390 vs 460

[F10YRB12118]

Dear Members,

I have a question about which engine to go with on my 1972 F100 4x4 SWB. I was hoping that some of you might be able to offer me your advice and expertise in the matter of deciding what engine to go with in my new project.

Currently, I have a working 360 with a four speed in my 72 4x4. I have a 72 donor truck with a 360 hocked to a 3 speed automatic and I also have a 79 donor truck with a 460 hooked to an automatic too.

My original thought was to take the donor 360 and rebuilding it into a 390 stroker and drop in my 72 4x4. I was then thinking that "There is no replacement for displacement." Maybe I should drop the 460 form my 79 in the 72 4x4.

Which ever engine I drop into my 72 4x4 I want to do a mild performance build. Maybe 400 hp. but I want torque more than the HP.

Anyway, what does the forum have to say about my two options? Things I have to consider, budget, ease of installation, keeping the 4 speed. Proper application for a 4x4. & etc.

Your advice is appreciated.

Yours,

[Randy Beck]

If you are looking for torque, there's no question, GO 460!!!

[1971ford]

oh man youve got to go with the 460
especially since its 4x4 and you want torque and 400 hp

[green70]

i love fe engines,there just plain old school cool,but its alot cheeper to get 400hp out of a 460....just depends on what you want and what you want to spend....

[F10YRB12118]

Thank you all for your comments.

I do like the good ol' FE too and would hate to dump it, but the 460 sure is attractive. I especially like the idea of getting more out of the engine for less $ with the 460.

If I go the 460 route, do you all think I'll run into problems matching the 460 to my 4 speed tranny that was with my old 360.? I don't want to get a new tyranny.

I understand that in 79 the 460s were externally balanced, will I have a problem matching to my 4 speed?

Motor mount adapters will be about $100 a pair.

Thanks for your help.

Yours,

[averagef250]

Go with the 390.

The 390 built with the right parts to 350HP and 450 TQ or so is more than enough to break every part in your drivetrain.

If you want to solidify in your head why a 390 beats a 460 in a pre-79 4x4 go work on each of them in a truck. The FE fits. The 460 does not. Well, it does, but not well at all. Headers fit horribly unless you go fenderwells. 460 adds 200+ pounds to the front of the truck

[RedneckTexan]

Go with the 390.

The 390 built with the right parts to 350HP and 450 TQ or so is more than enough to break every part in your drivetrain.

AMEN! I think that the FE is thee (only) way to go!

[F10YRB12118]

Gentlemen,

Your advice is greatly appreciated. I have been wondering about headers too and if I could get them in between the fenders and the big 460.

I just replaced the head gasket on my 360 and getting the exhaust manifold back on was about as tight as I would want to go.

What I had not considered was the weight of the 460 vs the 390. Thank you Averagef250!

I've been doing some more research and I think I would have problems with hooking up the 460 to my 4 speed anyway.

Has anyone done a mild performance build of a 390 from a 360 and have suggestions?

Thanks you all,

Yours,

[FordTruck]

I would go with the 390!!

[sideoilerfe]

First, you need a 390. The 360/390 truck blocks and heads are identical but you'll need the crank and rods as the stroke is different. Then take it to a reputable machine shop for the machine work.

Depending on the amount of money you have to spend, a mild 390 would be something like the Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and a Holley 600 vacuum secondary carb and a Crane 343901 cam (1600-4500 RPM) or 343941 (2000-5000 RPM) cam.

A set of those Edelbrock aluminum heads would be sweet but that's another $1400. Electronic ignition would be a good idea too such as a MSD 6A box, blaster coil and a Durospark distributor from a '75-'76 FE. Easy and reliable.

[427]

Im a HUGE f.e. fan! But I would say go 460 in the 4x4. It would make gobs of tourqe to move big tires and would be a lot easier on your wallet to build. Good luck whichever you choose.

[F10YRB12118]

The more I read from your posts and looking over some of the old ones on the 4X4 forum, I am seeing the advantages of the 390.

I may explore the idea of selling the 460 to help pay for the 390.

For the build from 360 to 390, I've found a shop in Glendale, CA, Modern Motors that has done some great rebuilds. Anyone have any experience with them?

I really like the Edelbrock Performer RPM intake with a Holley on top of it idea, thanks Sideoilerfe.

I will go with pointless distro for sure. I am partial to the MSD, but will look over the Pentronix product too.

I really appreciate all the advice. Fordification.com is the best! THANK YOU Keith

[cdeal28078]

It is your truck and choice but I would go with the 460 in a second. Real easy to get all of the torque you want and it should be an easy installation with all of the swap parts available. Headers are no trouble with the fenderwell which is probably the best way to go with a 4x4 anyway.
I put a 460 in my 71 F100 and love it. Fit great and the headers fit better than when I had a 302 or 351. The spark plugs are even easier to change since it sits up higher in the engine bay.
I don't think it is all that much heavier either. I am still using the stock springs AND radiator in my truck and it still sits and drives fine.
Nothing wrong with an FE but the 460 is also a great engine and SO easy to build for power
clint

[basketcase0302]

Sean,

Engine weight is very important to airboaters, it will make or break the boat and what it can do, (same can be said for our trucks).
The same can be said in respect for the ft. lbs. of torque.

There are several different versions of engine weights, here's one:
You'll have to scroll down to the Ford engines.
http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/engineweights.html

They state about 170+ lbs. difference between the FE and the 460, (650 for the FE and 720 for the 460).

Basketcase

[convincor]

I say FE.
Here's a nice build HotRod did.
http://www.hotrod.com/webonly_january/index.html