Waking a 77 460
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Waking a 77 460
Hi all,
I have a stock 77 460 in a F150 Trailer Special. I've put Ravin mufflers on and replaced the stock timing gears with an adjustable Ford performance, set to zero.
What is the next, most noticeable modification I can make to increase HP?
Thanks in advance,
Ed
I have a stock 77 460 in a F150 Trailer Special. I've put Ravin mufflers on and replaced the stock timing gears with an adjustable Ford performance, set to zero.
What is the next, most noticeable modification I can make to increase HP?
Thanks in advance,
Ed
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Waking a 77 460
I would say add a set of Cobra Jet heads from F.R.P.P.,or have your stock cast iron heads ported,and fitted with larger valves.Then you might look into replacing the stock cast iron intake manifold with an aftermarket,aluminum,dual plane version.You might also consider exhaust mods,like headers,and 2 1/2" dual exhaust.An RV-type camshaft would also help,but changing the cam would be expensive,plus you'd have to tear into the engine,whereas the heads&intake manifold&headers are basically bolt on pieces.These upgrades should wake up that '77 460 engine for you.
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Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Missouri
Waking a 77 460
Changing the cam expensive? What about the cobra jet heads?There ten times the cost of a cam change.
Dennis
1979 F-250 4x4 460 4-speed 33"s
1977 Highboy 429 4-speed 35"s
1969 Ranger on a 1978 F-250 4x4
frame 466 560HP 4.10's 33"s
Dennis
1979 F-250 4x4 460 4-speed 33"s
1977 Highboy 429 4-speed 35"s
1969 Ranger on a 1978 F-250 4x4
frame 466 560HP 4.10's 33"s
Posting Guru
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Waking a 77 460
Yes,they are expensive,but like I also posted the stock cast iron heads could be used instead,ported,and fitted with larger valves.If you don't do the work yourself,a cam change job is expensive.
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Waking a 77 460
Thanks for the replies.
It came with factory dual exhaust - and since I just put the new mufflers on, Well, I'm not sure that headers would give me bang for the buck. (I do like the Ravins, not as loud as expected though.)
I think the Cobra Jet heads are probably my best bet. I've heard that compression is the big limiting factor for this year of engine. Heck, I could probably shave 50 pounds by going with aluminum heads!
Is it worth changing the intake manifold?
It came with factory dual exhaust - and since I just put the new mufflers on, Well, I'm not sure that headers would give me bang for the buck. (I do like the Ravins, not as loud as expected though.)
I think the Cobra Jet heads are probably my best bet. I've heard that compression is the big limiting factor for this year of engine. Heck, I could probably shave 50 pounds by going with aluminum heads!
Is it worth changing the intake manifold?
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Waking a 77 460
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Mar-02 AT 11:32 AM (EST)]The Cobra Jet heads are rather expensive($995 each),but they will save weight,and add power.About changing the intake:the stock version is cast iron,but many of the aftermarket versions are made of aluminum,so you'll be saving weight,and adding horsepower.The headers would help,but sometimes you have to retighten header bolts,because you'll get air leaks,and sometimes if not taken care of,you'll end up replacing header gaskets.It is more of a pain,if not anything else,but headers would add to your 460's power.If you want to stay within a certain budget,you could always have your 460's stock,cast iron heads ported&fitted with larger valves,and then just put an aluminum,aftermarket intake manifold,in place of the stock,cast iron one.If you are looking for strictly bolt stuff,I'd stay away from swapping the cam,unless you are thinking about a rebuild.If you aren't doing that job yourself,that can get expensive.You said you truck has factory dual exhaust on it.What diameter is the pipe size?If you are upgrading the heads&intake,the size to consider is 2 1/4",or 2 1/2".Hope this helps.
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Waking a 77 460
If you want cheap bang for the buck, find a set of C8VE-D0VE heads that are in "bolt on" condition and do some home porting on them. they can be found for $100-$200. try http://www.reincarnation-automotive.com . this guy has done a LOT of flow bench experimentation and can give you a really good idea of how to go about porting a set of BBF heads. not only will this bump up your compression about one full point thanks to the smaller chambers, the porting will help a lot too. if cheap power with basically everything being stock is what youre going for, DO NOT get cobra jet heads. they are expensive and would be pretty much worthless if the rest of the engine remained untouched (namely the cam). theyre made for higher revving engines and would not match well at all with your setup. anyway, the older heads would be a great start. you could also get a set of headers and a good dual plane intake as was previously mentioned. a different cam is really where its at though if youre serious about getting more from your engine.
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Waking a 77 460
The timing gear change was a lot of work - I'm no pro, so it took most of the weekend. It is noticeable, but I was dissapointed overall. I think in conjunction with other mod's it's worth it in the long run, but that little weekend fiasco is the main reason why I'm posting here for advice on my next move. I don't want to waste time changing a timing set when I should be looking at better heads instead.
Thanks to all for the advice about the Cobra jet heads - I think I'll pass on them in favor of C8VE-D0VE heads. Much easier on the pocket book and as someone mentioned, better suited for my application.
Someone mentioned headers and asked about diameter. I'm not sure what the size is, but my question is: Will putting headers on as is, without changing to a larger diameter, yield worthwhile results?
Thanks to all for the advice about the Cobra jet heads - I think I'll pass on them in favor of C8VE-D0VE heads. Much easier on the pocket book and as someone mentioned, better suited for my application.
Someone mentioned headers and asked about diameter. I'm not sure what the size is, but my question is: Will putting headers on as is, without changing to a larger diameter, yield worthwhile results?
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From: CHEESELAND, USA
Waking a 77 460
I have to agree with 83f2504x4 that the CobraJet heads aren't a thing with what you are trying to achieve. They flow well on high revving motors. The D8ve heads or any pre '70 heads are great with alittle machining. Also if you can lighten up the motor by changing pistons/rods this will allow the big motor to rev like a small block and still have the torque of a bb. This does get more $$$$. Good luck.
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From: lake ariel usa
Waking a 77 460
I dont know if i would even worry about changing heads until you changed the cam a nice rv/towing cam with an aluminum dualplane intake and headers even with a small cfm carb like a 600 edelbrock would all make great changes and are simple bolt ons with the exception of cam change I personaaly dont think its worth trying to hop up an engine with a stock cam in it
