460 low-buck upgrades
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 3
From: Eustis FL
460 low-buck upgrades
What can be done to squeeze out more power from a 76 460? I heard about the timing thing: The factory retarded the cam right on the sprocket? What is the procedure for this?
Mark
Mark
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 1
From: Cullman Alabama
460 low-buck upgrades
It's as easy as pulling the Timing chain off and replacing the Drive Gear.
I got one from Auto Zone for less than $20 bucks.
Your gonna need some tools, a Puller and probably some help!
If your goin that deep into a 460, you should check the Compression first.
I got one from Auto Zone for less than $20 bucks.
Your gonna need some tools, a Puller and probably some help!
If your goin that deep into a 460, you should check the Compression first.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 3
From: Eustis FL
460 low-buck upgrades
What exactly does replacing the drive gear accomplish? Is that the one off the crank? Or is it the cam gear?
I heard about factory retarded valve timing... Is there more details to be found somewhere on that?
Mark
I heard about factory retarded valve timing... Is there more details to be found somewhere on that?
Mark
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 1
From: Cullman Alabama
460 low-buck upgrades
Mark, the cam shaft timing(ie: the Opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves) was retarded 8 Degrees for emissions reasons. The Camshaft is 'driven' by this Gear, which is on the end of the Crank.
You may not even notice the difference in any way after changing this Drive gear. The Summit Cam people told me it might have a Lope or a Shake you cant tune out of it.
In the Grinding of Special Cam's the creator finds a valve timing that will produce the best Mixture Flow at as wide of an RPM band as possible.
This gets into Physics. Air movment, is a lot like Fluid Dynamics. It's complicated, not always logica, and influenced by Lots and Lots of protuding things.
But suffice to say, the 460 can handle a pretty torqy street cam, for a ripping accelleration rate with a heckuva load.
It has some other limitations that keep it from being a successful street/strip racer, and it's way too heavy to do any kind of Oval racing.
When I 'Freshened up' my 460, I called summit racing and talked to one of the Tech's, about which cam to use.
I chose a nearly stock cam and lifters because I want this engine to pass emissions. They have several "Happier" cam's for the Young at Heart, and eager of foot!
I bought a Cam and lifters as a set, and got the Chain and gear (gear is for a 69 Lincoln 460) from A.Zone. The Bearings were from NAPA and I had NAPA's machine shop install new cam bearings. He also Miced the crank for me.
If you try to make a Zippy dog out of that old engine, you should plan on pulling it, tearing it down and having some Professional Machine shop guy look at the parts for you. They will know of some 'Bear Traps' to avoid.
You may need a lot of help in this endeavor.
PS: When I changed a timing chain in my 390 it took me about Four hours. It aint easy, and without a Puller it's dang near impossible!
That engine did not have AC either. That stuff adds about a week to each job you do.
You may not even notice the difference in any way after changing this Drive gear. The Summit Cam people told me it might have a Lope or a Shake you cant tune out of it.
In the Grinding of Special Cam's the creator finds a valve timing that will produce the best Mixture Flow at as wide of an RPM band as possible.
This gets into Physics. Air movment, is a lot like Fluid Dynamics. It's complicated, not always logica, and influenced by Lots and Lots of protuding things.
But suffice to say, the 460 can handle a pretty torqy street cam, for a ripping accelleration rate with a heckuva load.
It has some other limitations that keep it from being a successful street/strip racer, and it's way too heavy to do any kind of Oval racing.
When I 'Freshened up' my 460, I called summit racing and talked to one of the Tech's, about which cam to use.
I chose a nearly stock cam and lifters because I want this engine to pass emissions. They have several "Happier" cam's for the Young at Heart, and eager of foot!
I bought a Cam and lifters as a set, and got the Chain and gear (gear is for a 69 Lincoln 460) from A.Zone. The Bearings were from NAPA and I had NAPA's machine shop install new cam bearings. He also Miced the crank for me.
If you try to make a Zippy dog out of that old engine, you should plan on pulling it, tearing it down and having some Professional Machine shop guy look at the parts for you. They will know of some 'Bear Traps' to avoid.
You may need a lot of help in this endeavor.
PS: When I changed a timing chain in my 390 it took me about Four hours. It aint easy, and without a Puller it's dang near impossible!
That engine did not have AC either. That stuff adds about a week to each job you do.
