which engine 460 or 400
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Freshman User
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which engine 460 or 400
I have a 73 high boy it could use a rebuild right now It has a 2v 400 in it with a c6 tranny , but I have a 460 with a c6 out of a 1 ton van and I was thinking about putting the 460 in and what does everyone think?
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Citrus Heights, CA
400? You mean a 390 or 406? If so, stick with the FE block unless you are planning on pulling a house. Check out the FE and 460 forums to get an idea about what the engines are capable of. Your choice will depend on how you want to use the truck. I have both. The 460 is in my Motorhome and does a fine job. The FE is in a '73 highboy and has a LOT of potential.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Calgary Canada
AnOldDog, I'm not sure why you would assume it's not a 400.
The 400 is a decent motor, and it has a lot of potential. It all depends on what you want to do with this truck. For a daily driver, I'd stick to the 400.
The 400 is a decent motor, and it has a lot of potential. It all depends on what you want to do with this truck. For a daily driver, I'd stick to the 400.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Citrus Heights, CA
Originally Posted by seventyseven250
The 400 is a decent motor, and it has a lot of potential.
This is not intended as sarcasm. I apparently missed a step in my education. I am willing to learn.
Lead Driver
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From: Calgary Canada
the 400 is pretty much a stroked out 351 Cleveland. It was a common truck engine through the seventies. the destroked version is the 351M (michigan, modified etc.)
This series of engines is known as the 335 series. FTE has a whole froum dedicated to them. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...splay.php?f=54
The major problem this engine had what that it was crippled in it's later years by terrible emissions controls, which made it a dog.
This series of engines is known as the 335 series. FTE has a whole froum dedicated to them. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...splay.php?f=54
The major problem this engine had what that it was crippled in it's later years by terrible emissions controls, which made it a dog.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Citrus Heights, CA
Thank you, 77-250. Well, orangeconv... Looks like you have yet another forum to check out. How do you want your truck to behave?
Uhhh... There is a lot of the '70s that I don't remember very clearly.
LOL
Uhhh... There is a lot of the '70s that I don't remember very clearly.
LOL
Last edited by AnOldDog; Dec 13, 2005 at 09:49 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sunny Florida
I have always been a 460 guy myself but others swear by the 400. I would weigh the cost of each and go from there.
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I was told it was a 400 with cleveland heads it has a 2 barrel intake on it, it runs preaty well, I am about 95% sure that it is not a fe funny thing is I had a 79 f150 with a 68 390 out of a fairlane. I need a new carb and was looking for a intake/ carb but if I am advised to go with the 460 I am not going to waste my money on the 400.
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You can double check using this.. the number of bolts that hold the valve covers on in various ford engines are different. Here's the list:
5 bolts per cover = FE series big block
6 bolts per cover = Windsor small block
7 bolts per cover = Lima series (429/460) big block
8 bolts per cover = Cleveland or M series
So 5 bolts and you have an FE, 8 bolts and it's a 400 or 351M.. or it has cleaveland heads on it.
5 bolts per cover = FE series big block
6 bolts per cover = Windsor small block
7 bolts per cover = Lima series (429/460) big block
8 bolts per cover = Cleveland or M series
So 5 bolts and you have an FE, 8 bolts and it's a 400 or 351M.. or it has cleaveland heads on it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lewistown, PA
The 351M/400 was not availible until the '77 model year replacing the FE.
If it is a 400, verify that by checking the stroke. A 400 will have a 4" stroke.
A 351M will have a 3.50" stroke.
I would go with the 460 over the 400 for one reason. 60 cubes. I hear a lot of good things about the 400 in terms of durability and power once you get rid of the factory crap. It's just like most engines from the mid to late '70's, retarded cam and smogged down. However, the 460 will make all the torque the 400 will make and then some with more HP. I feel you could mildly build a 460 and have more TQ / HP than the same money on a 400.
