79 Ford F150 4X4/460 build

Bought this 1979 Ford F150 4X4 with a C6 automatic transmission and a 351M/400 engine in it from a kin folk of mine

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/0528143811.jpg

I drove it around like this for awhile and it looked trashy, and the cab has some rust so I decided to spice it up so I bought this 78 2WD Ford F150 for $400
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/0818090923.jpg

I was thinking about swapping cabs but I looked and thought, I have to rip this and that out and it would eventually be a headache. So I decided to keep the cab and then started with this process

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/0822091333.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/0823091622.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/0823091703.jpg

I had the brakes fixed and got the motor running better but the carburetor (Edelbrock Performance Series 4 Barrel) is a problem though (even though it is rebuilt) it tends to flood alot. So I am going to need a new carburetor. People told me to stay with Edelbrock so I am probably going to but I have to figure out what kind I should get.

I drive the truck around a good bit but then I may go bog with it some (but not all the time).

So I need some opinions about my engine/carburetor/gears/etc
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So I bought this 71 Lincoln 460 (from what the vin says) but the top intake has D5VE.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/0926091821.jpg[/QUOTE]

And then I started to taking it apart to see if they did anything to the engine before.
Here is what I did from the beginning to the end for today:

Sludgy oil..needs to be cleaned out-any ideas what I should use to clean these lifters?
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091019.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091043.jpg

start taking the carb off but accidently broke a linkage on it...
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091026.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091045.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091049.jpg
guess this is for the gas..
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091048.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091055.jpg

Found these serial numbers on the intake area..they are D5VE-9425-A3E. What does this mean?
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091053.jpg

Unhooked the fuel filter to the carb as well.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091058.jpg

Took the water inlet piece off and look down in the hole (HAD TO TAKE THE DISTRIBUTOR OUT TOO!)
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091113.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091113a.jpg

Took whatever this is off because it was blocking me to get a bolt (what is it?

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091121.jpg

Pulled off the intake piece (guess this is burnt oil in the first picture)

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091142.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001091142a.jpg

Now this is where I am at.........NOW WHAT DO I DO NEXT?!?!
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Will these motor mounts work?
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001090937.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1001090937a.jpg

if your budget minded just get yourself a set of motor mounts for an early 70's pickup with a 390 in it, they will bolt onto the 460 and drop right into place on the existing 351/400 motor towers, you will probably need a rear sump pan as well.

if your budget minded just get yourself a set of motor mounts for an early 70's pickup with a 390 in it, they will bolt onto the 460 and drop right into place on the existing 351/400 motor towers, you will probably need a rear sump pan as well.

Rear sump pan?

Eh, I already bought these but I could carry them back but do you think these motor mounts will work?

Rear sump pan?

Eh, I already bought these but I could carry them back but do you think these motor mounts will work?

rear sump oil pan,

those mounts want work with the 351m perches, but its not that had to make a set, that what i did with mine, and my motor sets high so i still run a front sump pan

Get yerself a set of mounts from L&L, or get creative with a welder and a pair of poly leaf spring bushing and make a set like I did. Lose those stock rockers. They rob power and are a hassel to clean. Get a screw in stud conversion kit from summit, and slap on a set of Harland Sharp roller rockers. Throw on a dual plain intake, an 800 edelbrock carb, maybe a cam and lifters, then call er done.

Save your money and clean your rockers they are not a huge power loss. I dynoed a motor last year and ran it first with stock rockers and tuned it to the best we could get then changed out to roller rockers and gained a whopping 3 horsepower. I did this because class rules so no roller rockers and I always wandered how horspower a motor would gain with roller rockers.

looking good captain. if it was from a 71 lincoln, it would have dove heads i would think, try to get a set of dove heads from someone nearby if you can. those pedestal mount heads will work for now. the doves will help with compression.and they have screw in rocker studs. put in a bigger cam and replace the timing chain with a 1970 model or aftermarket one and set to 0 degrees. try to find a aluminum intake manifold for it. i have two edelbrock performers, but it isnt worth the shipping to get one to you.truck looks really good so far. do searches on topics that u are unsure of and buy a good reliable torque wrench. if you are not sure about some thing, just ask. take care. kyle

Save your money and clean your rockers they are not a huge power loss. I dynoed a motor last year and ran it first with stock rockers and tuned it to the best we could get then changed out to roller rockers and gained a whopping 3 horsepower. I did this because class rules so no roller rockers and I always wandered how horspower a motor would gain with roller rockers.

i wondered how much loss there was also, i took my doves off and put the d3 heads back on and i thought the truck worked better. i only did this because i have an unbalanced rotating assembly with stock rods and hyper flat top pistons, i didnt want detonation.
common assumption is the dove heads are better. but it is not always the case i guess, the pedestal mount rockers are pretty much foolproof to adjust, right.lol

I am going to take off the heads now but I need to know what torque do they need to come off with and to go back on?

