how do these engines compare for surviving tons of
pedal to the metal driving? accelaration characteristics?
what are eachs redlines? stock motors im talking 390 2v vs
460 2v or 4v from a 70's truck, oh yah most important how
loud is a 460 with dual 2-1/2" 6 foot long straight pipes.




Fe power

 

I have had both engines, 460 4V stock, and 390 had a 428 crank with only a 2V. Both are good strong motors, and last long. Just look at how long they have each been around?
Aftermarket is good with both as well, so depending on what upgrades you do, you should be able to stomp around quite nicely. Keep in mind there are always limits, such as extended high rpm travel. Keep things well maintained and always check fluids.
Mark


https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=5362&.jpg
Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

 

Both are excellent motors, however I think that a 460 is slightly cheaper on performance parts just being the more popular motor of the two. Plus there is more interchange combanations for a 460. A 460 with dual straights is going to be pretty darn loud. I had a 76 4x4 with a mild 390 in it 2.5" pipes of the headers out in front of the rear tires and it sounded like a stock car going down the road, even idling I was loud.

Brian

P.S. There is no replacement for displacement

 

The 460 engine is more of a work horse engine where the 390 is a hotrod engine theres no need to max the rpms on a 460 to get the power out of it. The 390 needs the Revs because the power is higher on the rpm scale so cranking her up to 3000 grand or so isn't a problem. If you want a hotrod big block try find a 429 as you know the same block as the 460 but the 429 has a shorter stroke so it revs a bit better. A 460 would burn a bit less fuel than a 390 and you can't get a 2v carb for a 460 but the 4v doesn't drink that much gas if you keep out of the 4 barrels.

If I was going to make a work truck that was going tobe pulling trailers or hauling heavy loads the 460 would be my choice but if I was going to make a hotrod truck that will be used for lesure use I would go with the 390.

It is hard to find parts for 390s nowwadays they are getting pretty rare heck they haven't been made for 25 years where as the 460 has been made since 98.

 

>Plus there is more interchange
>combanations for a 460


In all my reading, I have read that the FE engine is the most interchangeable series of engine around (in the Ford lineup). There was a 330MD, 330HD, 332, 352, 352HP, 359, 360, 361, 389, 390, 390 HP, 391, 410, 427, 428. There is almost a board game of how many parts you can mix and match with these engines. Just watch compression height when changing pistons and rods: Heads interchange a lot, just watch water passages and carb heat... Intakes(high, medium, low rise), distributors, cranks, etc etc...
The 460 is interchangeable with the 429, plus you can use the same distributor as the 335 or Cleveland series.
That is about it, from what I've studied... Is there more interchange for the 460 that I am not aware of?
Mark


https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=5362&.jpg
Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-Jul-02 AT 02:35 AM (EST)]I had my completely stock 460 with about 5 feet of pipe and I agree with the stock car sound, but when I ran through town with just the open headers it was ground shaking (got some strange looks too). IMHO I would rather build and run a 460, but may build a 429 for a mud racer im thinking about making. Dont forget the 406 FE Trinogt, I have a friend that had one with triple dueces in a 59 ford or something like that. Isnt the weight of a 390 close to that of the 460, but minus 70 cubic inches. Theres no replacement for displacement
Chase

1979 F-250 4x4
71 460 Holley650, MSD OFFROAD, L&L Headers
C6-B&M Transpack
Dana HD44Front/60Rear
35 inch Goodyear Implement Tires
4 inch Skyjacker System
Much more to come
[link:www.tarleton.edu/students/jwillms/ChasesOldFord.com|My Truck]

 

I was really kind of thinking that there are more transmission that will bolt up to a 460 (351M/400, 429/460 were the same) and the fact that there is not a overdrive trans. available for an FE that I know of. You are pretty much limited to a FMX, C-6, or a manual that was put behind a FE.

There are more sources for engine swaps with a 460 also. Yes the 460 is a work horse, but I have a mildly built 460 in a 79 bronco that safely revs to 5800 rpm and I have a friend with a 429SCJ in a 65 f100 that thinks he might have trouble keeping up with me.

By the way my 460 (130mph in a 79 bronco) will blow the doors of my 390.

