I tried to find some info in this thread, as I was directed to this listing for the 385's, but didn't run across any info.

I just purchased a 77 highboy with a 400 4sp, 4wd.

I had a posting in the 73-79 forum asking if it was worth my time to swap out the 400 for the 460PI or just building the 400. I decided to drive it with the 400 for a while, as I built the 460 up. But I began to wonder just what the difference is between the 460 and the 460PI.

I don't want to be changing out the wrong part, and eliminate the whole benifit of having the PI engine.

Here is my ?

What is the difference in the 460 and the 460PI, and what is the best mods for this engine? I want to be able to get in the truck and drive it with out worry, but I want the truck to have a little extra ***** in its britches, on about a $1,500 budget.

 

I just found some information that says the valves and ports are larger on the Interceptor heads. Is their any truth to that?

 

well the PI was a 429 not a 460 first and formost, the interceptor heads are casting number D2OE and if you have that casting number yes they have larger valves, they are second only to CJ/SCJ heads for performance potiential and are a great set to build a good performance engine out of.

 

hhmmmmm, I think I need to check my block numbers out. I know the motor isn't a factory install. I bought the whole truck for parts, anticipating using the motor for my highboy. When I popped the hood, I noticed it said 460-4v on the breather, then a smaller sticker to the right says policeinterceptor. The motor doesn't look as though it has been apart, but I haven't really tore into it. Where are the numbers on the heads to see if I do have the d02e

 

Just reread my post and realized the way it's worded is a mistake so let me rephrase my post, the PI motor that was actually different was the 429. The 460 interceptor motors had the same heads as the regular 460s with the same valves etc and will have to look again but I think were only used in 77 and 78 as I recall.

 

So what is the difference in the 460's then? Assuming that mine is a 77 or 78.

 

get me the casting numbers off your heads and we can go from there, thats the important part anyway.

 

will get them as soon as the snow lets me.

 

IIRC the police intercepter in 73 and 74 was a 460 with better heads and manifolds by 75 they were just regular 460's. I have a 73 Merc interceptor and it has the CJ style manifolds along with the oil to water engine cooler and also came with in tank electric fuel pump.

 

I built a 77' PI 460 and put it into my 82' F-150. After all my research was done I learned that the only things different in the PI 460 were all parts you throw away in a rebuild anyways. You've got D3VE heads same crank, pistons, 9000lbs intake manifold the big difference I found was they didn't have that plastic cam gear. 460's kick *** anyways so I would get right to throwing your 400 into a scrap pile and putting the worlds greatest big block in the worlds greatest truck.

 

My .02...

I personally would build the 460. Drive you're truck while building the 460, then when the 460 is done, schedule a weekend for a swap and done.

I went through the same dilema recently, sort. My truck came with a 460, but I have a 400 in my garage (or did anyway).

My friend has a '77 with a 400, and we've done a fair bit of reading while he was doing his swap (bad bearings) He ended up with a 351M and is very happy.

All our reading led us to believe that the 400 really does have potential. If you have 4v heads with bigger valves, an aluminum intake, and a good ignition system, it's a fairly potent motor. They were really happered by emission laws, and it was doomed to fail as a "popular motor" as it got so much bad press.

It's a fairly well designed motor, being that it's Fords most recent and last pushrod design V8. If you want to take the time to build it, it can be a badass motor, perfect for a truck. But the 460 has plentiful parts, and is ya know, bigger

I will say that my friends '77 supercab must weight more than my '85 Standard, but his 351M scoots that truck along right up there with my 460.

 

O.k. I have D3VE heads. I have been reading more in the 385 forum, and have pretty much determined that I won't have to do as much to be happy with my 460. Correct me where I need corrected here, as I am still learning the way of the 385. I need to improove the flow in my heads (don't start evilcrewcab, I'm not listening to stupidity). I don't really want to get crazy-nuts with this truck. I just want to be able to do just about what ever tempts me. From my understanding, I need to start by grinding out the bump in the exhaust port, and fill in the emission hole. Then port match the intake, as well as upgrade to a healthy intake and carb, (open for suggestions, just prefferably not Holley. Bad experiences, and I just flat don't like em'). Then a cam and timing set to eliminate thr possible nylon timing gear. While it's apart, an oil pump, and at last a biit of an ignition upgrade.

With that, I am afraid of buying the wrong combonation of parts. What cam to go with what intake to go with what carb. I want power, and reliability. I am really not wanting to stroke it out, but I am up for pistons if need be. I was thinking about doing the edelbroke top end kit, but don't know if that would be satisfy me. What would you guys do?


P.S. This is a cry for Monsterbaby!!!!
----------> He obviously knows a bit about 460's

 

yes porting the heads would be a big help for sure no matter what you are going to do even just a mild build. before intake and cam selections or even head selections can be suggested you need to let us know exactly what you plan on doing with this, what your goals are as to drivability etc adn what type of budget you have to work with, sometimes those three aren't compatable but we can figure that out.

 

I need a truck that I can take across the county with no worries as far as dependability, but I need to be able to pull on some pretty large items, without worry either. Basically some good dependable muscle. I have a shop that I do alot of work out of. Lately, it's been the scrapping game, just for the extra buck. But their have been some things that have been offered to us that were gold mines, but my little 302 just doesn't have what it takes. So I got the Highboy.

With that, I need to be able to drive my truck out there to get the scrap, and make it back with out having to stop and buy parts. I have about 1,500-2k to spend.


p.s. that's county not count"R"y. I wouldn't drive to cali for a yugo

 

Your Heads are 73 460 heads 91.4 cc chamber volume and a 8.5 to 1 compression(on a 72-73 block), regular production heads. Check your Intake valve size 2.08 (approx 2-1/16") is reg and 2.19 (approx 2-3/16") bigger is a PI

I used a 272 comp cam with double roller timing chain on my 68 460 with stock 4V manifold and it ran great. Beware of cheap rebuild kits!! My valve stem seals got hard, fell apart and clogged the oil pump with only 20k on the first rebuild. Had to grind the crank and install new bearings. I now have a edlebrock performer and holley vacuum secondary carb. I also ground the speed bump out of my heads, luckly it was not drilled for emmissions yet. I have done plenty of 700 mile trips with my truck it has plenty of power but sucks plenty of gas. (34 inch tall tires) I am actually thinking of trying a 2 bbl carb. I used the car rods instead of truck rods (they say truck rods are stronger) But I am not drag racing and the motor is going on 60k and 12 years.
Evan

P.S. Headers and a good exhaust are a must otherwise you loose the gain of your port work