I got the 4 bolts across and the both bolts on each side by the lifter off but the head wont come off! What am I doing wrong?

NVM. Found 2 other bolts under the sludge.

there is 10 head bolts.
that thing you removed to get to a bolt holds your accelerator cable.

Thanks but I've found the other two under the rockers and now I got the heads off. Got to measure though...

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h62/bmxer00002003/1005091155.jpg

what exactly are you wanting to do with this engine?
that thing is DIRTY

If you're taking it to the machine shop, let them hot tank it. or whatever the shop uses...

Put it in my 79 Ford 4x4 and bog with it some.

Just want it to have a good bit of hp and torque.

Stock rebuild
stroker
re ring and bearing
????

Well what would be the best?

there's no "best" per se.
you got a budget?

Also, you'll have to have everything torn down as well to make an assessment on what shape the parts you have are in...i/e is the crank in good shape, are the cylinders in good shape, how much overbore may they need....etc.

there's no "best" per se.
you got a budget?

Also, you'll have to have everything torn down as well to make an assessment on what shape the parts you have are in...i/e is the crank in good shape, are the cylinders in good shape, how much overbore may they need....etc.

Well, I was thinking about getting the Summit Racing Bill Me Later payment option for 90 days but then I saw that they had a card where you can pay them back in 360 days. You know about this? Is it good?

I am willing to spend $1k-$2k


I do need to check the rest of my stuff though.

I dont know about any of that pay later stuff
you're not going to get very far spending 1-2K.
you wont be stroking.
If you have to do some machining that will take $500 or so....
Intake, carb, cam....etc..
you're going to have to source out some used parts.
or re ring and bearing it. which i dont recommend but people get away with it sometimes.

Well I would like to get 400-500 hp but a good amount of torque as well.

I am going to be driving this truck a good bit to and probably mud some and tow a little.

What would you do?

If I get the Summit Racing Bill Me Later deal. I will get the 360 days (basically a year to pay it all off). I may can be able to go up and spend more. Though I got a minimum wage job but I also get a PELL grant check at the end of my college term.

Personally with your budget i would find a decent running 460, buy it, put a edel performer 460 with "RV" cam of some sort in it, (recommended by a pro) and a 750cfm carb, and use it till i could afford to build an engine that suited my desires.

I was a young guy like yourself once, Dont fall for the buy now pay later crap. You wont pay on time and get hammered on interest for the year of deferred payments.

What Diggindeeper said! And I will add, just get it moving for now and get that schooling done!

Well I got a 460. It just needs to be rebuilt. I have time to pay it. :D

1 year is more than enough if the price is right.

Personally with your budget i would find a decent running 460, buy it, put a edel performer 460 with "RV" cam of some sort in it, (recommended by a pro) and a 750cfm carb, and use it till i could afford to build an engine that suited my desires.

I was a young guy like yourself once, Dont fall for the buy now pay later crap. You wont pay on time and get hammered on interest for the year of deferred payments.

What Diggindeeper said! And I will add, just get it moving for now and get that schooling done!

I'm with these guys as well, 1-2k won't get you anywhere near your 500HP goal. So instead of going into major debt and payin off interest, just get the motor running. Make it a reliable 460 that'll get you around, with the right gearing and tires, it'll hold its own at the mud bogs, I've seen it done before. Then once you get the schooling finished, you can go after the big motor, plan it out right and use better parts then what you can afford right now. You'll be happier in the end.
I was in your exact shoes about 8 years ago, took out some sorta buy now pay later deal, guess what, I payed later, and ALOT more then if I woulda just done a regular rebuild. Probably woulda been farther along in my build now if I wouldnt have done it then.

Do whatever you want.

With your budget and a minimum wage job, and i guess youre in college??? you'll be lucky if you can afford to put gas in it. Be realistic about your financial situation.

Price out what you need first, see how much it is.
remember all the little things you need and add 25% for shop supplies and unforseen costs. Also add in your beer/whisky budget.

