1985 F350 460 vs 1989 E350 460 engine

[PetesPonies]

Taking the complete set and dropping to avoid unnecessary hassle.

Different years, different setup based on fuel injection, verses carburetor, means swapping the entire engine as a unit, may be a problem.

[85lebaront2]

First, didn't I tell you that you would get good answers here? 😉

Second, driveline components are rated in the amount of torque they can handle, not HP. As said, the ZF5-47 is rated at 470 ft-lbs. Tim Meyer got my 400 to 498 ft-lbs so the 460 can be up in that range pretty easily. I don't know the torque rating of the 10.25" differential that your Blue truck probably has, but it should be something like that as well.

But, you probably don't have enough traction to keep the tires from spinning long before you get to that limit. Perhaps if you had the bed heavily loaded. But even attaching a trailer won't do it as my 2015 F150 will easily spin the tires from a stop with our boat attached.

So, my opinion is that you'll be fine. Ford put the ZF5-42, with a 420 ft-lb rating behind both the 460 and the diesel, and I think even the turbo diesel.

Considering that Darth can light all 4 rear tires with a very low compression (right now) 460 and 3:55 gears, I would say you shouldn't have too much problem with power. As for header clearance, ask Gary about long tube headers on a 4WD 460.

[Gary Lewis]

Considering that Darth can light all 4 rear tires with a very low compression (right now) 460 and 3:55 gears, I would say you shouldn't have too much problem with power. As for header clearance, ask Gary about long tube headers on a 4WD 460.

Here's what Bill is expecting me to say: DO NOT INSTALL HEADERS!!

Big Blue has the Cadillac of headers, L&L's, with a 1/2" flange and really thick tubing. And a $600 price tag. And yet they sit against the frame. 😡

I'm going to raise the driver's side 1/4" to fix that problem, but the fact is that essentially the best and most expensive header out there does not fit 1985 trucks with a 460.

[85lebaront2]

Different years, different setup based on fuel injection, verses carburetor, means swapping the entire engine as a unit, may be a problem.

Gee are you telling me that I can't put EFI accessory brackets on a carbureted 460? I'm glad you told me, because I guess maybe I'm like a bumblebee, NASA proved that there is no way a bumblebee can fly, the wings are too small for the body weight, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so just bumbles along oblivious to that fact.

When I started the process of converting my 1986 F350 from carbureted with a C6 transmission to MAF/SEFI and an E4OD transmission, I decided to do the A/C system and other accessories first so things would be fitted in place. I ran the truck for a couple of months with the FS-10 compressor, the high mount alternator and non-adjustable power steering pump mount. I had to enlarge the bottom inside hole in the A/C and power steering bracket casting so I could use a 1/2" bolt there. I also found a slight interference with the lower air pump and alternator bracket and the timing pointer. Since my truck had the hot fuel handling package there was no mechanical pump, just a block off plate on the timing cover, I went ahead and just put the EFI timing cover on at that time. I used a Y in the line from the EFI air pump to connect where my two original pumps had been. Eventually, I installed the whole top of the EFI engine on my short block, unfortunately it only has about 8:1 compression due to having the deep dished pistons and large combustion chambers (that is to be remedied shortly I hope).

[khaitan]

First, didn't I tell you that you would get good answers here? 😉

Second, driveline components are rated in the amount of torque they can handle, not HP. As said, the ZF5-47 is rated at 470 ft-lbs. Tim Meyer got my 400 to 498 ft-lbs so the 460 can be up in that range pretty easily. I don't know the torque rating of the 10.25" differential that your Blue truck probably has, but it should be something like that as well.

But, you probably don't have enough traction to keep the tires from spinning long before you get to that limit. Perhaps if you had the bed heavily loaded. But even attaching a trailer won't do it as my 2015 F150 will easily spin the tires from a stop with our boat attached.

So, my opinion is that you'll be fine. Ford put the ZF5-42, with a 420 ft-lb rating behind both the 460 and the diesel, and I think even the turbo diesel.

Ha ha ha I had no doubt that about it :P

Sounds good. I will go ahead and do the swap and get the blue truck running. Thank you again for the help.

[khaitan]

Here's what Bill is expecting me to say: DO NOT INSTALL HEADERS!!

Big Blue has the Cadillac of headers, L&L's, with a 1/2" flange and really thick tubing. And a $600 price tag. And yet they sit against the frame. 😡

I'm going to raise the driver's side 1/4" to fix that problem, but the fact is that essentially the best and most expensive header out there does not fit 1985 trucks with a 460.

ha ha ha fair enough. That really sucks though, wish someone figured out a way to build a header for these trucks.

[khaitan]

Considering that Darth can light all 4 rear tires with a very low compression (right now) 460 and 3:55 gears, I would say you shouldn't have too much problem with power. As for header clearance, ask Gary about long tube headers on a 4WD 460.

ok thank you so much.

[Gary Lewis]

Gee are you telling me that I can't put EFI accessory brackets on a carbureted 460? I'm glad you told me, because I guess maybe I'm like a bumblebee, NASA proved that there is no way a bumblebee can fly, the wings are too small for the body weight, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so just bumbles along oblivious to that fact.

When I started the process of converting my 1986 F350 from carbureted with a C6 transmission to MAF/SEFI and an E4OD transmission, I decided to do the A/C system and other accessories first so things would be fitted in place. I ran the truck for a couple of months with the FS-10 compressor, the high mount alternator and non-adjustable power steering pump mount. I had to enlarge the bottom inside hole in the A/C and power steering bracket casting so I could use a 1/2" bolt there. I also found a slight interference with the lower air pump and alternator bracket and the timing pointer. Since my truck had the hot fuel handling package there was no mechanical pump, just a block off plate on the timing cover, I went ahead and just put the EFI timing cover on at that time. I used a Y in the line from the EFI air pump to connect where my two original pumps had been. Eventually, I installed the whole top of the EFI engine on my short block, unfortunately it only has about 8:1 compression due to having the deep dished pistons and large combustion chambers (that is to be remedied shortly I hope).

Bill - Thanks for the explanation. Looks like Prashant can do the swap with either set of accessories, but probably easiest to just use the ones on the truck.

Prashant - How's the trip going?

[PetesPonies]

Bill - Thanks for the explanation. Looks like Prashant can do the swap with either set of accessories, but probably easiest to just use the ones on the truck.

Prashant - How's the trip going?

I have FPA headers on my '68 1/2 R Code Mustang. They aren't cheap either, but you definitely get what you pay for with these. Well built, hang no lower than the frame rails, etc. I do know they make a 429/460 headers, but certainly have no experience with it. But maybe something to check out.

[Gary Lewis]

I have FPA headers on my '68 1/2 R Code Mustang. They aren't cheap either, but you definitely get what you pay for with these. Well built, hang no lower than the frame rails, etc. I do know they make a 429/460 headers, but certainly have no experience with it. But maybe something to check out.

I just got a call from Prashant. He's dropped the ZF5 off in MN to be rebuilt, and is now 100 miles west of KC headed to Salina, KS to pick up the truck. The hope is that the truck will run long enough to get it on the trailer. Then he'll head south and hopes to drop by here tomorrow on his way back to GA.

Here's the trailer he's using, which is rather tall so he's going to have a great deal of wind drag with that F350 sitting on it. But, not to worry - note what he's towing it with. And, check out the mother-in-law seat.