You are driving a 5000 lb brick. I feel the 460 and the 400 would net nearly identicle mileage. Heck, my 300 I6 only gets 12-13 mpg. I might as well drop in a 460 and have the power to show for the crappy gas mileage. This is all JMHO though.
If it is a 400, verify that by checking the stroke. A 400 will have a 4" stroke.
A 351M will have a 3.50" stroke.
I would go with the 460 over the 400 for one reason. 60 cubes. I hear a lot of good things about the 400 in terms of durability and power once you get rid of the factory crap. It's just like most engines from the mid to late '70's, retarded cam and smogged down. However, the 460 will make all the torque the 400 will make and then some with more HP. I feel you could mildly build a 460 and have more TQ / HP than the same money on a 400.
You are driving a 5000 lb brick. I feel the 460 and the 400 would net nearly identicle mileage. Heck, my 300 I6 only gets 12-13 mpg. I might as well drop in a 460 and have the power to show for the crappy gas mileage. This is all JMHO though.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: North Texas
The 460 is fairly popular, and has a large aftermarket support. The 400 has friends and enemies and a small aftermarket support. I'm currently building a 400. Personally I think most people who complain about the 400 do so based on pollution control reputation, rather than personal experience. I'll let you know for sure in a few thousand miles!!! None of these engines ran well in the 70's, but it's no longer the 70's. Gas mileage and power are similar from the ranges I've seen in posts. Perhaps the biggest difference is weight. The 460 is 200lbs heavier.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Northwest Iowa
351/400m are ok motors. My 79 bronco had a 351m. My 79 crewcab 4x4 shortbed had a 400m. But, the 460's I put into both have not hurt the gas mileage but has improved the tourque and horsepower considerably. The bronco is way fun.......
In fact, try this:
Use your truck with the 400 or 351m and pull a 76 crewcab 4x4 dana 60's shortbed approximatly 300 miles with a toe bar. Works ok with mileage about 10 mpg going 55 mile per hour. Then, borrow my 79 crewcab 4x4 shortbed with dana 60's(shes fat and heavy), for the tow vehicle. You will not loose speed going up inclines and the gas mileage is 11.5 mpg and run 65 miles per hour.
They are all decent motors. But that 460 not only has a ton of tourqe, horsepower it is also fun to step into. Even in a 6500 plus pound crewcab!! The 200 pounds difference from a 460 to m block only makes a difference if it drops on your foot. Shoot, either way your foot is gonna hurt.
In fact, try this:
Use your truck with the 400 or 351m and pull a 76 crewcab 4x4 dana 60's shortbed approximatly 300 miles with a toe bar. Works ok with mileage about 10 mpg going 55 mile per hour. Then, borrow my 79 crewcab 4x4 shortbed with dana 60's(shes fat and heavy), for the tow vehicle. You will not loose speed going up inclines and the gas mileage is 11.5 mpg and run 65 miles per hour.
They are all decent motors. But that 460 not only has a ton of tourqe, horsepower it is also fun to step into. Even in a 6500 plus pound crewcab!! The 200 pounds difference from a 460 to m block only makes a difference if it drops on your foot. Shoot, either way your foot is gonna hurt.
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From: okc
Originally Posted by thesprocket26
"There is no replacement for displacement"
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lewistown, PA
The nice thing about a 460 is the fact you don't need to gear as low as you do with other engines. You can run a 3.00:1 gearset and still have respectable acceleration.
Also, the 460 weighing 200 lbs more is not really anything to be concerned about. In fact if you replace the intake with an aluminum one , that would shed some weight. If you got an extra $2000 laying around, you could put on a set of SVO Cobra Jet heads that would also shed weight and add HP at the same time.
Also, the 460 weighing 200 lbs more is not really anything to be concerned about. In fact if you replace the intake with an aluminum one , that would shed some weight. If you got an extra $2000 laying around, you could put on a set of SVO Cobra Jet heads that would also shed weight and add HP at the same time.