I've got a line on a 1974 460 out of a Torino for $125. I don't have it yet, I'm going to pick it up next week. Just wondering if it is a good engine or not. I've seen on here about this head and that head. So I'm just wondering if you guys could tell me about this engine. I don't really know much about the 460, all of my engines have been small blocks and the FE line.

Thanks

 

You cant beat $125. Its probably a D1 block somewhere in the 8.5:1 CR range. If i was you, I'd pick it up.

I'm sure someone else will be along with more info...

 

IF the block is within spec for a rebore, it is a good engine to build into something worthy of the title. Stock, '74 was near the bottom of the abyss performance wise. 220 horse out of a 460. Check the postings here, lots of talk about what heads are best etc.

What is the plan with this engine? If you just want to bolt it in as-is, pass and look for a later model. That's a great price, but then an old pooch usually doesn't bring much.....

 

I wasn't aware they ever put 460s in the Torino expecially with the gas issues at that time. Just the 429.

 

my book here says 73 429, 74-75 had the 460 hp says 195,220,and 260. it doesnt specify which cars got what hp. the 260 had 8.8:1 compression the others had 8.0:1

 

At some point the engine will be redone and put in a truck I am building. It will be a very heavy duty 4x4 work/farm truck. I am hoping to get as much torque and hp at as low an RPM as possible, within a financial reason. I'm leaning toward torque then HP as I need the truck to pull whatever I put in or behind it. This seemed like a good 460, and I'm having one heck of a time just finding any 460. So I'm going to get it and put it in my building until I'm ready to do something with it. Right now I'm working on the chassis, axles etc. Next will come the body, and lastly the engine. I'm sure when I get to the engine build I will be on here a lot, but for now I'd like to hear some ideas on a plan for the engine.

edited to add that I need the engine to run on regular pump gas and not high test

 

well you may get a few different views how to accomplish that, and there may be more than one way. for my current 514 and the 468 i'm just going to start putting together i always phone a couple of cam companies to see what they recommend. they are usually in the ballpark as each other. but that can only come after you have some of it ready. so you'll have to first see exactly what you got. likely a D1VE block and D3VE heads. but who knows what may have been done with that engine. you'll want some higher comp pistons i'm guessing but you dont need 12:1 or nothing like that. you can get a set of hyperutectic (spelling) pistons pretty reasonable. if you're staying with the Iron heads then a basic rebuild would likely be fine for you. i dont know your budget or anything but you basically need to make a goal and stick to it. dont get off track by the nice polished valve covers and 1050 dominator carbs. just a nice dual plane intake and your choice of carb i guess.

 

basically any year 460 makes a good starting point for the type of build you want. Pre-72 460's made 365hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque at 2600rpm, which is a ton of torque. but they also had 10.5:1 compression and barely live on premium fuel of today.

getting 400 - 500hp out of yours is a pretty straightforward build. look at the kits from Summit, Jeg's, etc as a starting point for the major rebuild components (pistons, rings, bearings, etc). you will want to choose pistons in the 9 - 9.5:1 ratio. depending on cam you select, you can probably run regular gas as long as you are not towing or heavy loads. the D3VE heads that the 74 used are decent heads with some work and have 95cc (give or take) chambers so you can get decent compression ratios with either flat tops or mild dished pistons. you will want to get a decent valve job done (even maybe look at going to 2.19/1.74 valves if budget will allow) and some mild port work especially on the exhaust side to make the heads flow better. the exhausts on the stock Ford heads are horrible and need help to make any kind of decent hp numbers.
pick a cam in the 250 - 260 duration range for decent low end torque with a cam that has higher exhaust duration to help out the exhaust side.

a good dual plane intake (like the Weiand Stealth intake) and a 750 cfm carb will make a very good intake combination.

picking the right compression and cam will be the major determing factor in how much hp and what type of gas you are going to use. shot for around 9:1 compression and talk to the major cam companies (comp cam, crane, etc) as for their recommandations on a cam for your application.

that is one option as how to builf the 460 up.

rgds
Mike