Thread: 400m (335) or 460 (385) for my 79 F250

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I either need to rebuild the exisitng 400 in my truck or put in a 460 which I also have sitting in the shop. They both should bolt up to the transmission. I think I would need the mounting brackets to install the 460. This is my pulling rig for traliers, etc. Camper special. Pursuade me one way or the other.

The 460 is a nice choice but you have to torch a bit of the front cross member for a low mount alternator setup and you need tofind a rear sump oil pan. Everything else is pretty straight forward and easy. The tranny will bolt to it. L&L makes a mount that works good and will not bust. Rebiuld cost is about the same, 460's have alot of aftermarket following now days so its a good choice that will alow you to grow into if you wish.

Both are good motors, but it depends on how much weight your pulling around. For the weight I would use the 460, and you have alot of after market parts to choose from. The 400m like the cleveland has very few after market parts to choose from.
But you already know this Dave, so I guess you'll have to revert to the eenie meenie minie moe method. HE! HE! HE!


~ Vegas ~

i'd say go with the 460, much larger parts line and a more dependable motor, every 400 I've run into has problems left and right...

The 460 will be a much better puller, but you pay for it in fuel mileage. My old 460 powered one ton crew cab never got much better than about 12 mpg!! Now we have a diesel, gets at least 17 mpg and never seems to be working when pulling a trailer. If those were my choices, I would go with the 460, just be aware of the low fuel mileage. Doubt the 400 would do much better, never have ran one, but have friends that did. Mileage with the 400 wasn't any better than my 460 according to them.

One thing I am haveing some trouble with and that is finding the mounts to mount the 460 in place of the 400m. Anybody know where to find the proper mounts? Not the motor mounts but the metal braces that go to the frame! Local yards don't prove promising!

LMC truck has brackets that mount and it appears they eliminate the motor mounts and it is a solid mount with some bushings as all the cushion available. about $160. I dould do this if nothing else turns up!