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-   1978 - 1996 Big Bronco (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum44/)
-   -   460 swap (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/796312-460-swap.html)

hodernyf150 11-25-2008 02:38 PM

460 swap
 
i got a 1978 ford bronco witha 351m and i was wondering how hard it is to do a 460 motor swap. give some details please

TEXRODDER 11-25-2008 04:34 PM

Not hard, you need motor,ps pump bracket,alt bracket,a/c brackets,flexplate or flywheel,motor stands/mounts(either similar year 4x4 truck or L&L ) ,and headers or manifolds. Motor will bolt up to existing trans,use existing ps pump,alternator,distributor,have exhaust tied in to existing and your done.With all parts on hand it can be done in a day,pretty easy.

bertha66 11-26-2008 12:43 PM

I have a 460 in my 80 Bronco, in there when I got it. One thing with the 460 is that the frame on the passenger side was notched for the exhaust manifold, I understand that this was because the engine was a car engine and the manifolds were used from the car.

court1100f 11-26-2008 01:04 PM

hmm it's my understanding that the 300/302/351W have the same bellhousing and any of the 3 will bolt up to the others transmission. but the 460s gotta different bolt pattern and won't bolt up to the small block bell housing....correct me if I'm wrong though

85e150 11-26-2008 02:01 PM

351m, 400 match the 429/460 bell pattern.

Serving suggestion: Convert your 351m to a 400, do the usual hop ups like cam, manifolds, etc, and get double your current power with less road-hugging weight on the front wheels.

If you already have the 460 and all the goodies, well.... But if you are starting from scratch, check out the 335 engine forums for info on making a 351m into a 400.

Good luck with your project. Either way, you'll be tickled with the results.

court1100f 11-26-2008 02:25 PM

oh I knew that about the M and 400 I was just stating that,that doesn't apply to the W variant incase somebody wanted to do the same thing with a 351W based Truck bronco or otherwise

NumberDummy 11-26-2008 02:37 PM


Originally Posted by TEXRODDER (Post 6811261)
Not hard, you need motor, ps pump bracket, alt bracket, a/c brackets, flexplate or flywheel, motor stands/mounts (either similar year 4x4 truck or L&L )

Similar year 4x4 truck for engine mounts and brackets?

No 460's were available with 4WD till 1983, and these were all F350's.

1978 and later Ford P/S pumps use different mounting brackets and P/S pressure & return hoses than 1977 and earlier years use.

460's with a block casting number of D9TE-6015-AB, installed midyear 1979, use a different flywheel, or flexplate, harmonic balancer and balancer spacer than the blocks used previously.

You cannot mix these parts or a vibration will result which will eventually tear the center out of the flexplate or flywheel.

You must match these parts to the block casting number.

There were no 460's available with a manual transmission till 1983, either.

TEXRODDER 11-26-2008 03:57 PM


Originally Posted by NumberDummy (Post 6815225)
Similar year 4x4 truck for engine mounts and brackets?

No 460's were available with 4WD till 1983, and these were all F350's.

1978 and later Ford P/S pumps use different mounting brackets and P/S pressure & return hoses than 1977 and earlier years use.

460's with a block casting number of D9TE-6015-AB, installed midyear 1979, use a different flywheel, or flexplate, harmonic balancer and balancer spacer than the blocks used previously.

You cannot mix these parts or a vibration will result which will eventually tear the center out of the flexplate or flywheel.

You must match these parts to the block casting number.

There were no 460's available with a manual transmission till 1983, either.

I feel sorry for your wife,if your married!When I was shop foreman at a Ford dealership we had a guy like you in parts,knew every part number for 40 years,and also loved to tell everyone!

court1100f 11-26-2008 11:01 PM

I thought I was crazy for actually wanting a 351M or 400 Apparently I'm not the only one that sees the potential in this engine series After all it is base on the Cleveland engines so How bad could it possibly be??? Ben what compression ratio did you go with???

NumberDummy 11-27-2008 01:37 AM


Originally Posted by UTfball68 (Post 6816607)
PS Texrodder...just because Bill is right and you were wrong doesn't mean you should get pissy...means you should shut your mouth, read and learn a little something.

I've been a member of FTE since 11/2006, and have prolly typed at least one part number for every one of my 18,870 + posts.

As a result, I have 2108 rep points, so I have to assume I've helped quite a few ppl.

The former Ford shop foreman has been a member of FTE since 7/2006 and has a total of 18 posts.

Enough said.

TEXRODDER 11-27-2008 09:56 AM


Originally Posted by NumberDummy (Post 6817201)
I've been a member of FTE since 11/2006, and have prolly typed at least one part number for every one of my 18,870 + posts.

As a result, I have 2108 rep points, so I have to assume I've helped quite a few ppl.

The former Ford shop foreman has been a member of FTE since 7/2006 and has a total of 18 posts.

Enough said.

hodernyf150 (if you would like a parts list I can give them to you,from the 79 model I swapped a 460 into a few years ago) ,and sorry your post turned in to this but I am sick of know-it-alls on here,that arent here for anybodys benefit but their own self satisfaction, by blurting their skills(knowing part numbers),instead of being here to give and take experiences to help each other,most could probably not fab a part if their life depended on it .Its sad when someone comes on boards like this to get some praise for having worked a parts counter for 4 decades.
A few weeks ago a few of my friends on here got on the subject of knowitalls and numberdummy came up by all 5 of us,so I am not the only one to notice.
I was feeling bad after my last post,being someone spent that long looking up part numbers ,and was going to drop it but just couldnt,after he and others wouldnt let it go.
Now having said that why not be helpful and not be so overbearing with your part# knowledge.I am sure most people would appreciate that you tell them you could give them the info if they are interested,instead of interjecting them in every sentence

PS. UTfball68 why dont you look at some of his posts and you will realize what is going on then you can appologize for butting in!

TEXRODDER 11-27-2008 03:22 PM


Originally Posted by UTfball68 (Post 6818344)
No apology necessary from my end. I make a point to read just about all of Bill's posts because he has more Ford knowledge is his left arse cheek than most guys on this site have at all. I appreciate his knowledge, content and side notes. So I think you're the one that owes the apology...I mean seriously "find a truck from the same era and you'll be fine." Sure that may make things easier...but considering 460's didn't come in anything besides 2bys until '83, there's alot more to it then just "you'll be fine." So like I said, stop being so ignorant, learn something, and then apply.

You know your right,I apologize for the mount issue ,I did have to use L&L mounts on mine,everything else came from a 77 F250(similiar year),but I will not apologize for the way he points out everyone elses mistakes,and interjects all the part#s he has retained whether needed or not,I am sure there are times it comes in handy for someone but most people here are looking for been there done that skills!I personally am not impressed unless someone can actually fabricate or paint or whatever on their own ride,just spouting part numbers and what years Ford did somthing just means you have a great memory.And if you did read some of his post's you will see the condescending attitude towards some people,I personally dont go along with that type of mentality.You can worship or do whatever you want to him,I personally am not impressed.And judging by some messages I have recieved in the last 2 days ,others agree.


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