I am building a 460 engine for my 1970 F-250 4X4. The base engine I am beginning with is one out of a 1979 vehicle I suspect by referencing the engine identification numbers off the decal on the valve covers... even though the heads appear to be 73 heads... cast # D3VE-A2A. I do have some numbers from the block. Back of block drivers side... JKFA1061 and on the front of block Passenger side... 9D24L. I have no clue what these numbers reference???

Where I am at now: I had the block and heads done at the machine shop. Bored out .040 and line bored. Cam bearings installed. Heads were shaved and valves ground. Crank ground .010 under. Due to the CC's of these heads I was informed all I could use was 8.5:1 pistons which were ordered. All other necessary parts ordered. I had previousy already bought the Edelbrock Performer RPM kit (ie. Carburator, intake, and camshaft kit.)

Here are the problems encountered thus far: Apparently machine shop screwed up installing 2nd cam bearing causing it to be scored while installing cam shaft. Had to hone ridge off cam bearing caused by installation tool in order to even get the cam in. Will there be any unforseen problems with this?

Upon inspecting installed cam shaft lifter lobes do not line up with lifter bores??? Looked at old cam shaft out of old engine... and it appears to have been the same way. Is this normal for a 460 big block?

With the performer RPM camshaft can I use the stock stamped steel rockers? Or do I have to have the heads machined and install studs with adjustable rockers? Have read that possibly with this type of cam the rockers may damage the valve stems or hit the spring retainer causing the keepers to pop off?

That is all I have for now... if there is anyone out there with some answers, I would much appreciate the help.

Sorry such a long winded story for these questions.

Knut

 

Knut:
You can find all the answers to your questions in a book by HP books #35 How to rebuild your Ford V8 351c 351m 429 460 by TOM Monroe.
Make sure your valve spring heights are correct,Because this can cause excess pressure on the cam lobes and cause failure. The voice of experience.
Yes the the lifter bores don't line up this is done so that the lifters will rotate. On your cam bearings have the machine shop install new ones because the damaged one is probably oversize.
The stock steel rockers are fine i have run this setup in my motor with out no problems.
Get the book Read the book.

 

D3VE tells me that the casting is from a 73 Lincoln. 9D24L Looks like a date code. 9D24 would be (7)9 April 24 perhaps L for lincoln?
good luck, just finishing a 390 top end rebuild myself, just fired for the first time today
BBTruck

 

 

ya for the cam the bores r suppose to off center. what this does is spin or rotate the lifters. its a normal thing. the lifters need to rotate in order to prevent premature wear. if tehy didnt they would constantly rub the same spot till u burned'm. every ford motor i've seen r the same. dont sweat it

 

You didn't say how much off the cam lobes don't line up with the lift bores. Do have the original cam you removed? When compared side by side, everything should match (overall length, journals and lobes) Look closely at the front ends of both cams.

 

the lobe it self should be about in the middle of the bore maybe a lil less.its just the way its made.

 

While sorting out other problems on newly rebuilt racing engines in the last 3 years, I have run across two 460 engines with aftermarket cams with the edge of the lobes lined up about 3/8" from side of lifter bore. In other words, I could look down into the bores and see a 3/8" gap between the edge of the lobe and the side of the bore. I don't remember the brand name of cams. Since I am not familiar with 460s, I did tell the engine owners to go back to their rebuilders. I never found out the results.

 

i got sum info on this topic ... but i gotta find it.now teh cams u spoke of .. where they roller type or flat tappit. roller cams r pretty much lined up but. i will do my best to locate that info on this topic and get back to u sortly

 

Flat tappet cam and lifters. I'd really like to know what's up. I couldn't figure I'd see two setups like this if it was wrong. Usually guys that build race motors know what they are doing.

 

well like i said ... the bottom of the lifters has a convex shape to it. with it sitting off center slightly it will rotate the lifter to prevent wear spots.if ya go to a bone yard look at several motors with the intake and lifters out. u'll c this alot. if the lifters didnt rotate and the lobes hit the same spot everytime with sliding friction it would burn up and quickly put a concave wear pattern in the bottom of the lifter.i've belt 2 429's and they r all the same. the first 1 i built was in machine shop class ( at peirce college ) this is what the instructor preached and since all the cars i've seen in the bone yard r the same, theres a reason for the madness.

 

Good idea, tomorrow I'll head to the Pick a Part to see for myself.

 

aight .. wish i could hlp ya more but.. this is what i know also look at more than just ford. many automakers do this

 

Yes on a 460 th lobes are off some. If it looks excessive check the plug in the back of the cam for the right depth this could hold the cam forward or let it go to far back. Also install the timing gear and chain and chain cover this might make it look a little better because they act as a locator against the cam backing plate. Also do not use the messed up cam bearing if you had to hone it it will be junk. This can cause low oil pressure a and lead to cam faliure. And yes you can use you stock rockers to an extent it depends on spring pressure RPM and lift. Stock rockers can become unreliable after so much.

 

well when rebuild'n a motor u replace the cam thrust plate. when the plate is bolted down and the cam and timing gear r bolted together it pretty much takes up the slack. us'n the plug at the back of the block is a bad idea. its a thinner metal and can wear threw if ya did that