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Rob's 1990 Fox Body Build

13K views 35 replies 7 participants last post by  robertschultz1 
#1 ·
Hello everyone, been floating around checking out the threads on here for a little bit while researching for my build, finally decided to make a thread for my build.

First I'll start off with a little History; I came from the Honda world and after much persuasion from a buddy of mine, decided to ditch the Honda scene and get myself something that is actually worth my time and money, a good ol' Ford V8.

I purchased my 1990 Mustang LX 5.0 in August of 2013. I was in a debate between buying a motorcycle or getting myself a Mustang. My wife was not completely for a Motorcycle or a Mustang as she was reminded how much dumb money I spent on a Honda. Ultimately, she "allowed" me to finally get a Mustang. And from there I drew a plan: drive it now, go big later.

I drove my Mustang for a couple months and even took it up to Raleigh to attend a Auto Show, the car ran like a champ. Shortly there after the 23 years started catching up with it. I had a few problems that were easy to fix, but after they were fixed, more and more kept showing up. I decided at this point to stop throwing money into rebuilding the 302 when I already had plans to eventually go bigger, I set my mind to source out a 351W and build myself a 408 stroker. With a very limited opportunity to get ahold of a reasonably priced 351, I came across a 460BB while browsing Craigslist. The complete 460 was offered at a price most 351Ws were going for in my area, and from the pictures, this one came with goodies already attached that were worth more than the asking price. Therefore I went and checked out the motor, and decided it should take a ride home with me.

So here we are today, I am currently in the process of rebuilding the 460 and also setting aside a decent budget of $3000 total to get this installed into the fox body, from rebuilding the motor, to upgrading the suspension. This is still going to be a weekend cruiser/track and yet still be reliable enough to start it up in the morning and drive to work if I chose to.

Here are some pictures for everyone to enjoy.

Out with the old...








In with the new...



 
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#3 ·
good start

welcome Robert, you look like you have a really good starting point, looks like the motor has already been worked on? does it have over size pistons? and a bigger cam? the heads look like D3VE's and they are good street heads to get started with, let us know about the motor and keep the pictures coming.
 
#4 ·
That is 1 beauty of a coupe looks like you are well on your way to a nice set up while you got it out go ahead and put a tubular k member in it you can put the stock arms on it while you save the money for the coil overs and a arms keep up the good work and best of luck to you -mike
 
#5 · (Edited)
Motor has had work previous owner said it was for a truck project but was in a Fox at one point.

Motor is a 71 Block (D1VE) with D3 heads. When I first picked it up it was obvious it had Edelbrock Intake, Holley Fuel Pump, Rear sump Pan and Fox Body Swap mounts.

After I broken it down I found a Comp 268 can and lifters, D0OE rods, and dome pistons at .020 over at 4.381. Finding this stuff completely set in stone I got a hell of a deal on this motor. I haven't had a chance to measure anything else yet, I'm assuming the pushrods and valve springs are probably aftermarket of some sort. While it was fun finding this, with planning to do .060 over the pistons are no use. I plan on keeping the cam, but since I didn't plan on it initially I separated the lifters out of order so I at least need to get new lifters. Everything else I will pretty much be using. Might get a set of D0VE heads if at the right price and probably get a set of football rods.
 
#7 ·
Do the 1.5 inch k memeber spacers run a drop air cleaner it will fit

Also if you plan to run tall valve covers go to a 85-86 power brake booster as they are smaller that is if you plan to keep power brakes.
 
#13 · (Edited)
What do you plan to do with the combo do you want to run pump gas?
Are the pistons dish top or flat top post some numbers for the pistons but the speed pros sit further in the hole what brand are the others
 
#15 ·
The intake valve is bigger that's why the single relife is there with stock valve layout most of the time the exhaust valve is further away that's why there is no relife on that side of the piston unless your running a big cam I wouldn't worry it will also bump the comp a little. With a single relife
 
#17 ·
The speed pro pistons are cast piston and the Keith black are hyper the kb pistons will have a tone of comp with a 75-72cc head if i was going to spend my hard earnd $ for pistons I would get a set of forged even if they are speed pro zero deck the block and you will be in the comp you want with a 75cc head
 
#18 ·
I know a few people who have ran Hyper pistons in actual Dragster blocks and have no issues, even on alkie. I honestly dont feel a need to spend unnecessary money for something Forged when I will not be running it that hard.

I was more so looking to see what benefits or problems may occur if I used a 2-valve relief SP Flat Top pistons (being the cheaper ones), or the single valve relief KB Flat Top pistons. Will there be piston to valve contact due to misalignment of valve reliefs? Are the 2-valve pistons for specific heads or can I get away with running D0VE heads with them? The only other difference's I've noticed are that the Keith Blacks are 1.772 CD vs the Speed Pros which 1.752 CD, which means the speed pros sit lower as you said earlier.
 
