1966 390fe vs. 460

[bodybag]

Background: I've owned the car for a few months and the 390 has a vibration above about 1500 as well as a noise I thought was an exhaust leak but I'm starting to think it's piston slap.

I've got an opportunity to buy a (supposedly) low mile 460 along with the trans and accessories. I'll have to figure the motor mounts and exhaust. I'm a decent fabricator so I'm not really sprouted about that. Other than those things, what issues would I have to watch out for?

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[lcboyer]

I owned a F-250 with a 460. It really liked gasoline

 

[mark costello]

Put another 390 in it. save yourself alot of work. The 390s are out there, shouldnt be to hard to find one.

 

[74 Harley]

While I have seen a 460 in a bullet bird, it's a big job. You need a complete 460 with all accessories installed, and a transmission. A C6 is longer and larger than the cruise o matic. Drive line modification will also be required. Also keep in mind the 390 in your car is set at 0 degrees. The intake manifold is cut flat. No 460, or any other Ford has an engine installed at 0, they're all 2.5 degrees with an angled manifold. It sounds easy until start.

 

[oldad]

I agree with others here. My 460 was a gas hog and I had to rebuild it twice. It is not as solid an engine as the 390 plus all of the fitting work. I would either rebuild it or find another 390.

 

[bigtruck]

Background: I've owned the car for a few months and the 390 has a vibration above about 1500 as well as a noise I thought was an exhaust leak but I'm starting to think it's piston slap.

I've got an opportunity to buy a (supposedly) low mile 460 along with the trans and accessories. I'll have to figure the motor mounts and exhaust. I'm a decent fabricator so I'm not really sprouted about that. Other than those things, what issues would I have to watch out for?

 

[bigtruck]

I have a 1964 thunderbird 390 FE 335 hp 4 barrell complete rebuild with transmission also rebuilt never used 732 938 0510 dave