87 460

Hi folks, newbie here. I've got a project in mind that I want to tackle in the next few months. My grandpa has a 87 f350 with a carbed 460 and a 5 speed. I plan on rebuilding the engine. It has over 300k on the clock. I plan on following a similar build to what they did on horsepower a few years ago...

http://www.powerblocktv.com/episodes/HP2009-04/budget-460-big-block

I was wondering if this was a decent build to follow, I might not use the exact parts, but I plan on using a lot of the same ones. I would like it to be on a budget, and I expect to learn a lot because it would be my first engine build. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I did order a book about rebuilding ford engines. So I will read up on some stuff.

 

I'd do a few things a little different......

1) Better Valve Job and some Bowl Blending.
2) Recurve the distributor.
3) use a Eddy Performer rather than the Weiand, the Weiand is a little big for the mild build.
4) If your replacing the pistons, get some flat tops and get the compression up to around 9-9.5:1, the stock compression is less than 8:1 on most later 460's

Other than that is a decent low buck beater build.

Hi guys, a lot has changed since my original post.

My grandfather has passed and now I have the old F-350 at home and I am working on the restore. It runs, but poorly. It sat for about 10 years, but I was able to get it running again. It leaks oil like a sieve so it needs some attention.

So, since I'm going to rebuild it, figured I would get a little more performance out of it. This is a smog era engine. Came with two air pumps! (They're long gone now). I want this rig to be more focused on towing and low end torque vs all out horsepower. I would like to be able to run 87 octane if possible. (not opposed to running premium if it makes more since, miles will be limited on this rig)

Anyhow, from my research the 460 after the mid 70's was basically the same with some minor changes until the EFI version came out in 88.

Plan of attack is to have the engine block checked, probably have it bored to 0.030" over and have the crank checked and corrected as need be. I've been told you can install EFI pistons and get a small bump in compression because they have a smaller dish in the piston. I'm not opposed to flat to pistons if it makes sense.

From there a 3 angle valve job on my stock heads. I've looked into getting ported or aluminum heads, and I'm just not sure if the cost is worth it or if I even need that level of heads. I would like to keep it with mostly stock replacement parts.

Then I would like to install a cam and new spring setup, anyone have any suggestions? I can source a custom grind if need be. Was thinking something like this --> Xtreme 4x4 210/218 Hydraulic Flat Cam for Ford 429,460 (compcams.com) in addition to a straight up timing set.

For intake, The Edlebrock Performer non EGR will fit my needs well and I'll probably just keep the Holley 4 Barrel on it (I have a 4160 that replaced the OEM 4180c a decade or so ago).

Then comes to exhaust, my original line of thinking was to just keep the stock manifolds, but I have one that looks like it is leaking and could be cracked. If I'm going to pull the engine, might as well install some sort of header. I've read the biggest draw back on the 460 from this era is the exhaust restrictions. I'm debating on long tube vs short in this application. I can do the install and most likely the fab of the exhaust myself since I have a welder, but not sure which is best on this. I was looking into L&L headers among other brands. Any suggestions for this? I'm not going to run a true dual exhaust. I currently have a y pipe that is dual 2.5" into 3" and the rest of the system in 3". My truck did not come from the factory with a catalytic converter and does not require one.

Ignition will be a recurved duraspark distributor.

I think that covers most everything, I'm open to any suggestions.