I need some feedback 0n the pros and cons of the 460 vs. the FE.
I am putting a 66 body on a 72 frame and will be running a c6.
What are the cost and performance differences to get 350-400 ponies at the rear axle?
Any help is greatly appreciated..

 

FE: As it was OEM in the '66 and '72, an easier bolt in, and accessories probably work easier too. Performance parts available.

Downside, smaller engine, crank change needed if all you find is a 360.

460: It's been done, so you are not in uncharted territory for mounts etc. The 350-400 hp comes easier from 460 CI than from 390 or 410. (you can go to 445 or so with a 390 bore block with a $troker crank for the FE)
Upgrade to genuine mountain motor for a few--ok, a lot more $.

Heavier, bigger, little things like exhaust, cooling, steering column (?) might pop up. Research or more posts will advise.

Performance parts available. Both engines will require a teardown rebuild and higher compression pistons and better cams to meet the 350-400 hp goal.

You will hear more, stand by.

 

The 460 uses a different C6 than an FE engine.

 

I switched from a 352/C-6 to a 460/C-6 when my FE threw rods. If I had to do it all over again, I would have stuck with the FE just to make it simpler - BUT I don't regret having the oomph when I want it!

As ND has pointed out, you will need a 385 series C-6 - the bellhousing is not the same as the FE, and the C-6 uses a solid cast transmission housing, so you cannot just swap bellhousings on the transmissions.

Your options for upgrading a 460 with bolt-on factory parts are vastly greater than for an FE. I'll list what mine has now, and it is all Ford, nothing after market except as indicated (like the Edelbrock intake and carb, but I could have used stock Ford if I wanted.)

The main key to doing this right is the 3-piece engine perches Ford used for mounting the 460 into F-150 - 250 trucks from '73 - '79. They position everything correctly into any '65 and later frame.

The second key is to use a set of brackets and pulleys from a single truck engine - not a car engine. I used them originally from a '78, and then upgraded to factory serpentine brackets belts and pulleys from an '88 460.

The third key will be to use the internal shift linkage from a '73 - '79 truck C-6. This positions the shifter under the hood just right - but you can get away with a car transmission if the rear transmission mount is corrct for the truck.

Good luck however you want to go!

‘86 460 bored 60 over with stock '86 heads - no porting
'77 F-250 460 engine perches and mounts
'69 straight up cam gears, Cloyes double roller with RV type cam
Edelbrock Performer (not RPM) intake and 1470 750 CFM carb on a 1" phenolic spacer
'76 Duraspark II ignition
Stock aftermarket manifolds with a 2 1/2 inch dual exhaust (plain mufflers); copper gaskets
'93 serpentine belt brackets and pulleys
'78 power steering pump, hoses with ’93 PS pulley
'76 power steering box
’76 power steering pitman arm
’92 power steering cooler, mounted in the frame
'70 steering column
'66 radiator (re-cored)
'66 alternator with '93 serpentine pulley and fan
'86 water pump
'86 fan clutch with '77 7-blade fan
'83 C-6 from an '83 F-350 fifth wheeler, with '77 C-6 linkage (internal shift rod and kickdown)
2.75 rear end
'83 stock rear sump oil pan, with stock oil pump, pickup tube and dipstick (includes main bearing bolt with stud to hold pickup in place)
Includes '93 A/C compressor, but A/C is not installed. (Needed for the serpentine belts.)
’76 F-150 3-inch rear brakes

The only modifications I had to make were:
Fabricate an accelerator cable bracket by combining an FE one with a 385 one.
Shorten the front driveshaft to adapt to the C-6 (with a conversion joint)
Change the C-6 internal shift linkage from a ’68 – ’79

 

Although there seems to be alot of new after market parts for the FE, it will still be cheaper to build a 460. Both can easily produce the power numbers your loooking for. Good luck......

 

Thanks for the info guys..
BP- Can the 390 perform close to the 460 with a little work?
In the long run, which motor would be a better investment? I'm not looking for a rocket, but it will be alot of fun to smoke a few of these punk tuners..!!

I understand the parts swap to a 460. I have the body off of the frame I will be using, so my choices are endless at this point.
Just need to know which way to go..

 

GD: I don't know enough about FEs to answer your question accurately. My knowledge is strongest in details about the bolt-on modifications or about backwards swap compatibility from the '70s.

As for "better investment" I still recommend the 460. You will have a much easier experience and fatter wallet after modifying to get more power.

One exception: If you want an easy installation experience to get the truck back up and running, then get a rebuilt 390 for your existing setup. The difficulties will come later on when you try to find A/C and P/S setups, serpentine setups, and the like.

I would recommend you jump onto the FE forum here at FTE - they will be glad to help, and can give you all the details you need.

I recommend a 385 over an FE mostly because Ford dropped the FE in '76, but kept the 460 in production until '96. This means that stock and after market parts are easier to find, more varied and more plentiful.

 

Your kidding yourself if you think of this as an investment...neither option is going to provide a return on investment. To minimize your losses, go with the FE.

 

460 all the way. Why? Because you will find that 350-400 at the wheels just won't be enough in a short time and you'll want more. I know because your considering it at all. That means stock power just won't do and more is better. The 460 has a better power for dollar ratio than the FE.

 

i wish i could help you on this question... but the trueth of the matter is..... im asking my self the same question.... do i want a 460 or a 390.... and the question i ask myself to try and help me answer this question is... do i want MPGs or HP... and as i type this question... ive just sort of decided on my choice.... im gonna go with a 460... just because of the fact that... when i bought this truck, i didnt think about the gas mileage... and i dont drive it all that often as it is... the 460, will have plenty of torqu... and plenty of HP... and i will have plenty of fun with it... so now i just need a decent 460 and nice c6 to bolt to it...

 

What are you going to achieve with this truck?
I would keep the 390, Thats what I have now in my 66.
I'm putting her body on a 75 frame with a 390 too.
The 390 will get you where you want to go when you need torque
and plenty of power. You can pull stumps, and boggers out of the mud.
Or just have that cool sound of an FE with headers cruising down the street.
it only cost me 1200 to do my FE, while my friend put 1800 into his 460 and we are both coming out with the same numbers.