Thread: 460 vs 454

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hey im just wondering if someone wanted to do a build on their first big block which would be the best choice for a all around fun engine. 454 bbd vs 460bbf

If you have a choice----


I put a 460 in my 1970 F250 , a 1974 F350 with 460, a 1980 Ford with 400 and later had a 1984 Chev crew cab with 454-----------Ford with 460 was much better than chev 454, ford 400 dud---1970 460 had higher compression than later ones and the cam was timed earlier ( Smogela days, lower compression, retard cams, sniff exhaust pipe)


I would put alum heads on what ever you choose as the iron ones are heavy-----------

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

If you have a choice----


I put a 460 in my 1970 F250 , a 1974 F350 with 460, a 1980 Ford with 400 and later had a 1984 Chev crew cab with 454-----------Ford with 460 was much better than chev 454, ford 400 dud---1970 460 had higher compression than later ones and the cam was timed earlier ( Smogela days, lower compression, retard cams, sniff exhaust pipe)


I would put alum heads on what ever you choose as the iron ones are heavy-----------

yes im told heads and cam are the most important part of any motor i plan on rebuilding whatever i get but i wonder since aluminum expands at a differnet rate than steel or iron what affect does this have on a motor, and can you boost iron heads more with nitrous or is it about the same strength?

A "fun" engine??? What do you plan to do with this engine? Building it for racing? Or maybe stock? If I didn't have a preference I guess I'd go with something close by and easy to get. Perhaps start watching C-list or the local paper...

Originally Posted by 34_40

A "fun" engine??? What do you plan to do with this engine? Building it for racing? Or maybe stock? If I didn't have a preference I guess I'd go with something close by and easy to get. Perhaps start watching C-list or the local paper...

just want to give it some snap like 500-550, put it in a street rod. somthing with good low to mid response but i can gain that with gearing i have always liked the big blocks for their torque

Originally Posted by joede870

just want to give it some snap like 500-550, put it in a street rod. somthing with good low to mid response but i can gain that with gearing i have always liked the big blocks for their torque

There's a thread or two with guys building big blocks right now.. I'd say start by reading what they are doing (or need to do) and learn from their experience(s). 500 HP isn't real hard to do with the right parts and machining.. and aluminum heads will allow you to raise your compression a point or two. And they can handle a good bit of NOS.... what's the car it'll go in?


check out this thread.. should have some good info that you're going to need to at least consider! And check out our Engine Forum..

Originally Posted by 34_40

There's a thread or two with guys building big blocks right now.. I'd say start by reading what they are doing (or need to do) and learn from their experience(s). 500 HP isn't real hard to do with the right parts and machining.. and aluminum heads will allow you to raise your compression a point or two. And they can handle a good bit of NOS.... what's the car it'll go in?

honestly im not shure what it is going to go in yet im going to try and build the motor this summer then i will look for a vehicle that catches my eye probably just a unpainted rolling chassi il drop it in and then paint it flat black lol i just want to build a budget motor and hot rod to have some fun with if possible and i love turning a wrench so its a fun exuse to learn how to build a motor. whatever i do i definatly want nitrous, just for when you need it haha
do you think this goal can be achived if i could get the motor for 300 or less with a budget of 2400 or less

i built many bbc and stroked the bbc 454 deck 9.800 stock block to about max 512CID and in the 10.200 tall deck 427 beer truck stock Gm block to 540CID .ford 429/460 10.320 deck is only one deck and is a tall wide engine so may want to check fitment of what body your putting it in .it is not hard to build a 429/460 to 572 is max with a short fill of block rock. building with a stock block and a 4.500bore and 4.500 stroke any one of these engine with only 2400 budget will be very hard .you will have to fined some very good deals some used parts and good deals may not be so great after you get the bill from the machine shop

What no fighting over which is better? Detante at last! FWIW both are nice engines, Pat and Jerry and a few others here can offer help in whatever decission you make, I/m happy with my 460.

Originally Posted by stovens

What no fighting over which is better? Detante at last! FWIW both are nice engines, Pat and Jerry and a few others here can offer help in whatever decission you make, I/m happy with my 460.

what engine is better ....ford is more money on cost of parts still need as many parts as a chevy bbc . but rods ,rod bearings.rocker arms . are big block chevy on Ford strokers . after market ford heads use bbc port lay out for headers. the ford as some things i do not like that can not be fixed easly .the bbc not so much but the chevy other then it has smaller bore centers . and smaller oil pan rails were you will be working on the chevy block to get a big crank in one. bore limit on stock block chevy bore limit is 4.350to4.375 .on some stock blocks. there is many things the ford guys will jump all over the chevy and the same with the chevy guys .i as a engine builder i just need to know the weak parts of both engines and not much of the brand loyalty B.S

Originally Posted by pat mccarthy

what engine is better ....ford is more money on cost of parts still need as many parts as a chevy bbc . but rods ,rod bearings.rocker arms . are big block chevy on Ford strokers . after market ford heads use bbc port lay out for headers. the ford as some things i do not like that can not be fixed easly .the bbc not so much but the chevy other then it has smaller bore centers . and smaller oil pan rails were you will be working on the chevy block to get a big crank in one. bore limit on stock block chevy bore limit is 4.350to4.375 .on some stock blocks. there is many things the ford guys will jump all over the chevy and the same with the chevy guys .i as a engine builder i just need to know the weak parts of both engines and not much of the brand loyalty B.S

Well since I don't have a chasi should I just rebuild whatever I get and put just forged internals aluminum heads and a good street cam, that way I can learn joe to do it and when it goes il bore it out I 500+ cubes and then go for performance, I mean no matter what I do with it it will still be faster than my tacoma ahahahha

Originally Posted by joede870

Well since I don't have a chasi should I just rebuild whatever I get and put just forged internals aluminum heads and a good street cam, that way I can learn joe to do it and when it goes il bore it out I 500+ cubes and then go for performance, I mean no matter what I do with it it will still be faster than my tacoma ahahahha

There is some sense in that approach. But while you're looking for the target of your money.. keep your eyes open for the end result of your rebuild. Also, if you can score a deal on forged components, cool! But, I wouldn't make it a prioirity as your project may never move forward as you'll constantly be saving coin to buy parts. Like I said earlier, just some things to consider, make a plan of what you want to do.

Originally Posted by joede870

Well since I don't have a chasi should I just rebuild whatever I get and put just forged internals aluminum heads and a good street cam, that way I can learn joe to do it and when it goes il bore it out I 500+ cubes and then go for performance, I mean no matter what I do with it it will still be faster than my tacoma ahahahha

well start looking at prices forged crank in 4340 steel 460 is $1000. my cost. for over seas crank USA steel is much more . cast steel is $400. rods $400.and up. Pistons forged 600. Bbc crank will be less about $450 to$700. for 4340 over sea.s crank but the 454 or 427 tall deck block cores cost more money then 429/460 .

I can offer this.. building a 500 hp motor is achievable but then you need to consider a chassis that can survive and use that horsepower! And more important stop that horsepower!!

The more performance you want to achieve, the more it'll cost. Since you have no clear set goals yet. I'd suggest doing a "more vanilla" overhaul so you can still have your fun and since you're set on a big block you can still make lots of torque/hp to get your blood flowing.

It is that old saying, Speed costs money, how fast can you afford to go???

To get into the power levels you're wanting, and especially running nitrous you're going to need the services of a good machine shop for the block and bottom end. And like Mike says, dropping a built big block into a frame that's not built for the power is a death wish. If you go into the process without a plan you're going to spend twice as much chasing rabbit trails and rework, IMO.