Just my 2 cents

Brian

 

By the way forgot to mention that I was toasting a rice rocket when I found out that it would go 130mph

Brian

 

Thanks for the responses, I have a 1970 250 camper S. w/390 2v
and 4 gear with 4.10 rear with dual striaght pipes, it's a low
hollow pipe noise until I step on it then it jes friggin
roars!!!I ve had people yelling and cursing from thier porches..
so I lit it up for'em too!!!
I just want to be able to rev to 4100 to 4500 or so
with out worrys and have the most guts to do so.
gas isn't a big deal as long as its around 8mpg on
the high way,I drive occassionaly 3 times a week or so
and do haul shake wood, fire wood often enough to
require heavy stuff.


Fe power

 

Why would you say no 2V 460.
We had a 1970 mercury monterey wagon new with a high compression (need premium wnhen premium really was high octane) 429 2V.
Correct me if I am wrong but that 429 2V intake should fit 460 crab heads OK.

My dad ordered it with the 2V hoping it would not ping on regular but no dice. His brother got same year mercury marquis wagon with the flip up head light covers and the 4V 429.

 

Yes, the 406 was an awesome motor, made specifically for racing only. I omitted it on purpose, since it is virtually impossible to find, for ANY kind of parts interchange.
But, go ahead and add that one if ya want!
Mark

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=5362&.jpg
Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

 

I dont see how anyone could call a 390 more of a hotrod engine. The 390 Tripower was rated 401 and thats the most factory hp of them that I found. they have a much stiffer bottom end with forged cranks on some, also some had set ups for pto drives. Ive seen them go over 300k without rebuilds. They dont like much rpm either without $ work.You have to spend a lot for hp on these FEs. 460s are much easier to coax hp out of, more dis. for the weight,lots better flowing heads(arguably as good as hemis and bb chevys)and SOOOO much cheaper and easier to find parts for. Also the valve train on FEs is better set up for long life than high rpm. In my oppinion FEs are more durable when kept in their range. A 460 is a real high power producer that was design a decade later to be better than bb chevys, and considering that they lasted almost 30 years without much change is a very strong statement. The FEs were very stout but just too heavy and not real efficient with combustion. I had an older guy that wanted to race my 79 shorty with a warmed up 460 to his souped up 390 in a 75 or so Pu a few years ago but I declined not knowing my truck well at the time. I wish I had! My truck is ill handeling at 90 plus, needs susp. work I guess. Mine runs low 14s at 95 or so with easy take offs wich will keep up with my 92GT. I think thats cool.

 

I think most pto equipped engines were the FT's. You could also get a 361 or 391 FT with an attachment for oiler for air pumps to power air brakes.
The 390 HP was rated at 375 hp in 1962, which is 10 hp more than that for the 460 4V in later years.
In my opinion, both engines are very much worth building up for performance. It is a matter of preference. I have seen both motors do real well power wise, and the fact that the 460 came stock through most of it's years in watered-down performance in the emissions era makes the 390 a better engine for power if you have one in stock form. But most people will rebuild either since they are hard to come by with low miles. They both look nice when dressed up, too, and no hardcore Ford buff will put you down for driving an FE.
(nor should they!)
Mark

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=5362&.jpg
Ford started it; Ford will finish it!

 

My heads came from the first 460 in a 68 lincoln mkIII. 375 hp and 500ftlbs torque. I never saw any good budget buildups of 390s or anything I could imagine doing for that matter with it, that made over 400hp, or I would have. My first car was a 68 Galaxie with 390 and I now own a 67 2drht with a 390 4bbl. I plan to make a 410 or 428 out of it. I chose the 460 cause of cubes,weight,total cubes potential, availability,power potential and prices. I really would rather have a 427 high riser or of course a cammer, but Im not a filthy rich man (just filthy sometimes). I imagined a pretty stock 460 making well over 400hp with well over 500 torque without a lot of money. I couldnt see those numbers with an FE. I bought my parts truck for 300 dollars whole,The lincoln heads 50$, and the whole 74 lincoln460 for 75$.I might have spent 2500 tops for the complete change from 302 to complete rebuilt 460 and trans. The stock cast crank is good for 700hp. That opened my eyes. I dont have a clue what kind of power I have now but the torque is ungodly.