249
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From: Rockport, WA
Hey, say some more good things about the FE engines! I have a 428 in my 1967 Thunderbird. If it EVER gets out of Thunderbird Vintage restoration shop, I'm looking forward to scrounging up some Premium and some lead substitute, and seeing how it drives.
Funny, but I just blew the 351M in my '77 F250 -- and I've got a friend saying "460 it!" In my case, I think I have a solution: a friend has a 400 from a '76 with 37,000 miles, that he'll let me have for $200.
My truck has a 4:10 axle behind a C6. I'm currently running 235/85R-16 rubber, and probably will switch to 265/75R-16 very soon. Is it worth the dollars and wrench turning time, to swap in a 3.70 or taller rear end? This is a 2WD, used mostly on the two lane blacktop of Highway 20 in the Skagit Valley. I so sometimes pull my car trailer, but it's mostly an errand runner for my rentals.
From what I've seen so far, my 351W certainly is no economy rig. But with $3 gas upon us, I'm interested in improvements. A 460 would be great for heavy loads, but I think the fuel economy would be even worse than our 454 Suburban.
Lane
Funny, but I just blew the 351M in my '77 F250 -- and I've got a friend saying "460 it!" In my case, I think I have a solution: a friend has a 400 from a '76 with 37,000 miles, that he'll let me have for $200.
My truck has a 4:10 axle behind a C6. I'm currently running 235/85R-16 rubber, and probably will switch to 265/75R-16 very soon. Is it worth the dollars and wrench turning time, to swap in a 3.70 or taller rear end? This is a 2WD, used mostly on the two lane blacktop of Highway 20 in the Skagit Valley. I so sometimes pull my car trailer, but it's mostly an errand runner for my rentals.
From what I've seen so far, my 351W certainly is no economy rig. But with $3 gas upon us, I'm interested in improvements. A 460 would be great for heavy loads, but I think the fuel economy would be even worse than our 454 Suburban.
Lane
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Tucson, AZ
if you want to swap out the 302, the 351W would be the easier swap. motor mounts should be very similar, C4 will bolt to 351W and tranny crossmember should not have to be moved.
a built 302 or 351W with the right torque converter and rear end gears will scoot your shortbed right along and would most likely cost less than a swap to a different engine family.
how much money you are willing to part with will determine how fast you can go. i paid $450 for L&L long tube headers for my 460...they are very good quality and lifetime warranty, but 302/351W parts have to be less expensive and easier to find and fit in your truck. best of luck, cheers, garsten
a built 302 or 351W with the right torque converter and rear end gears will scoot your shortbed right along and would most likely cost less than a swap to a different engine family.
how much money you are willing to part with will determine how fast you can go. i paid $450 for L&L long tube headers for my 460...they are very good quality and lifetime warranty, but 302/351W parts have to be less expensive and easier to find and fit in your truck. best of luck, cheers, garsten
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Good point, small block Ford parts are lower priced that the 429/460 and the FE`s are even more! 
Lot more sbf being built than the big blocks. The 5.0 Mustang is a very sweet engine, used to be plentyfull.
Lot more sbf being built than the big blocks. The 5.0 Mustang is a very sweet engine, used to be plentyfull.