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New to forum, Mild 460

3497 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  k_schutte
I got a 1978 bronco, Old 351m just didnt make any power. So 460 time, I dont know alot about what got done to this engine, But from what I do know..

Block got

-magnafluxed
-hot tanked
-bored .030 over

Heads are D0VE C's. These are what im not sure got done too.

-Totally rebuilt, Not sure about porting ect..

I had a stock intake on it, Now it has a edelbrock rpm performer air gap, Havent driven it yet with that intake,

Carb

-770cfm offroad holley truck avenger

Cam

xe-262h

Roller rockers.

Hyd. Lifters.

stock bottom end, Turned & polished crank.

Reconditioned rods.

New pistons but not sure what kind.. See picture..

9.5:1 compression.

Msd ignition stuff.

Oh, Yeah. 2 bolt mains :(













No idea on hp or tq.

What would you guys think? Behind a 4sp standard.





I cant say im super happy with the power, What would you suggest different or to get changed?

Exhaust is stock manifolds, 2 1/2" pipe true duals with flo master 40's.



Sorry about dark video, Any other questions just ask.
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Also, Im only 16, Machine shop picked parts, I assembled the engine. First engine I have ever swapped or been in, Other then the stock 351, Bought the truck as a project truck, Something I could try anything on without making a mistake and it being a big deal.

When I first bought the truck for $1000



Tried a bit of body work, it looks like crap, But oh well



Now it looks like this



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4
Its good to see the younger generation workin on old american iron. Your biggest restrictions are the stock exhaust manifolds and the flowmaster mufflers. There has been alot of discussion about the flowmasters being a restriction. Do a search and read up on those mufflers. Dont let the lack of skill or knowledge hold you back on any project, this is after all the information age, and its right at your fingertips. Good luck and have fun with it.:cool:
Put some headers and a real exhaust on it and you will start breakin' stuff.:D
i'd say you have answered your own question mate.... Extractors, i'd pop the heads off and get them ported or save up for some RPM heads. (RPM heads would be a better option) and if you want more power then, step the cam up to a XE274H. should **** in 450hp then.

i wouldn't expect much out of it running a stock intake, heads and manifolds. the cam won't be able to do much. don't forget from the looks of things your rolling on 35s?
i'd say you have answered your own question mate.... Extractors, i'd pop the heads off and get them ported or save up for some RPM heads. (RPM heads would be a better option) and if you want more power then, step the cam up to a XE274H. should **** in 450hp then.

i wouldn't expect much out of it running a stock intake, heads and manifolds. the cam won't be able to do much. don't forget from the looks of things your rolling on 35s?
Googled up those heads, A grand, honestly I'd buy them so fast if I didnt have completely rebuilt heads on my truck, May just get these ported for now so I dont feel like im wasting too much money.

Ill look into a XE 274h cam, Yeah when I had the truck on the road it had stock intake, Ill have a look into headers but I think they were like 700 bucks for this truck. When the truck was on the road it was on 32's

That picture its on 38.5's



EDIT: Sure does sound like these flomasters are just restrictions, Thats kinda dissapointing I didnt find this sit before I put my exhaust on. Sounds like I should put on magnaflows, borlas, or hooker aero chambers
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Headers and budget port job per rhp instructions possible recurve dist and adjust timing,that engine will start reaching its potential.With a good air compressor and die grinder porting is very doable with good instructions.I applaud your hard work and confidence.
Headers and budget port job per rhp instructions possible recurve dist and adjust timing,that engine will start reaching its potential.With a good air compressor and die grinder porting is very doable with good instructions.I applaud your hard work and confidence.
Yeah I think im forsure going to get the heads ported. (if there not already....) Im not to sure how to recurve the dist.. I have been messing with the timing a bit, Which is what I have a question about now, I got my timing set at 14* BTDC at 1000rpm. I have been reading on here that some are at 22* .. I was playing with the timing with the timing light hooked up and at 20* that was the highest idle. Not insured so I cant run it down the road but what should this thing be set at? Around?
I would start out around 34-36 total advance around 2500-3000 rpm. You can change the rate and amount of advance inside the distributor by playing with the springs and bushings. If you get pinging at low rpm under load you can slow down the advance rate or change the total amount. The whole advance thing is a compromise between max power, ping control and ease of starting. Every engine will have different requirements you have to play around to find the right combo.

