I have some questions on these engines. I want to build up a 5th wheel tow rig. E350. 370 & 429 engines were the norm in the mid 80's Med/HD trucks w/gas engines and were available with roadranger transmissions with 10 or more gears. Why were the 370/429 engines, better in Med duty trucks than the 460? If they were better than the 460, wouldn't the 370/429 make a better 5th wheel camper puller with
a 6 plus gear, HD transmission? Is the pilot bushing hole in the 460 crank, the same size as a 370 or 429? Thanks for any answers or input.
Bob :-)

 

 

Ford has a "Super Duty V8" with a displacement of 477 that was used in the medium/heavy trucks. This engine borrows quite a few design ideas from the FE family. Anyway, with the small difference between 460 and 477, there was probably no reason to offer the (relatively) lighter duty 460.

I assume the 370 and 429 were intended for the truck buyer that wanted a smaller engine. The 351C/351W/351M/400 are probably too light duty for use in the larger trucks.

Ludis

 

I wish I had all the answers for you, but I can tell you this, after almost 15 years of working on those medium duty trucks I deserve to put in my two cents. We( my work ) have quite a few trucks with the 370-429 engines installed. Mostly F-600's and F-800's. The older trucks around 85 seemed to come with 370,s and the newer ones with 429,s what amazed me is that they also came with 2V carbs. Not what you would expect in that enviroment would you. Anyway we have a f600 towtruck that we use like it was a Peterbuilt towtruck. I have towed anything under the sun out there. Including flat towing 60,000 lb tow tractors with it. We have a special weight for the front to keep the front down. It never misses a beat. Mind you we tow them slow . But they have pleanty of power. Last year or so it overheated and we decided to put a new engine in. We had trouble getting a long block 370 from ford so a 429 took its place. I can hardly tell any change in power. The newer, 1990's vintage trucks are 460 fuel injected. They are great, now more fouled spark plugs when the knot heads leave the manual choke on. Nothing a bigger pain than changing plugs on these trucks. I guess I rambling on here huh. The trucks we have all have the Allison automatic transmission. Thats the only way to go...

 

I am trying to put a 370 4v in my 78 f150 4x4. It was going fine untill I tried to install the 460 c6 torque converter and found the snowt diamiter is to big to fit in the 370 crank by about 3/8". Does anyone know if there is a converter that I can buy for this?

 

"I have some questions on these engines. I want to build up a 5th wheel tow rig. E350. 370 & 429 engines were the norm in the mid 80's Med/HD trucks w/gas engines and were available with roadranger transmissions with 10 or more gears. Why were the 370/429 engines, better in Med duty trucks than the 460?"

There you have it. They treated it like a diesel, with a 10 speed tranny. Or, a slushbox automatic that let the motor rev 4K to 5K RPMs. These motors had no special amounts of HP or torque. Why use a 460 in this application? The 370 and 429 could rev higher because of their short stroke.