Now, can you afford to build it?

Do whatever you want.

With your budget and a minimum wage job, and i guess youre in college??? you'll be lucky if you can afford to put gas in it. Be realistic about your financial situation.

Price out what you need first, see how much it is.
remember all the little things you need and add 25% for shop supplies and unforseen costs. Also add in your beer/whisky budget.

Now, can you afford to build it?

Shop supplies (I can borrow some tools maybe).....


Minus the beer and whiskey. I don't drink. :D

Maybe I get better gas milege out of the 460 than my 351m floodin carbureted motor. lol.


But thanks guys.



What should I do to the motor though, to make it a good running one. What kind of cam, etc for my budget?

YOu need machinist tools to see what is re-useable.

Inside mic's
Outside mic's
dial indicator
vernier calipers

And finding someone local and knowledgeable would be the biggest help IMO.

If starting with a good running early model 460 (which you DON"T have) I think I could make 500hp for under $2k.

But since you don't have that...either keep looking for the right engine, settle for less hp, or get a bigger budget.

Machine work is expensive...I'm currently building a basic 472 and have 2k in machine work alone!

Edit: I built the 460 in my sig in college for $1500 but I started with a good running early model 460...it makes between 425-450hp.

Shop supplies (I can borrow some tools maybe).....


Minus the beer and whiskey. I don't drink. :D

Maybe I get better gas milege out of the 460 than my 351m floodin carbureted motor. lol.


But thanks guys.



What should I do to the motor though, to make it a good running one. What kind of cam, etc for my budget?

shop supplies.. brake clean, rags, paint, scrapers...etc. the small things you need, they add up $5 here and $10 there....

For YOUR engine IMHO you can't afford to do the things you should on your budget.

thats why i recommend finding a running engine.

after you have things checked out...

maybe you can get away with running a hone through it and reringing.
you're still going to be into it a couple of grand going the cheap route....

rings, bearings, gasket set, hone, crank turned, intake, carb, fuel pump, gallons of brake clean/or industrial cleaner(judging by your pics)....etc

i'm not in any way trying to be an asshole about this, i'm not trying to demean your income or whatnot. I'm just trying to give you a heads up.. dont get yourself into debt over this at this stage in your life. wait till you're finished school, and got yourself a steady job (and the economy comes back)

shop supplies.. brake clean, rags, paint, scrapers...etc. the small things you need, they add up $5 here and $10 there....

For YOUR engine IMHO you can't afford to do the things you should on your budget.

thats why i recommend finding a running engine.

after you have things checked out...

maybe you can get away with running a hone through it and reringing.
you're still going to be into it a couple of grand going the cheap route....

rings, bearings, gasket set, hone, crank turned, intake, carb, fuel pump, gallons of brake clean/or industrial cleaner(judging by your pics)....etc

i'm not in any way trying to be an asshole about this, i'm not trying to demean your income or whatnot. I'm just trying to give you a heads up.. dont get yourself into debt over this at this stage in your life. wait till you're finished school, and got yourself a steady job (and the economy comes back)

I know yer not being an asshole bud. I know what yer saying. Well this engine was running when I got it. It has a 1975 intake, 1973 heads, and 1970 block. So I don't know what year it would be consider as. I can't find another 460....if I do..someone wants 1k-2k+ for it and I don't know what they have done to it.

I would just love to get a nice 460 with more hp and torque capable than a 351M gas guzzling motor. People have told me I can get better gas milege with the 460 if I build it up correctly.

I just like to start on something on my own and a buddy of mine who says he knows how to rebuild engines says he will help me put it together though I will need to get some machine shop work like hot tank it and probably bore it out a little.

How much HP and Torque do you think my 460 has anyways?

you could put an intake, carb and cam on the M. they can produce pretty good power, maybe that would suffice while you slowly build up your 460.

D3 headed 460......depends a lot... but it would have been a ~225 hp rated engine.

Naw, I'm getting rid of the 351M.

What's the engine combinations for my 460?

Well I took the other head off finally and found on the piston that it says 0.30.

So it's bored over .30. So what does that make it? Someone told me a 490. Idk.



I also started taking off the water pump but stuck on one bolt thats between all of the pulleys. So I'm going to have to pull the crank pully too.

.030 makes it a 466ci

.030 makes it a 466ci

Sweet Jesus. If I get .60 added to the .30 then it would make it a 490 eh? I see.

