Hey`
OK well, I own a 1969 F-250 2x4 with a 360c.i. engine, with a .030 overbore. This and a few other aftermarket parts plus a complete rebuild has left me with a good engine. Now, I know originally this truck had a 390c.i. block in it. I am happy with this 360 but I just want more. I came across a 460 that was out of a 79` Bronco I think. Anyway I was just wondering how big of an engine I could fit in my truck and also, will it need any major modifications? I have a rebuilt C-4 transmission automatic right now. Any information would be great- thanks guys.

 

The 460 is of the 385 series (or family). The 360/390 is of the FE family. They are totally different. Even though they are both called Big Blocks.

The 460 will fit physically. It does take some costume fab work for motor mounts and a few other little things. I think someone (a Company) makes a motor mount kit for the 460 in our trucks, but I am not sure. The 460 could add a lot of trouble or it could add alot of grunt. Depends on the amount of work you want to go through. GOOD LUCK


Scotty

 

Ford installed 460ci engines in these trucks. Ford mounts are available in junk yards (not plentiful but available). C6 transmission for a FE will not bolt to a 460. C6 is available for the 460 as is any other part you would need for this swap. I would advise finding all the brackets and odd bits and pieces that make or break a swap like this before you install it. You'd be surprised how much time and money it takes to hunt down all the parts. Then again that’s half the fun and if you’re into old Fords you already know that. I'd go for it! Let us know how it goes.
William in Atlanta

 

>OK well, I own a 1969 F-250 2x4 with a 360c.i. engine, I have a rebuilt C-4 transmission automatic right now.

I wasn't aware that Ford put any C4's behind FE's. I thought they were limited to the C6 and manual transmissions

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Nov-02 AT 10:37 AM (EST)]I agree, there should not be any C4s behind FE or 429/460 Motors.
It should be a C6 or possibly and FMX.

C4s are lighter and were not originally intended to handle that kind of torque. They can be upgraded, but it's expensive and usually done for Hot Rods where the weight savings is more important.

 

When, exactly, did Ford start making the 460 available in light duty trucks? I didn't think they were ever available in the 67-72 trucks. The FE series was available (352 in 1967, and 360 and 390 from 68-72), along with the 302 small block from mid-69 on, but not the 385 series.

I know that the 360 and 390 were available through the '76 model year, and that the 460 was available by the late 70s (though the 302, 351M and 400M were more common).

I've also been told that the frame rail width changed for the 73 model year, but then I've heard from others that it didn't (at least not in the front). Which is it? If I find a '78 with a 460, can I swap the motor into a 67 by stealing the towers, mounts and tranny from the donor (along with the motor and all the bolt-ons, of course)? What else is needed to make the conversion?

 

I had pondered the same issues with the thoughts of going to a 429/C6 from a Merc. I found that if you have all the donor vehicle parts at your disposal, life should be good. The motor for the 429/460 (385 series) engine is only backed with a C6. I don't believe that I would want much less anyhow... Having the mounts and perches from a truck "should" fit right into the older vehicle, even possibly make it a "bolt-in" application. There are even a few companies that sell a complete motor swap kits, if of course you do prefer to not visit the local salvage yard.
If all else fails, I have found that a large hammer and an experienced welder always manage to get the project finished!

 

>When, exactly, did Ford start making the 460 available in
>light duty trucks?

'73, and you could get it in a F100!

Barry

 

I don't think a 460 bronco was offered. Most were 351 or 400 m. If it is from a 4x4 bronco it has a different oil pan and sump than what you will need.If it is from a 2wd 73-79 truck it has what you need. Towers accessory brackets everything is a bolt in.

 

>I don't think a 460 bronco was offered.

Yeah, I was wondering about that too but it still could be. The 460 is by far the most popular engine swap in the '78-'79 Bronco.

Tell me if I'm wrong but I thought all 460 pickup and van engines were the same with rear sumps and narrower exhaust manifolds.

Barry

 

Thanks for the input on this topic. So far I have not choosen which route to take. There was something said about my transmission above. Its a C-4, and its matched with a 360c.i. engine. Is that rare? I know there was very minor modifications done to the truck when I bought it, but the previous owner said the only thing done was the engine- which was only a 360 because he cracked the block on the original 390. I am pretty sure that tranny is the stock one. Oh yes- one more general question that I have never had answer- what seperates a "big block" from a "small block"? I was just curious. Thanks again for the help guys,
Tristin.


1969 Ford F-250, Honda Garnet Red Paint, shaved everything you can think of, rear roll pan, tailgate skin, Boyds rims and it turns the heads of every guy in a Chevy....

 

I really think you have a C6 tranny. Unless somebody did some custom work without good reason. As I said above, the only reason I can think to customize a C4 to fit an FE engine, is to save weight for a drag car, mustang or the like. I can't imagine why anybody would do the work then mate it to a 360 in a pickup.

Big Block -Generally refers to the 429/460 motors, but most people also consider the FE series (360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428 and a few others)to be "Big Blocks"

Small blocks refer to the smaller V8s, 260 (and some smaller ones I can't recall), 289, 302, 351 but also include the 400 since it is the same block at the 351.

It is really a generic term that I believe was borrowed from the Cheby guys. Ford actually has several series of V8 engines that can't be divided into 2 distinct groups.

 

Its an automatic, column shift. If it is indeed a C-6, how do I see the difference vs. a C-4? My brother has a 1971 Bronco with a 302c.i., 3-spd manual and from what we know, its a C-4 in my beast. Any input would be helpful. Thanks`