5.8 Windsor or 7.5 liter 460 Ford engines

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electrolux-dude

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Canyon, TX
I have a question regarding which of these engines are better, in a Ford extended van. Also are the 4.9 straight six available in Ford 1 ton extended Ford vans? I've in the past always had the Windsor engines in my vans and probably would go with another, but mainly was wanting to find out your experience with a 460, I've got my eyes on a 1986 Ford extended van with a 460 engine, I'm presuming it's a carburetor engine and not fuel injection, has 147,000 miles, seller is asking $1775.00 but told me he'd be willing to take $1500.00.
 
Nathan

I have never had any experience with the 351 Windsor motor, however I have a 1978 Lincoln Town Car with the 460 in it and I have been super impressed with its performance. Now be prepared, the 460's LOVE their fuel, I get like 11 to 12 MPG, but my car weighs nearly 7000 lbs too so you can't expect the fuel economy of a smart car! I would assume their good engines though, as Ford put them in their motor homes as power plants, at least on the older units. Based on my personal experience, I don't think you can go wrong with a good 460! Good luck!

Steve
 
300 six...

Donalds dad has a 1990 Ford truck with the straight six, 300 cid, it has 340000 miles on it, and the valve cover has never been removed, it burns NO oil and runs as good as ever.
 
What price do you pay for a gallon of petrol ?.
We're having cars with smaller & smaller engines due to the cost of fuel. Depending on where you buy fuel over here, you can pay anywhere from £5.75 to £8.00 a gallon for petrol & diesel is even worse.
 
It's about $2.35 here in N.C. but I topped off in Roanoke, Va. yesterday for $2.16. It's been gradually drifting down for about the past month. It peaked earlier this summer at around $2.75.
 
Both the 351 W as well as the 460 are the same class engine from Ford. They are both from the Y-block family which includes the 289, 302, 351, 400, 409 and 460. The Windsor designation is regarding the head design or the Windsor head as opposed to the Cleveland.

Both engines are solid performers, only caveat, watch your oil level. The Y-Block engines oil backwards, they oil the cam first then the main bearings. If your oil level gets slightly low and causes a drop in pressure, it can cause your mains to oil starve. Usually not a problem with a 6 qt sump, but it has happened.

If you are looking at gas consumption the 351 will do a little better mileage wise, the 460 will drain your tank when you turn the key. If you want torque and go power the 460 was what the Police interceptors used to use and will propel you with little effort.
 
A friend has the 460 in her F 250, used most of it's 170,000 towing! Her family has run it out of oil 3 times and yet it lives on! Just last year towed a fifth wheel half way across country. Damn is all I can say.
 
The oiling problem also has to do

with the Windsor's small oil passages, so a poor maintenance habit will lead to plugged oil passages and couple that with a low oil situation and you get to rebuild your engine.  


 


The Windsor which is just  a small block 302 on steroids, same bore spacing same deck height; was manufactured much longer than the large block 427 & 460, due to the fuel crisis and emission regulations.  The Windsor would be the better choice for aftermarket parts availability.  
 
Hey guy's: Thanks for your replies to my question about gas prices, much appreciated. Prices have dropped a bit over here in most places, it's down to around £1.11 a litre for Diesel & £1.15 for petrol. That's the lowest it's been in probably 13 years.


 
 
Though crude prices are down

Our gas prices in the Mid-west have risen from .30 to $1 in the last week due to a problem with the BP refinery that supplies a good portion of fuel in the Mid section.

Manufactured shortage (my personal belief), but BP swears it is unavoidable, and we know an oil company wouldn't lie.
 
I'm thinking the 460. I'm thinking about going with one when I replace the motor in my 1974 Ford F250 Camper Special to replace the factory 5.9L 360 that is currently in it. Or I'm going to find 390 to stash in there.
 
Unrelated...

I don't know a lot about the Ford motors as I've been around Chevys my entire life. I always find myself going back to the tried and true 5.7L small block. I went with another Vortec 5.7L in my 1997 Silverado 2500 instead of a 7.4L
 
If the basic bones are still good. Block isn't cracked, Heads aren't warped. It could be more cost effective to rebuild your current engine, rather than do a swap. That is unless you really want to do a swap, then go for it.

BTW--searching the Ford 390 a complete drop in engine will set you back about $2,300-$3,900. If doing your own labor/installation this is not prohibitive for a rebuilt engine, just be sure to ask what standards they used during the rebuild i.e. new bearings, check tolerances, rings, king pins, push rods, rockers, also always have a new oil pump installed. Did the plastigage the mains or just slap them together and torque them?

Which tranny are you mating it too? If it's an autobox like the C-6. While you are at it go ahead and drop the tranny and have it gone through. Cheap insurance Bands, clutches seals even in light duty will varnish up. A clutch pack that feels solid now, mated to a new stronger engine will have some slippage, will overheat and fail. At minimum if you feel the transmission is ok, change the fluid and filter.

If you have a standard transmission, be sure to check the clutch while you have everything torn apart.
 
Y Block.....

Y Blocks are239, 272, 292 and 312, solid lifter engines.These were Fords early overhead valve motors, 1954- The newer design came out in 58, these were 332,352,390, 406 and 427, im not sure what the designation letter was.
 
Y Block

Hans,

I have a 1954 Ford Crestline with one of the small Y Block V-8's in it. Very strong, tough little engine, with a surprising amount of pep to it (considering it's age). I haven't touched the engine in the car in any way other than to put new points/condenser in it, and that thing runs like a sewing machine. Matched up with the three on the tree, it really does surprise me how good that old car still goes!
 
A WHOLE LOT

Of moonshine liquor was hauled around her in those old Fords, I talked to Junior Johnson once who told me it was really unbelievable just how much you could do with a old Ford motor, also, many Fords had their powertrain changed to Cadillac and Olds engines....then they would REALLY fly!
 

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