Sweet Jesus. If I get .60 added to the .30 then it would make it a 490 eh? I see.

uh, I don't think you're gonna wanna do that much boring on a daily driver motor. .060 woulda be fine, I went .080 over on my 532 motor that is for racing only on a production block and I cemented the block for added strength with that much bore. A .060 bore will give your 472ci

uh, I don't think you're gonna wanna do that much boring on a daily driver motor. .060 woulda be fine, I went .080 over on my 532 motor that is for racing only on a production block and I cemented the block for added strength with that much bore. A .060 bore will give your 472ci

Someone told me while ago that .30 would be the safest thing to go with and to keep it like it. If I go over...I would be testing it.

Someone told me while ago that .30 would be the safest thing to go with and to keep it like it. If I go over...I would be testing it.

Probably a chebby guy who couldnt tell a cleveland from a 460. Most factory blocks will go .060 just fine, mine is and its been running hard for a few years now. Not all blocks are cast the same however, as core shift in the casting process leaves some blocks thinner than others in places. Some blocks have been known to go way over .060. All blocks need to be sonic tested at a machine shop before anybody can say how far they will go, its necessary imo if youre going above .060.

You should go to the engine build archive section and read the first 5 stickys up near the top. They will give you a ton of info and clarify alot of things for you. With all of the nonsense people spill out about these motors nowadays it can seem really scary to attempt building one of these engines but i assure you it is not. Just read this section and start asking questions from there.

I know with the 1973 heads that I need to do something about this. The chambers are big but I want to gain a 10 to 1 compression or whatever. What pistons should I use for this?

Also, here is some stuff that some guy told me to get to put in/on my 460. How much hp/torque do you think this will gain me. THIS IS OFF OF SUMMITRACING.

COMP Cams K34-235-4 - COMP Cams Xtreme Energy 4x4 Cam and Lifter Kits

Cam/Lifters/Valvetrain, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 262/270, Lift .514/.524, Ford, 429/460, Kit

Part Number: CCA-K34-235-4

Transaction$427.95

Edelbrock 1411 - Edelbrock Performer Carburetors

Carburetor, Performer, 750 cfm, 4-Barrel, Square Bore, Electric Choke, Single Inlet, Silver, Each

Part Number: EDL-1411

Transaction$299.95

Ford Racing M-6600-A460 - Ford Racing High Volume Oil Pumps

Oil Pump, High-Volume, Ford, 429/460, Each

Part Number: FMS-M-6600-A460

Transaction$75.95

Ford Racing M-6675-A460 - Ford Racing Engine Swap Oil Pan Kits

Oil Pan, Steel, Black, 6 qt., Ford, Mustang 1979-95, 429/460, Each

Part Number: FMS-M-6675-A460

Transaction$148.95

Mr. Gasket 7130 - Mr. Gasket Engine Rebuilder Overhaul Gasket Sets

Gaskets, Full Set, Ford, 429, 460, Set

Part Number: MRG-7130

Transaction$49.95

Weiand 8012 - Weiand Stealth Intake Manifolds

Intake Manifold, Stealth, Dual Plane, Aluminum, Natural, Square Bore, Ford, 429, 460, Each

Part Number: WND-8012

Transaction$182.95

Part Subtotal $1,185.70
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Also, think I should just leave my engine with a .30 bore or get .60?

Ok, I got the engine torn apart. Just got to pop the pistons out but one is jammed above the cylinder but I can just slap it down I hope.

Crankshaft landed on my hand and hit a tire that was under it but it's all good. :D Felt good!

Now...I have called NAPA and he asked what kind of pistons am I using....hmmmm...

I'd suggest talking with Lem, Charlie or some of the other engine builders on this site and let them spec you out a good system. I'm sure their prices are close to Summit or Jegs and they are far more knowledgeable on BBF's then the tech at Summit.
Also, don't have your block bored until you have pistons that you can take in with the block. That way the block can be bored to the exact specifications of the piston company.

I'd suggest talking with Lem, Charlie or some of the other engine builders on this site and let them spec you out a good system. I'm sure their prices are close to Summit or Jegs and they are far more knowledgeable on BBF's then the tech at Summit.
Also, don't have your block bored until you have pistons that you can take in with the block. That way the block can be bored to the exact specifications of the piston company.

What's their user names?

http://bfevansraceparts.com/default.aspx

http://bfevansraceparts.com/default.aspx

huh?:confused:

Your contact for parts if you want to go with the Evans guys.

