I'm planning an engine/drive train setup for my 59 f250.

What years did the emissions take effect on the 460?
From what I've read, pre emission 460s were 370HP/500TQ and post emission were around 220HP/300TQ.

I thought it was 1972 and earlier were non-emission and 1973 and later were emission but just read that 1971 was the last year for big power stock.

Can someone please clear this up.

Thanks,
-Colin

 

i'm just throwing this out but, watching some classic car tv show they said in the early 70's car companies kinda fudged the numbers by testing them differently, a chassis and engine dyno will give fairly different results. thats how the muscle cars got by at first. so the 73- 74 may be mechanicly the same but advertised differently.

some one will come and correct me.

 

The 460 was intro'd in '68, so they had "emissions" equipment of one sort or another from day one. In 1972, HP ratings were changed from a gross standard to a net standard. Net tended to be about 80% of the old gross, depending on engine and application. Info on that change, more available if you search "sae net horsepower":

What Horsepower Really Means

The early 460s and 429s had higher compression amongst other features that made modest power for their size. (Some 429s were hi-po, Cobra Jet, Super Cobra Jet, maybe Thunder Jet--try to find one) The gross hp rating was 365. I'm guessing 460s had 10:1 or so CR, so the rating may have been fairly accurate, who knows. More on that later. After '73, the net rating came into effect, plus lower compression, down into the 8s, a poorer head design, plus retarded timing and other smog efforts. HP numbers dropped like rocks.

Ford Classics - Engine Specs

A little work, like a complete overhaul with the right stock heads or aftermarket heads, compression, cam etc, and you can make lots '0 power.

460 site with excellent info and build levels:

460 Horsepower Chart (revised 1/24/09) - 460 Ford Forum

So now I see from your other thread you are on something of a budget...but do you really think you are going to find a 'plug & play' high HP 460 from 1968-72? That really isn't as high a HP as you thought? Most are worn out, or compromised in some way requiring a full tear down, or have been rebuilt already to who-knows-what spec.

Don't get caught up in those old numbers. Get a sound engine, add a few parts, and away you go.

 

460's in Lincoln's only thru 1971, the only Ford that used a 460 prior to 1973 was the 1972 Thunderbird.

The 1968/72 Fords (and Merc's) except the '72 Birds largest available V8 was the 429.

 

Also remember that in '72 when the horsepower rating change went into effect, leaded gasoline disappeared and the compression numbers dropped from 10.5 to 1 down to 8.5 to 9.0 to 1. Big loss of power there too. All 460s and 429s had a minimum of a PCV system which qualifies as emissions equipment. Then of course The Peoples Republic of Kalifornia and their air pumps. The pump came off my 1969 428CJ the day the warranty expired.

 

Damn them Kalifornicators.