Ford 460 Truck engine

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Feb 3, 2006 | 07:05 PM

JR'sFord

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Ford 460 Truck engine

I have a 1939 Ford Pickup that I'm slowly getting parts together to build. I have a 1976 F-250 with a 460 automatic that I was thinking about taking the motor and tranny out of to build up, but not knowing allot about Fords I heard their was a difference between a 460 out of a truck and one out of a ford car. I was wondering it the 460 would be worth building up I would like to set the motor up for a blower or turbo or should I look for something else. I plan one having everything Ford for this 39. I also have a 351M but I heard this is a boat anchor and not worth building because of the limited parts and high cost.
Thanks JR

Feb 3, 2006 | 08:15 PM

davethecow

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From: fallon nv

Try the 385 seires forum.The gang down there eat and sleep these motors.

Feb 3, 2006 | 08:17 PM

94_turbo

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351 m is a good engine--just a detuned cleveland--with a diff bellhousing pattern--and--some of the truck 460's had the "football" rods--

Feb 3, 2006 | 08:25 PM

Torque1st

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Hello- Welcome to FTE! I have moved your post to the specialized forum we have here for your question. Check out the list of tech forums we have here. There is a wealth of information and expertise here to help you. There are a number of links in my sig below to help you also. Have fun!

The 351M is a low performance engine but it can be easily converted to a 400 which is a good engine. Check the threads in the 335 series forum for more 351M/400 info.

Feb 4, 2006 | 05:33 AM

RTM

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From: Sunny Florida

The block and heads are the same between the car and the truck motor. The only difference is the connecting rods which has been mentioned. The truck got the stronger connecting rods. The next question is did the 76 come from the factory with the 460?

Either way a good set of after market rods would be worth looking into for your build. I alos do not care for the 35M/400 engine but others do.

Feb 4, 2006 | 06:56 AM

JR'sFord

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Yes, this is the orginal motor for the truck it is a 76 F-250 camper special.
JR

Feb 4, 2006 | 08:19 AM

banjopicker66

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From: Coal country

If the motor is in good shape, then the best balance of upgrades would be to merely change the timing set. The timing is retarded for pollution reasons, but the '70 and earlier timing sets for the 429/460 will restore full power.
The next best upgrade would be to change the camshaft (and intake and carb) out for power or lope, but that's a personal call.
The stock engine with all stock components except for the earlier timing set will absolutely astound you.
I put a 460 into my '66 F-100, and changed the timing set, the intake and the carb. It runs fantastic.
I changed the intake and carb out because the carb on there was a Holley, and I wanted an Edelbrock.

Last edited by banjopicker66; Feb 4, 2006 at 08:28 AM.

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Feb 4, 2006 | 08:47 AM

Mtthwvn73

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From: northeast, KY

i think if your going to run a blower...then you need to get a set of aluminum heads...they can take alot more compression than the stock heads

Feb 4, 2006 | 09:43 AM

#10

monsterbaby

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From: iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR'sFord

I plan on rebuilding the motor I also have a set of 429 heads I think they are year 71-72 they aren't the HP ones, I wonder if I should put some aluminum or try the 429 heads. any thoughts?
JR

Ok if your setting it up for a blower definatly stay away from those early heads with an exception that you said they aren't and thats the HP ones. the 71 should have DOVE heads and those have a fairly small chamber (75cc) and are gong to boost your compression which is not a good thing when you want to run a blower as you need to get the static compression down. And if they are 72 heads then they would be the D2VE heads which are an open chamber design and very prone to detonation which is definatly a bad thing on a supercharged engine (bad thing on any engine but even worse with a supercharger) The 76 will have D3VE heads on it if someone hasn't swapped them out, and those woulld be a better choice as they can be made to flow as well as the early heads and would have the 95cc chambers to keep the static compression ratio down for you.
Alum heads if you can afford them are a good choice as you can run more compression with the same gas without detonation, they will flow better. But once again do some research on which ones you want because some come with 72cc chambers and once again if running a blower your giong to have to watch your static compression numbers.

Feb 4, 2006 | 01:03 PM

#11

Bill_Beyer

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From: PacNW

Congrats on wanting to keep it all Ford

I get really tired of seeing old Ford iron restored and then desecrated with Bowtie engines.

The 460 is a great motor to start with for a buildup. As eveyone else has said you need to keep a close eye on the C.R. if you're going to use forced induction. Generally a static C.R. of 7.5-8.0:1 is best depending on how much boost you want to run. Piston to deck clearance will play a big part in keeping detonation to a minimum as well.