You don’t hear about it too often, but if you’re looking at older Ford or Mercury cars, you may learn of the Ford 460 engine.
A powerful engine, getting the opportunity to get behind the wheel of one of these is well worth the experience.
What are the specs for the Ford 460 engine?
The Ford 460 engine is a V8 that has a cylinder bore of 4.36 inches and a crankshaft stroke of 3.85 inches. Prior to 1972, this vehicle hit 365 horsepower at 4600 RPMs and 485 lb-ft. at 2800 RPMs.
The Ford 460 engine is the type of engine you really have to like driving. It was produced and used in a variety of vehicles over the years, each one being a bit more impressive than the last. Here, we’ll provide you with some insight into its history and what you can expect.
Make sure to take a second to check out the pre-owned vehicle you are considering at Vehicle History before you make a purchase. That’s going to give you more of the specs you need about the individual vehicles.
The History of the Ford 460 Engine
The Ford 460 engine was first produced in 1968. It was the engine that followed the 462 MEL V8 engine. It was first launched in the Continental Mark II. At that time, the only vehicle manufacturer with it was Lincoln, and it was used limitedly.
In 1972, the 460 engine was available for the Mercury lineup of vehicles. It was then added to the Ford line up in 1973. Ford put the engine into its light-duty trucks. That included the F-Series vehicles that are the predecessors of the well-loved trucks today.
Initially, the engine was just in the high-end Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, but Ford’s use of it made it more streamlined and more recognizable. It would become the largest engine available to the F-Series trucks at that time.
Ford and Lincoln-Mercury used the 460 engine in their full-size cars until 1980. At that point, Ford placed these engines into its Econoline 350 vehicles.
After a short break, these engines would again appear in F-Series trucks. It was in 1988 that they received fuel injection, which gave them up to 225 horsepower. This upgrade also increased the engine’s torque output.
The final production runs for the Ford 460 engine were in 1992 and 1994. At that time, the engine produced 245 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. After this, Ford introduced the 6.8L (413 ci) V10 engine for its Super Duty trucks, putting this engine out of business.
Which Models Have a Ford 460 Engine?
As noted, numerous vehicle manufacturers utilized these engines, and with that comes many trims using them. Here are some of the most common models of vehicles using the Ford 460 engine:
- Ford Thunderbird from 1972 through 1976
- Ford E-Series 1975 through 1996
- Mercury Cougar 1974 to 1976
- Ford Mercury full-size vehicles 1972 to 1978
- Ford F-Series 1973 through 1988
People Also Ask
The Ford 460 engine is an interesting option because of how powerful it was at the time. That’s why there are so many questions about it, too. Here are some of those questions and answers for you.
How Many Miles Per Gallon Does a Ford 460 Get?
Estimates are that the Ford 460 engine gets 10 miles per gallon. That’s most certainly not impressive by today’s standards, but it is quite the interesting option. Ford used these engines in only larger vehicles and in trucks, which typically were not rated for fuel economy that well.
How Many Liters is a Ford 460 Engine?
The Ford 460 engine has 7.5 liters.
Are 429 and 460 Blocks the Same?
It is possible to interchange the Ford 429 and Ford 460 engines. That is because they have the same 4.36-inch bores on them. However, they have a different stroke. It is possible to drop the 460 crank into the block of a 429 to have the performance of the 460 engine.
Is the Ford 460 a Good Engine?
As a truck engine, for the most part, the Ford 460 engine is solid. It can handle virtually any needs that people want from it as a workhorse. It does give the driver ample power and, depending on which model vehicle it’s own, it can be a fun ride as well.
Is a Ford 460 a Big Block Engine?
Both the Ford 460 and the Ford 429 are considered big block engines, or big-bore and short stroke engines. In these vehicles, the rod is 6.605 inches in length. That creates a 1.71:1 rod-length-to-stroke ratio.
How Much Will It Cost to Rebuild a Ford 460 Engine?
There are a lot of factors that play a role in the overall costs to rebuild. Most often, it is going to cost around $1500 or more for the machine work and the parts, but it can be more if you only need new pistons or you need a re-ring kit for it.
How Big Can You Make the Ford 460 Engine?
It is possible to increase it significantly. This vehicle has a 4.36 inch bore diameter. It is the same as the Ford 429. It is possible to make either one into a 501 with a 4.3905-inch bore diameter or a 0.0305-inch overbore.
What is the Difference Between the Ford 429 and the Ford 460 Blocks?
These engines are very similar in multiple ways. As noted, the only real difference is the stroke.
However, there are ways to configure both models to work in various vehicles.
Should You Buy the Ford 460 Engine or a Vehicle with It?
You have a lot of reasons to love the Ford 460 engine. Is it right for you and your needs? To find that out, you have to know more than just the specs on the engine itself. Check out all of the details of the pre-owned vehicle you’re interested in at Vehicle History.
