I am looking for a bigger engine (not only in size but in hp) like a 454 or 460 to swap out with my '83 302; a year that no company seems to want to make parts for . Right now I am leaning toward the 454 but that is mainly because I can get a great deal on one right now. But before I go out and get it I would like to know from you guys what engine has the most horsepower and torque and/or the best points about them.

 

which years are you looking at? I believe the year will dictate the H.P. and torque.

 

What type of vehicle are we taking about?

 

I'm pretty sure building your 302 (headers, intake manifold, carb... oversize pistons, stroker crank, aftermarket heads...) or swapping in a 351W with a few bolt-ons would be less trouble and less expensive than swapping in a big block especially a chebby one. If you want a big block get a 429 or 460 '71 or earlier (hehe) and a C6 or 4 speed.

 

I'm not sure what year it is but the engine, I still have to talk to the guy who has it for sale but it is going into a '52 Ford pickup. And in regards to 302s&460srocks, when you do all that to a 302 the doesn't that lessen the life of the engine?

 

Is this '52 an F1 or an F2?

An F1 isn't going to like the extra road hugging weight of a BB be it chev or ford.

And if you want the HP king, I think the BBC gets it there, with 4 bolt mains and the ability to spin harder than a comparably built 460. But that gets you back to the question of how well your '52 can handle the weight and power of a stock big block, let alone a built one.

 

It is an F1. Now what I have to do and I mean HAVE TO DO is put the nine inch rear end I have on the truck. Then I have to look at transmission and up-graded brakes. Would you have any advice as to what transmission to get?

 

If you like autos, I think the best one out there would be a C6. I like them they are real strong, and can handle the abuse of slamming threw gears.

 

Sure, if you like thrown rods.

 

I'm sure both motors will throw rods, it just that a 2 bolt 460 is going to have trouble before a 4 bolt main 454, dontchathink? And if you wants lots of HP you need lots of RPM's, as I recall.....

Anyway, a BB anything into an F1 is more like a rebuild the whole truck project, imo.

 

This is disgusting. You would actually consider a 454 in your FORD truck????
The 460 has superior torque, and when built right, will have as much, or more HP then a comparable 454. Not to mention the 460 is a FORD engine. Keep it together man!!

 

The reason the 454 has a 4 bolt main is because the block is weaker. In the last 2 big block shootouts the 460 took the honors. It's good for about 7k rpms and that is with the stock crank and 2 bolt mains.

Unless you are going to drag race the truck you don't need to turn 7K or more. A small stroked 460 will make 600+ hp, 700+lbs of torque and run on pump gas and do this before 7K rpms.

 

I think the 302 with a lil work would be the prefect motor for the truck,, Al that horse power is great but what you going to do with it ???? Go to the store for a pack of smokes ??I mean were talking serious overkill here, Geesss what the new crate motor Ford has a 512 ???, Go for Broke !!!!!!!!!!!!!!{ I gotta admit I liked the FORD vs CHEBBY debate },, Every body knows those chebby's go fast then puke, While the Ford just stroke's along

 

Well put tymers.
As of overkill...I don't think so, he's building a classic truck, and he wants it to be his own creation. The 460 will make the HP cheaper, and a lot lower in the RPM range. Along with MASSIVE amounts of torque, that the 302 would struggle to handle. Don't get me wrong, the 302 is an outstanding engine, and will handle as much power as the BB, but the BBF will do it cheaper, easier, and quicker.

 

It's interesting how many people view the BBC in these forums:

As being more durable at high rpm than a 460(the opossite is true).
As being the endurance racing king (really?).
As having more power potential, particularly at high rpm(not likely).
As in having four bolt mains caps decreases the potential to throw rods(a non-causal relationship).

I have been asked to consult on problems involved with a non-automotive high performance application using the BBC. The problems are manifold, from thrown rods, broken cranks, broken valve seats, broken cams, sucked valves, broken piston skirts and scored piston cylinders. They seem pre-disposed to detonation problems, although in this application the fuel octane exceeds 100 octane. That was on several engines with less than 50 hours of operation. The problems seem to be repeatable and not random. The few willing to try a Ford or Mopar alternative are no longer enccountering these problems so early or as ofton.

Several years ago I had friend with a older Chevy work truck. The 454 at 80,000 miles was shot so, he went through no less than three GM Performance BBC crate engines(not cheap) in the space two years before giving up.

Trust me, the 460 is a much better choice.