To me, a motor build by someone other than the car owner is inherently uncool, Kasse, Kuntz, Rabotnick or otherwise.
An FE would be easier, but I would do a LOT of cutting and welding never to have to deal with that stupid reservoir can thing that was continuously breaking every single time I raced the cussed thing. God I hated that crap. 460, 460, 460.
Mine doesn't have a tank on it so I'm good. Have thought about taking a junk one and modifying it to work as modern overflow tank does. But I have to have one in my hands first.
FE all the way. One of the prettiest engines ever made, in my opinion. They just look right. If you are patient and resourcefully, you can build one pretty cheaply so long as you aren't hell bent on taking it much over 6000 rpm regularly. The 385 series engines have their place, and have great power potential, but they just look too modern for me. They were never really supported in the hot rod world until the restoration fad drove prices on factory FE speed parts up in the 80's and aftermarket part development started. Also they are much bigger and heavier than an FE, especially if the FE has an aluminum intake.
I put a 460 in my '46 truck. I plan to tow my race car trailer with it. If I want more I have another 385 I will build into a 523 using forged 240 Ford six connecting rods.
When you can have Valve covers like this Then I'd say FE. Hard to find VC's for a 460 that look this good. Picture from the FEForum Also the surge tank is only necessary if the radiator is lower than the intake. It's there so the air/pressure bubble is not in the intake manifold. The same reason C2 (63-67)Corvette's had them.
No offense Falcongeorge, but you have to buy the Kasse heads, to build the engine. You know the guy that kicks everyone's ass at the Engine Masters challenge. At no time did I say to buy his engine and install it. I agree an owner built engine is nice, It's just like people use to rag Reggie Jackson years ago when he played ball that he didin't build his own muscle cars, did that make him not an enthusiest? The guy was too busy smacking home runs in the Bronx. I've built enough engines that I don't have to explain myself to anyone. CAUTION THIS CONTAINS SMACKTIRE! I admit I have used a 390 or two to hold my boat out in the Barneget Bay, from moving while I fish.
i dont know how well mercury valve covers would look in a ford car but those are amazing! also, if you have a non original radiator, can the surge tank still be used?
390 boat anchors?? I'll let it slide this time..LMAO I too build my own motors (FEs)and always have. My skill level and equipment rank me as a amateur.Call me uncool...but I would not be comfortable bolting together $50,000.00 worth of custom parts to make a Big Inch Cammer. I would leave a project like that to the professionals.
Yes the tank had to be there for the air bubble. The tank can be on almost any car but the air will usually be at the highest point (radiator cap) So it you use a tank & the Rad cap is the highest point you'd fill the radiator & the surge tank cap would be non functional & just for looks. Just put a higher pressure cap on the surge tank. Be aware though that the thermostat is between the block & surge tank. The tank will then just be between the thermostat & the radiator and would be just a resevoir in the hose. Although unnecessary. Sorry for the lenghty explanation.... Also the Powered by Ford covers look really nice painted up as well Movin/on
Not at all it all depends if the radiator cap- ie.. if the fill point is higher than the intake manifold and-or the surge tank. Just so any air in the system ends up where you put in the coolant. Either the Radiator or the surge tank. Just leave the other cap closed. Just consider it 2 bottles connected, any air will go to the higher opening. Ford used the surge tank for a fill point so they could have a shorter radiator & therefore less frontal area on 55-57 T-Birds with a Y-block,58-60 T-birds With FE's & many other cars. If you notice Ford Pickup's did not have a surge tank because the filler could be higher than the intake manifold and a taller radiator. Same with Vettes with the slanted radiator which is lower than the engine.
I have 3 fe powered rides, 2 f100's and a well built 390 in a galaxie. My 331 small block ford in my Fairlane made 462.6 on the dyno. I do not think any of my fe's come close. I cant get anything I own to Hook up traction wise. If I was trying to go for milage and performance on a budget I would run a 6.0 liter chevrolet LS based engine. Remember I just said I regularly drive THREE Fe powered rides. Fe's look clean in 60's and older rides, they are not any more $$$ than any other over head valve Ford, Late fmx/cruiseomatic or c6's are easy to come by, plenty of good header options for Hamb era cars/trucks. MPG, well we are not building ass sucking Electric Hybrids, so none of them will be over mid teens. None of mine have, but I have never had a car/truck that got over 15mpg, even new of the Lot.
I would never even consider putting a chevy motor of anykind in any ford no matter how much power or mpg it had. A chevy is cool in a chevy.
I agree. I am partial to FE's Might be why I have 3 of them I am also the Fool trying to Make huge power with a Desoto flat 6 in a Desoto. To directly answer the question, FE all the way.
Jeez, and there I figured you were just some guy who was dropping names he'd read in Car Craft. The last time Kasse won the engine masters challenge it was with a cleveland, not a 385.
so i just get a tighter cap for the radiator? The highest point "where you want to fill it" should have a cap of 2-4 # less so it's the cap that pops, then you'd fill it at the highest point which is the lower pressure cap. If you have the surge tank higher, then the Rad will get the higher pressure cap.
You're right Falcongeorge he did win it with a Cleveland, I believe he's one four times if I'm correct 2003 was with the 385 scj head. I like building them too, probably as much as you! Here's a picture of my 472 and my brothers Kasse head 521, Fairlane.
Why not take the 390 block and put a 445 stroker kit in it. You'll get 500+ HP and over 550 ft. lbs. of torque. You can use the stock 390 block. Or get a 390 truck block with the reinforcing ribs in it. Strong as a Cobra Jet block. I bought my block and heads for $50. They were bare, hot talked, and the block had just been bored .030. My vote is for the FE all the way.
The fairlane looks good, a buddy has one, we are building a 460 with iron CJ heads, dressing it up to look like a circa early '70s SS/CA car, black steel rims and 10.5x28 M/T dots on the back, skinny Cragars on the front, glass 427 hood white with gold lace and period contingency decals. but he's out of $$, so things are kind of on hold.
I really like the 460 I put in my 66 F250,it has gobbs more torque and power then the original 352 and gets better gas mileage if I keep my foot out of it. It was rebuilt and must of had a torque cam installed and straight up cam timing as it will run circles around the original untouched 460 I had.
I've got a 390 GTA, and with an Edelbrock carb and a reasonably light foot I got 20+ miles per gallon. Besides, it would still surprise a lot of late Mustangs etc. My vote is for the FE.
I think this really depends on your end result desires. If money is a concern, 460. If money is no concern, then you gotta decide if you want the FE's vintage look or if you want the 460's easier to find often cheaper parts. The 460 can't be made to look like it belongs in the era, because it didn't exist in the era. Plus it's hard to beat the look of a dressed up FE. If build right, reliability is not a concern for either engine. Both can make gobs of power with little effort. I think the 460 wins when it comes to price and parts availability. But FE stuff is enjoying a well deserved resurgence. Still more expensive though.
Well it made the trip just fine. But as I was leaving it smoked a little while. I thought it was from a little tranny fluid but am thinking it may be a bad head gasket. This sucks
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