Your contact for parts if you want to go with the Evans guys.

Well I'm going to have to go with Summit Racing due to the Bill Me Later deal.

Can anyone show me on Summit Racing about what I should get?

My budget is $1,000-$2,000... maybe.

Engine info



http://www.460ford.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114189

Can anyone show me on Summit Racing about what I should get?

My budget is $1,000-$2,000... maybe.

I'm going to try and tell you what the other guys tried to tell you. The only way you can do a cheap build and get away with it is if you have lots of knowledge. I'm sorry but I don't understand you being in college, working a part time job and then having time to do all this messing around with a truck.

Does the truck run right now? If so, please leave it alone. If the carb floods all the time get a good carb and then leave it alone! Save the 460 build for when you have some cash after school.

Since you are getting a pell grant, I can assume that you come from a low income family. So did I. Let me explain something to you. You will remain low income going into debt to fund a cheap rebuild for a toy. If you have so much time and energy on your hands take more hours at school so you can get done faster or work more so you can save more and make sure you can finish school.

What you are doing is not smart.

Make something of yourself. You have to sacrifice right now to benefit later. Save your money and focus on school. Be better. Be smarter. Be focused.

Austin

I'm going to try and tell you what the other guys tried to tell you. The only way you can do a cheap build and get away with it is if you have lots of knowledge. I'm sorry but I don't understand you being in college, working a part time job and then having time to do all this messing around with a truck.

Does the truck run right now? If so, please leave it alone. If the carb floods all the time get a good carb and then leave it alone! Save the 460 build for when you have some cash after school.

Since you are getting a pell grant, I can assume that you come from a low income family. So did I. Let me explain something to you. You will remain low income going into debt to fund a cheap rebuild for a toy. If you have so much time and energy on your hands take more hours at school so you can get done faster or work more so you can save more and make sure you can finish school.

What you are doing is not smart.

Make something of yourself. You have to sacrifice right now to benefit later. Save your money and focus on school. Be better. Be smarter. Be focused.

Austin

I can't get done faster...LOL. I have to get a 2 year degree, but I know what you mean.

I'm getting rid of the 351M...$250!

I can't get done faster...LOL. I have to get a 2 year degree, but I know what you mean.

I'm getting rid of the 351M...$250!


Well I guess I should pile on too... first off, if you can get that 351M off your property for free be happy... I had a hard time making a 400 dissapear... nobody wants them, you cant even give them away! so I wouldnt count on getting $250.00 for yours.

Not to bust on you too much, but seeing as im older than you, but not an old guy yet... im still young at heart, and started my first build (my 1970 Torino) when I was 18.

My best advice I can give you is this. DO NOT get in debt to a toy. I took that same advice and am very thankfull I did... you just have to be patient! I was patient, and no I didnt get my torino running for several years... and not exactly how I wanted it (its still not everything I wish it was but I enjoy the hell out of it every summer)... BUT... I bought a HOUSE when I was 21... and because I didnt have tons of credit card dept, and payments, etc today I enjoy a nice middle class life today! I dont pay rent! today I can afford to enjoy my toys, I can afford to save for a new engine! etc etc...

youve got a cool truck to start with... find a used dual plane 4bbl manifold for the 351, get a nice holly carb and enjoy that rig!

alot of your budget is going to get eaten by just doing the engine swap itself... so many people think that swapping engines is just a matter of unbolting one and bolting up the other... but there will be MANY things that will nickel and dime you, and 1000 dollars GOES fast every time you spend 50 dollars to make a move... motor mounts, headers, exhaust system, FRONT ENGINE DRESS, carb linkage, cooling system (new radiator?)... im sure im leaving out things.

Shane

Well I guess I should pile on too... first off, if you can get that 351M off your property for free be happy... I had a hard time making a 400 dissapear... nobody wants them, you cant even give them away! so I wouldnt count on getting $250.00 for yours.

Not to bust on you too much, but seeing as im older than you, but not an old guy yet... im still young at heart, and started my first build (my 1970 Torino) when I was 18.

