Ford 460 Crate Engine: Everything You Need To Know

Cheryl B
Dec 22, 2020

The Boss Block is back. The Ford 460 crate engine is a small block Windsor engine that makes 575 horses. Also known as the Z460, this legendary engine features high flow Z-Heads. When you want to replace the engine in your vehicle with something that has more power, or because you want to make changes to the engine to increase horsepower, the Ford 460 crate engine is a great engine to go with.

Read more about the history and specifications of Ford’s newest “old” Ford 460 crate engine.

History of the Ford 460 Crate Engine

Back in the day, you could only find the 460 in Lincolns. However, when Ford discontinued the 429 they used in Thunderbirds, it dropped the 460 into the Thunderbird. Eventually, Ford used the 460 in additional Ford and Mercury models, including the F-series pickup trucks.

History of the Ford 460 Crate Engine - Vehicle History

The 460 was discontinued in cars in 1979 when Ford downsized the cars, but you could still find it in E-series vans and F-series trucks in the 1990s.

The 460 engines built prior to 1972 had 365 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 485 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,800 rpm. In 1972, Ford increased the horsepower to 212 horses at 4,400 rpm and 342 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,600 rpm.

When fuel injection came into play in the 1980s, the horsepower dropped to 245 and the torque increased to 400 lb.-ft. of torque. The compression ratio changed from 10.5:1 for the pre-1972 engines to 8.5:1 for those built in 1972 and later.

What Are the Specs of the Ford 460 Crate Engine?

The Ford 460 crate engine – the Z460 – makes 575 horsepower and 575 lb.-ft. of torque. It runs on pump gas, so you can drive it on the street or take it to the track.

The bottom end features a SCAT® forged steel crank, Mahle® pistons, Clevite® bearings, and SCAT® forged H-beam rods, all in a 351-based small block Ford.

This crate engine has a displacement of 460 cubic inches with a 4.150-inch bore and 4.250-inch stroke. The block features a 9.5-inch deck.

The top-end features a hydraulic roller camshaft with a .594” / .618” lift. The cam has a duration of 242 degrees on the intake and 248 degrees on the exhaust at .050 inches. The aluminum Z cylinder heads feature 2.02-inch intake valves and 1.60-inch exhaust valves.

The rocker arm ratio is 1.65:1 and the compression ratio is 10.0:1. Ignition timing is set at 32 degrees at 4,000 rpm and the maximum rpm is 5,600 rpm. Ford recommends using an Edelbrock Super Victor intake manifold (PN 2924), long tube headers, and a Holley® 850 CFM carburetor.

The firing order is the same as the 5.0-liter HO and the 351 W firing order: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

Which Models Feature the Ford 460 Crate Engine?

The 460 was used in Lincolns, Thunderbirds, some Mercury models, and in the F-series trucks and E-series vans. You could usually find a 460 in LTDs, Torinos, Rancheros, and Country Squire wagons.

People Also Ask These Questions Related to the Ford 460 Crate Engine

Car Mechanic Holding A Wrench

How much horsepower does a Ford 460 have?

The new crate engine has 575 horsepower. Engines that were built prior to 1972 had 485 horsepower.

Is the Ford 460 a big block?

Ford lists it as a small block, but it does have a big bore.

Is the Ford 460 a good engine?

The 460, while used in cars, is a truck engine. That said, the engine is a solid engine that is made to work. And, it has a lot of horsepower, so you can do just about anything you want – within reason, of course.

What is the best stock 460 block?

If you are looking for an older 460, the DOVE-A or the D1VE-AA are better blocks.

How many miles per gallon does a Ford 460 get?

It depends on how you set it up, and which intake you use. The rear-end gears also make a big difference in fuel economy. And, the transmission you choose also makes a difference.

How big can a Ford 460 get?

The 429and the 460 use the same short block with a bore of 4.36 inches. If you stroke the engine to 3.59 inches, you have a 429. If you stroke it to 3.85 inches, you get a 460. If you overbore it to 4.3905, you can make a 501 cubic inch block.

Is it cheaper to buy a crate engine or build one?

It depends on the tools you have, the tools you need to buy, and what you put in the engine. Building a strong race engine with the best high-performance parts will cost you more in parts and labor than the cost of the crate engine.You can also go cheaper by putting standard, non-high performance parts in the block, though that is not recommended.

What’s the difference between a Ford 429 and a 460?

The 429 has a shorter stroke, thus it has less displacement and less power per camshaft rotation. A longer stroke makes more power.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Angelo Mosca on November 11, 2022
Wrong Information
The article about the 429/460 has several errors. Just boring it 50 thousandth does not give you 501ci. Needs stroked as well & can be brought to 557ci. The small block 460 is a 351W bored & stroked. In 1972, Ford decreased compression to 8.5:1 making 212hp. After that, the 460 never made more than 230hp again. 1968 to 1971, The 429 was 360hp & 480tq. 460 was 365hp & 510tq
accountCircle keith on March 29, 2023
Someone that doesn't know s**t about cars wrote this article
Who in their right mind thinks a 460 is a small block, what a moron
avatar Cheryl B
Cheryl and her husband owned a repair shop from 1994 until he retired in 2007. She also worked as a paralegal and writer since 2004. She uses her management skills, automotive experience, and paralegal experience to write for several publications.
  • Articles
  • chevronRightAlternative
  • Ford 460 Crate Engine: Everything You Need To Know