Also make sure you have the early model timing gear set. The newer ones have a bunch of built in cam retard that hurts power everywhere.

dkp
I would start out around 34-36 total advance around 2500-3000 rpm. You can change the rate and amount of advance inside the distributor by playing with the springs and bushings. If you get pinging at low rpm under load you can slow down the advance rate or change the total amount. The whole advance thing is a compromise between max power, ping control and ease of starting. Every engine will have different requirements you have to play around to find the right combo.

Also make sure you have the early model timing gear set. The newer ones have a bunch of built in cam retard that hurts power everywhere.

dkp
Ok cool thanks alot, Ill check it out again, I noticed when I drive the truck, Standard 4 speed granny low first, 3rd and 4th gear have a bit of a chatter. Even second if you listen very closely, Not loud but I notice it, and I dont have to be on the trottle barely at all to get it. Could this just be the roller rockers or not adjusted correctly or do you think its timing? I get a differen't noise when I drop it into 4th and cruising at 1800 rpm or so, 80kph and I punch it, that is defentely a timing chatter I know. Which I can fix by running a higher octane fuel and retard timing( I run 87 octane) But under a load do the roller rockers make alot of noise?

EDIT: Oh I forgot to mention this does not make the quiet chatter when cold, If I jump in the truck and go it will be fine till it warms up, If I fire the truck up and let it warm up then go it does it instantly. That confused me a bit.

Sorry for all the questions but no one else seems to be able to help me, I think I am going to take the truck into a tuning shop and get them to just fine tune everything.
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mate, you're going to spend $500 porting the heads.... spend the money and go the alloys it leaves more room for improvement, the iron heads are good if you want to put in the effort but if you arn't capable doing it yourself, you will end up spending more then its worth. up to you, it does depend on $$$$ but i would seriously consider the alloys :)
9.5-1 compression is too much for 87 octane in a truck... youll need at least midgrade if not premium with that small of a camshaft. also, what temp thermostat are you running? 180 is what id recommend... itll reduce detonation (the rattle youre hearing i think is detonation)
mate, you're going to spend $500 porting the heads.... spend the money and go the alloys it leaves more room for improvement, the iron heads are good if you want to put in the effort but if you arn't capable doing it yourself, you will end up spending more then its worth. up to you, it does depend on $$$$ but i would seriously consider the alloys :)
Ok, Ill think about that

9.5-1 compression is too much for 87 octane in a truck... youll need at least midgrade if not premium with that small of a camshaft. also, what temp thermostat are you running? 180 is what id recommend... itll reduce detonation (the rattle youre hearing i think is detonation)
Ok ill run premium from now on. And ill go pick up an 180 temp thermo, Im running a 195 right now. 180 will keep the engine cooler, Which would reduce noise, Correct??

Also Thanks for all the help guys I really appreciate it, ford460 has taught me more about my 460 in the past 2 weeks then I have ever known about these engines/ exhaust systems.
78'460

I'm completing a very similar build. 87' F250 4x4 supercab. SIR I beams, forged pistons, balanced. 870 Avenger, performer rpm, D0VE-C ported 1.75 / 2.19 SS valves, Comp Cams X4270H, Hooker headers.

I just played your video for my wife and she said it sounded like a lot of money$!$

What type of milage are you getting?
78'460

I'm completing a very similar build. 87' F250 4x4 supercab. SIR I beams, forged pistons, balanced. 870 Avenger, performer rpm, D0VE-C ported 1.75 / 2.19 SS valves, Comp Cams X4270H, Hooker headers.

I just played your video for my wife and she said it sounded like a lot of money$!$

What type of milage are you getting?
Honestly for some reason when I put my spark plugs in I messed up and they all got gapped at .020

So my mileage was really bad. I thought it was just the big block ect.. Well my power was not the best either, Once I got that figured out and all gapped to .045 I dont get bad mileage at all for a big block that sounds pretty good and puts out a decent amount of power. Numbers I cant say for mileage wise. I put 50 bucks in the tank and went 300 km's, That was the only time I check mileage, highway miles too. Thats with no over drive at 3000 rpm down the highway.

Now that I got the 38's on the 4 sp with granny low first the 4th gear will act as overdrive and I think ill get much better mileage, It will be in town mileage that is killed. But I can still light up these 38's no problems with 3.55 gears in a straight line ;) And with the dead spot the engine has lol
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Those DOVE C's that are in the pic don't look like they've been ported.....don't let anyone fool ya, DOVE C's can be max ported and make some awsome power (more than enough to break things on your Bronc!).
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