#19 ·
Either piston will be fine you always want to check piston to valve clearance when putting a motor together I can't tell you for sure if you will have problems as all builds are different. I understand how you feel on the pistons if you go with the kb pistons Make sure to set the ring gaps as spec says that is critical on the kb's
 
#20 ·
Got a little more prep work done today. Cleaned up some of the rough casting edges, deburred the cam ports in the lifter galley, scrapped off excess paint and gasket material. Also ported a few of the oil passages to remove all 90deg into a better flowing rounded edge, and opened up the water passages from years of build up. Going to give the block a nice pressure wash pre-clean before sending it off to the machine shop.





 
#21 ·
Thought I would share my checklist with everyone:

Motor Parts

Ford 460 BBF Long Block
FRPP Rear Sump Pan w/ Pickup
FRPP 460 Swap Mounts
Edlebrock Performer 460 Aluminum Intake
750CFM Demon Street Carburetor
Engine Machining
Engine Balancing
460 Headers for Fox Body
Speed-Pro Hypereutectic Pistons Press-Fit (PN: SLP-H535CP60)
COMP Cams High Energy Hydraulic Lifters (PN: CCA-832-16)
Summit Racing Blueprinted HEI Distributor (PN: SUM-850026)
PRW Aluminum Water Pump (PN: PRW1446000)
Ford D6VE/D0OE-A “Football” Rods
ARP Cam Bolt (PN: ARP-155-1001)
ARP Balancer Bolt (PN: ARP-150-2501)
ARP Main Cap Bolts (PN: ARP-155-5202)
ARP Rod Bolts (PN: ARP-155-6003)
ARP Head Bolts (PN: ARP-255-3701)
ARP Engine Bolt/Accessories Kit (PN: ARP 555-9701)
460 Felpro Gasket Set (PN: FEL-KS2305)
King Main Bearing Set (PN: KGB-MB5650SI)
FRPP Cam Bearing Set (PN: FMS-M-6261-A460)
King Rod Bearing Set (PN: KGB-CR816SI)
Professional Products PowerForce Harmonic Damper (PN: PFS-80008)
Summit Racing Double Roller Timing Chain Set (PN: SUM-G6630-9)
Proform Brass Freeze Plug Kit (PN: PRO-66556)

TRANSMISSION/SUSPENSION PARTS
Ford C4 Transmission
B&M Shift Improver Kit (PN: BMM-50262)
UPR/Granatelli/QA1 Tubular K Member
1990 Mustang Manual Steering Rack
Ford 351M/400 Bell Housing (PN: D5OP-7976-BA)
FRPP 3.73 Ring and Pinion Kit
 
#24 · (Edited)
The parts list looks good but two things stand out to me. I'd find an alternate distributor. My experience with Summit Racing brand parts has not been good. One of my last issues with their parts was an ignition box that was dead on arrival. I didn't try to use it for a month or two after I got it so by the time I discovered the problem I was screwed. Maybe consider one of "The Madd Porters" recurved distributors and a good old MSD 6AL ignition box. Or just a different brand HEI.

I also don't care for the Professional Products harmonic damper. They are fine on Grandpa's car for going to the grocery store and back but if you plan on spinning the motor and using it like I know you want to I'd step up to a better part there. You really do get what you pay for with those.

Good luck with the build. That is a very nice looking Foxbody. I have a Foxbody build thread in here somewhere. I really need to get it updated.
 
#23 · (Edited)
Doing a bit of calculations; These are the specs I'm comparing to get a decent output and keep it on pump gas:

Bore: 4.420in
Stroke: 3.850in
Cyl Head: 91.30cc (D3VE-A2A)
Piston Head: .065in (Oblong Dish)
Deck Clearance: .020in
Gasket: .038in

Compression: 10.05:1
Cubic Inches: 472.59
Displacement: 7747.38


Bore: 4.420in
Stroke: 3.850in
Cyl Head: 91.30cc (D3VE-A2A)
Piston Head: .240in (Oblong Dish)
Deck Clearance: .020in
Gasket: .038in

Compression: 9.8:1
Cubic Inches: 472.59
Displacement: 7747.38


So with all that and the dropping the cylinder head volume to D0VE 75.8cc it'd make it over 11:1 so looking like I'll be running the D3VE heads and just get them a nice PnP.
 
#26 ·
#29 · (Edited)
Dropped the Block off eariler this week at the Machine Shop and forgot the main caps. Handed those off yesterday and he said he should have the block done this weekend. Also according to the tracking info, should have my new Balancer when I get home today. Ended up scoring a deal for a brand new one from Randall on here.
 
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