My best advice I can give you is this. DO NOT get in debt to a toy. I took that same advice and am very thankfull I did... you just have to be patient! I was patient, and no I didnt get my torino running for several years... and not exactly how I wanted it (its still not everything I wish it was but I enjoy the hell out of it every summer)... BUT... I bought a HOUSE when I was 21... and because I didnt have tons of credit card dept, and payments, etc today I enjoy a nice middle class life today! I dont pay rent! today I can afford to enjoy my toys, I can afford to save for a new engine! etc etc...

youve got a cool truck to start with... find a used dual plane 4bbl manifold for the 351, get a nice holly carb and enjoy that rig!

alot of your budget is going to get eaten by just doing the engine swap itself... so many people think that swapping engines is just a matter of unbolting one and bolting up the other... but there will be MANY things that will nickel and dime you, and 1000 dollars GOES fast every time you spend 50 dollars to make a move... motor mounts, headers, exhaust system, FRONT ENGINE DRESS, carb linkage, cooling system (new radiator?)... im sure im leaving out things.

Shane


Yup what he said. I'm in the same situation as you, broke college student. i'm actually selling my toy i worked all summer to buy only to have to get rid of it b4 the semester started ( and i'm not having any luck getting rid of it either!)
But i was told many times not to spend all my money on other things but i didn't listen and now i'm in debt up to my eyeballs. so if anything take it from the guy who didn't listen and save your money. Oh an if you thing the 351m/400s ain't no good then i beg to differ, an i got the 500 horse dyno sheet to prove it lol

I know with the 1973 heads that I need to do something about this. The chambers are big but I want to gain a 10 to 1 compression or whatever. What pistons should I use for this?

Also, here is some stuff that some guy told me to get to put in/on my 460. How much hp/torque do you think this will gain me. THIS IS OFF OF SUMMITRACING.

Also, think I should just leave my engine with a .30 bore or get .60?

I'm pretty convinced that me and you are building the same motor. Every part you just named are the things I'm gonna be interested in buying when I get mine going.

Call up comp. cams they will tell you if that cam will work with what you want.

I know you don't wanna hear it but I'm gonna chime in and say what others have. I have been in college for a while now, and I have one year left till I get my degree. Two years ago I dropped my 4x4 conversion on my truck and quit working on my drag car so I could get out there and make something of my life. Sure, my buddies back home have all kinds of cool **** that I don't, but they didn't go to school either. I come from a super low income family and I get grants to pay for my college too. Don't f*&k around with your grant money to pay for this engine. Trust me, in 4 years time you will probably have enough money to pay for a better build than what you are planning now. I still am very active on this forum and do not hesitate to help others with knowledge when time permits, and I always have even more to learn from them. My advice to you is to run the motor you have now, have fun dogging the ever living crap out of it, and then when you graduate and have money build the baddest motor for it that you see fit, but do not waste your time trying to do a build that may nickel and dime you to death when you should be worrying about school or something else. You have all the time in the world to do this project, don't put yourself in debt over it.

A lot of guys are going on about the whole college/time thing. Let me throw my two cents in as well...

I'm a full time student and work full time at a good job. College is a joke. Classes are easy as pie and I learn very little from them. Perhaps this is the case for me since I've been working in the field for years. A typical day for me is around 13-15 hours of work/school. I still find time to work on my truck/car/boat/bike, though mostly on the weekends.

I recently built a 460 for my truck and swapped it in. Cost about $3000. to build a mild 460 and swap it in place of a 351w, plus cost of ZF5 and driveshafts, which I got for next to nothing (it pays to have parts around that folks need... barter), and various incidentals and shop expendables. I went as cheap as I possibly could to still have a good reliable engine that I can trust to get me to work every day. In hindsight I wish I woulda spent a couple hundred bucks more for forged pistons (peace of mind is nice) and a couple other components I would have changed to get better power that wouldn't have changed the cost of the build significantly.

Bottom line is to do a build/swap plan on spending at least $3000 to do it right, probably closer to $4000 for an older truck and depending on condition of your engine.

I'll say the same as everyone else as to money, don't go into debt to build a toy. Save up and do it right. Cut too many corners and you'll be spending more to do it again. Charge the whole shebang and worry about paying it later and you'll spend as much in interest to the banks as you spend on the project.

If you can't scrounge up the cash to do it right, I'd just work with waht you have for now. If you want to do a 460 project and have $1000-$2000 saved up, buy a running 460 for a few hundred bucks and swap it into the truck. You could probably sdwing that whole project for under a grand. Then as time and money permits build your other engine and when it's ready just swap 'em out. Patience and persistence are your friends to find good deals.

