460 engine swap
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New User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
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From: Knightsen Ca.
460 engine swap
I have a 77 f-250 with a worn out original 460, I have found a good deal on a 94 fuel injected 460, other than the different valve covers the engine looks very similar. Has anyone else done this swap? Will my original intake and exhaust manifolds fit? Is this a roller cam engine, and if so will that be a problem? I know I'll have to change oil pans because the donor truck is 4-wd and mine is 2 wd, but will the other accesories fit? My truck is a f-250 supercab, trailer special, short bed that I picked about 10 years ago at the estate sale of the original owner, a local very wealthy farmer who used it as his retirement truck until he passed away, and his widow stored it in the barn until she passed and I picked it up. It is in excellent shape other than the engine getting tired, and I have never seen another f-250 super cab short bed. Thanks For the help. Mike
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 182
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From: Seatac, Washington
The heads are different for the EFI motors, the intake and exhaust ports are different from the earlier ones. The block is the same. It's not a roller motor, any cam from any 460 will fit. I swapped a '90 460 into my '78 4x4 and kept the entire serpentine set up, its awesome. Unless you are planning on keeping the fuel injection, I wouldn't bother with it. My truck is fuel injected and I love it. If you have any questions about the swap, feel free to ask.
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
i would do the swap, but take the heads off your old motor and put em on the new one. that way you dont have to mess with the ford fuel infection. you get more power and better economy out of a properly tuned carb.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 460
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From: New Oxford, PA
460/5- you really think you can get more power and fuel economy from a carb over fuel injection? Not being a smartass, I'm serious. Put a 390 in my truck last year after the original one crapped out, and this one is giving me problems-- been considering throwing in something fuel injected- getting tired of messing with an older engine.
Sorry to hijack the thread.
Sorry to hijack the thread.
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
kadrocker- im not one to knock the benefits of fuel injection. im lookin at a four barrel throttle body fuel injection kit for when i rebuild my 78. (if youre interested, ill post a link.) BUT when ford started to put the fuel injection on their motors, they threw it together and ran it. they didnt take the time to get it right. (6.4L stroke anyone??) it wasnt untill the mid and late 90s before they actually started to get the tune good and make economic power.
prime example: i have a 91 F250, port injected 460, 5 speed, 4x4. my good friend from high school has an 85 F250, four barrel carb 460, 4 speed, 2wd, we both have 4.10 gears. so, he has no overdrive gear, and a carb. not only is his truck significantly faster and torqueier than mine, but he gets about 12 mpg. i get just under 9.
bottom line: carburetors still have a place in this world.
prime example: i have a 91 F250, port injected 460, 5 speed, 4x4. my good friend from high school has an 85 F250, four barrel carb 460, 4 speed, 2wd, we both have 4.10 gears. so, he has no overdrive gear, and a carb. not only is his truck significantly faster and torqueier than mine, but he gets about 12 mpg. i get just under 9.
bottom line: carburetors still have a place in this world.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Mandan, ND
Fuel injection is definitely feasible for your swap, if you can cannibalize most of the wiring, ecm, etc. from the donor vehicle. I swapped an 86 302efi into my 61 f100 and was very happy with it. Check out the ford fuel injection web site, they have all the wiring diagrams and info to help you out. One thing to consider when swapping a newer big block into an older truck: make sure the flywheel/flexplate is right one for the engine you are using. I know for sure that 76 and older used a zero balance flywheel, as they are internally balanced. I am not sure what year the 460 went to external balance, but I believe it was in the early 80s. I am sure someone on this site can come up with that exact info, I just would hate to see you put your engine in and suddenly have a severe vibration.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 83
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From: Mandan, ND
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 51
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From: Channahon, IL
Carb vs. Fuel Injection
Just like all carbs are not created equal the same can be said about fuel injection systems. If you want fuel injection then it is like anything else and you need to research and learn what works well and what does not. There are certainly benefits and gains to be had whether it be power, economy, or driveability. Talking to others and a site like this is a great resource. Ford certainly put more effort into making better fuel injection systems on some vehicles vs. others. Cost and comfort level with dealing with a carb or injection is something to be considered as well.
Alec
Alec
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