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79 F150 stepside build

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Old 02-23-2010, 12:15 PM
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79 F150 stepside build

Howdy!
I've been lurking here for a long time and don't post much.
I've picked up a lot of great info from you guys along the way.
I am starting a 1979 F150 standard cab step side build.
It has the factory 351M and I have a 460 that I am going to put in.
Can anyone tell me what has to be changed to accommodate the 460?
Just to get things going I will post pics.
Thanks!!!

edit; I'm changing the name of this thread and will try and document this build here.

Last years project






New project
Off to the blaster


Back from the blaster


Tow rig



Pile O' Ford




Bucket O' Ford


Antennae will be in the windshield.
No need for this hole anymore



Doors will have Mustang mirrors
 

Last edited by Larry85355; 02-23-2010 at 04:01 PM. Reason: add pics
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Old 02-23-2010, 12:19 PM
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Have to change motor mount towers over to the 460 ones, and possibly a bigger radiator.
 
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Old 02-23-2010, 12:24 PM
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Thanks for the quick response.
Sounds simple enough.
 
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Old 02-23-2010, 12:27 PM
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If the 460 is out of a car you will need the pickup oil pan or it is a pain to change the oil.
 
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Old 02-23-2010, 01:01 PM
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Larry, is your truck auto or standard? Is it 2wd or 4wd?
Your answers will determine what all need to be done. If your truck is 4wd you will need more than mounts, radiator and oil pan. If your truck is standard you will also need a few things.
After looking at your profile Im assuming this is for "Shelbys Truck".
It looks like an auto 4x4. Your c6 trans will work fine as will the starter and distributor from the 351. You will need the correct flexplate for your 460 and motor mounts. The L&L mounts are the most popular. You are also going to have to address your accesseries brackets (alt, p/s and it looks like you have a/c for that truck). L&L also sells everything for that. Its not the cheapest route but in my opinion its the best. You will need a bigger radiator and a rear sump pan. Lastly you will need to decide what you want for exhaust. You can buy headers that fit or you can use stock 2wd truck manifolds. The car manifolds will not work without hacking up the frame to make them fit. Dont do that. It looks bad and weakens the frame there. Thats all I can think of that you will need. Ive done this swap not long ago and I am happy with the results.
 
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Old 02-23-2010, 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Ronzi
Larry, is your truck auto or standard? Is it 2wd or 4wd?
Your answers will determine what all need to be done. If your truck is 4wd you will need more than mounts, radiator and oil pan. If your truck is standard you will also need a few things.
After looking at your profile Im assuming this is for "Shelbys Truck".
It looks like an auto 4x4. Your c6 trans will work fine as will the starter and distributor from the 351. You will need the correct flexplate for your 460 and motor mounts. The L&L mounts are the most popular. You are also going to have to address your accesseries brackets (alt, p/s and it looks like you have a/c for that truck). L&L also sells everything for that. Its not the cheapest route but in my opinion its the best. You will need a bigger radiator and a rear sump pan. Lastly you will need to decide what you want for exhaust. You can buy headers that fit or you can use stock 2wd truck manifolds. The car manifolds will not work without hacking up the frame to make them fit. Dont do that. It looks bad and weakens the frame there. Thats all I can think of that you will need. Ive done this swap not long ago and I am happy with the results.
Lots of good info there!!!
Thanks!

The truck is a 1979 F150 4X4, Auto trans, A/C.
The truck will have headers instead of manifolds.
I will have to look at the motor and see what pan it has on it.

This truck is not mine, it is my buddys truck and we are building it together.
I will be posting progress as we go so you guys can see how its coming.

This was last years project


He didn't take much time to take pics during that build so we're doing it on this one.

Thanks again for the help!
 

Last edited by Larry85355; 02-24-2010 at 09:21 AM. Reason: pics
  #7  
Old 02-24-2010, 07:53 AM
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The crew cab turned out great. Lots of luck with the F150 and keep us posted on the progress.
 
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Old 02-24-2010, 09:07 AM
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I looked on L&L's site and they show a kit to do this swap.
They show motor mounts and not different towers.
So I don't have to do anything with the mount towers/brackets?

The motor has a rear sump pan already (Motorsports pan) and all the accessory brackets.
It also has a BIG "desert cooler" radiator.

L&L also show headers for this swap.
Does anyone have any experience with these or have better suggestions?

Started on body work yesterday. Should be ready for primer in a few days if it would warm up and stop raining!







 
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Old 02-24-2010, 12:02 PM
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Some odds and ends

repack bearings



New rear brakes and wheel cylinders
I didn't get any pics while the drums were off
edit: I guess I got 1





Had to take the dash off and remove A/C and heater to get sand out.




Got the dash back together after taking everything out to get rid of sand.
(That stuff gets everywhere!)
I couldn't find any A/C duct (hose) in town so I used a heater vent line from Home Depot. Seems to work nicely.




Bolt broke off in the core support mount, had to sawzall it off.
I assume we will have to go to LMC for that?

 
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Old 02-24-2010, 12:33 PM
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Nice project .
 
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Old 02-24-2010, 01:16 PM
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You just need to get the motor mounts. Your stock towers are fine. What did the 460 come out of ? The reason I ask is because more than likely the accessory brackets you have are not going to work. They will make the accessories sit too low.
The L&L headers are about the best you can buy for these. You can get the L&L parts cheaper from jeffs bronco graveyard.
Progress is looking good. Keep it up and thats going to be 1 cool truck.
 
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Old 02-24-2010, 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Ronzi
You just need to get the motor mounts. Your stock towers are fine. What did the 460 come out of ? The reason I ask is because more than likely the accessory brackets you have are not going to work. They will make the accessories sit too low.
The L&L headers are about the best you can buy for these. You can get the L&L parts cheaper from jeffs bronco graveyard.
Progress is looking good. Keep it up and thats going to be 1 cool truck.
The motor came out of an RV (motorhome).
We have accessory mounts from other trucks also if we need them.
We will have to go thru them and see what we have and don't have.
I will check out Jeffs and get with him on the mounts and headers.
(Thanks!)
I will try and post pics of the motor later on tonight, it;s a pretty sexy unit.
 
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Old 02-24-2010, 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by ken selvy
Nice project .
Thanks!
Can't wait to get some paint on this thing.
It will be silver with dark blue "Shelby" stipes down the middle of the hood/cab and the stripes on the sides down at the bottom.
It will also have Mustang door mirrors.
The dash will be stainless with Autometer gauges.
Still shopping for seats right now but will be some sort of "racing seats" like Beards or the like.
 
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Old 02-24-2010, 01:54 PM
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Im not sure about the rv stuff. I do know the brackets used in a 2wd truck wont work without some sort of mods. You'll figure it out. This is a pic of mine right before I dropped it in....


 
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Old 02-24-2010, 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Ronzi
Im not sure about the rv stuff. I do know the brackets used in a 2wd truck wont work without some sort of mods. You'll figure it out. This is a pic of mine right before I dropped it in....


That's what I'm talkin about!!!
 


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