As far as spending federal grant money on toys instead of school... That pisses me off and you should be ashamed of yourself. Because I choose to work for a living, learned the skills to get a decent job, saved money and made investments, and am not a minority, I get absolutely no grants, scholarships, etc. That's the way it should be for everyone if you ask me. Folks who take money out of my wallet (you, grant receiver) and spend it on toys is even more shameful than the ones that take it out of my wallet and spend it on school. What ever happened to earning your own way in life? Anyhow, I'll leave that point at that.

No reason you can't have a fun project but think about your time and finances before jumping in too far. Cut too many corners and you may end up with a truck that won't get you anywhere and a pile of debt to show for it.

A lot of guys are going on about the whole college/time thing. Let me throw my two cents in as well...

I'm a full time student and work full time at a good job. College is a joke. Classes are easy as pie and I learn very little from them. Perhaps this is the case for me since I've been working in the field for years. A typical day for me is around 13-15 hours of work/school. I still find time to work on my truck/car/boat/bike, though mostly on the weekends.

I recently built a 460 for my truck and swapped it in. Cost about $3000. to build a mild 460 and swap it in place of a 351w, plus cost of ZF5 and driveshafts, which I got for next to nothing (it pays to have parts around that folks need... barter), and various incidentals and shop expendables. I went as cheap as I possibly could to still have a good reliable engine that I can trust to get me to work every day. In hindsight I wish I woulda spent a couple hundred bucks more for forged pistons (peace of mind is nice) and a couple other components I would have changed to get better power that wouldn't have changed the cost of the build significantly.

Bottom line is to do a build/swap plan on spending at least $3000 to do it right, probably closer to $4000 for an older truck and depending on condition of your engine.

I'll say the same as everyone else as to money, don't go into debt to build a toy. Save up and do it right. Cut too many corners and you'll be spending more to do it again. Charge the whole shebang and worry about paying it later and you'll spend as much in interest to the banks as you spend on the project.

If you can't scrounge up the cash to do it right, I'd just work with waht you have for now. If you want to do a 460 project and have $1000-$2000 saved up, buy a running 460 for a few hundred bucks and swap it into the truck. You could probably sdwing that whole project for under a grand. Then as time and money permits build your other engine and when it's ready just swap 'em out. Patience and persistence are your friends to find good deals.

As far as spending federal grant money on toys instead of school... That pisses me off and you should be ashamed of yourself. Because I choose to work for a living, learned the skills to get a decent job, saved money and made investments, and am not a minority, I get absolutely no grants, scholarships, etc. That's the way it should be for everyone if you ask me. Folks who take money out of my wallet (you, grant receiver) and spend it on toys is even more shameful than the ones that take it out of my wallet and spend it on school. What ever happened to earning your own way in life? Anyhow, I'll leave that point at that.

No reason you can't have a fun project but think about your time and finances before jumping in too far. Cut too many corners and you may end up with a truck that won't get you anywhere and a pile of debt to show for it.

I work too and pay my taxes. (I ain't no person sitting at home doing nothing and poppin pills).Plus I had a good average to obtain it so I ain't no bum either. I hate getting the Pell but at least I ain't wasting the left over cash on drugs and stuff. I am at least obtaining a partial skill with rebuilding an engine with the little bit of Pell money and my job money I get. I am learning things I haven't learned before since I have started this.

I would have worked to make my way through college bud but I work at a grocery store. Making $7.25 an hour and I do most of the work while everyone jabbers their mouth. I do my best to save up. I live with my grandmother. I try to help her too. I try to put money in our farm to keep it up. ****, I even volunteer my time to work for the STATE Forestry Commission (which I am also planning to go into because I am getting my degree in Forestry). See. I help the State out with labor (WITHOUT PAY PLUS IF I GET HURT...IT'S MY PROBLEM. NOT THEIRS) by dedicating my time to help them in this hard time plus I am obtaining skills too.

If I could afford to pay my way to college. I would. I just don't have the job to do it. I live in a small rural town. There isn't much jobs out here. So I have to deal with what I get.

Let me tell you something bud. I'M PART OF A MINORITY TOO.
When I have kids and I send them to go to college one day. I will pay their way to make up for me when I was in college.

YOU, don't need to worry about me. WE need to worry about the basterds out there who ain't working and are using our money.

PLUS at least the grant money is spent on an American citizen who is trying to make something of hisself rather than some foreign country who will never be stable or a lazy person who will be nothing but a wasted soul in the world.