Thread: 460 Ford into 55 wagon

Tweet

I am about to try to set a 460 on a 55 wagon chassis. There are already stock, solid mounts on the frame. Anyone aware of a simple interface mount?

TY
Ray

oil pan on 460 has a forward sump-you might find one from with reverse sump

Upper Front suspension will be a problem as the 460 package is pretty wide plus the exhaust manifolds are even more so-the earlier Y type engines exhaust manifolds came up and over the suspension where 429/460 go down---

If you want to set the engine back behind the suspension and redo firewall will work(did a Lincoln in my 55 that way) it will help with area behind radiator for accessories and fan. ( of course it does create problems for foot clearance and trans tunnel( bucket seats will help)

Can't help with your questions, but wanted to welcome you to the forum. Hope you stick around, start a build thread and post pictures as you go along. Lots of guys willing to help here, if you run into problems.

Perhaps you mean something like this? Trans Dapt 9313, Trans Dapt Universal Crossmember Motor Mounts | Trans Dapt

Or, perhaps locating a vehicle that has or had a 460 in a wrecking yard ( pick a part), that you can snag the mounts from...

And welcome aboard.. nice car!

Welcome to CHR!

As has been previously eluded to, this will not be a simple drop-in transplant. I love engineering and technical challenges so I would be inclined to tell you, “Go for it!” that said, I’m also a planner and before you actually start buying a bunch of parts or cut anything, draw the project out on paper. Take tons of measurements and sketch the engine bay in detail. Decide how far you want to go in terms of sheet metal or frame surgery.

There seems to be a lot of interest in transplanting Coyote engine/drivetrains into vintage Fords and some kits are showing up on the retail market. Favorite is one I just read about for a ’55 T-Bird: BangShift.com Coyote Den: This Harmless Looking T-Bird Is One Of The Coolest Sleepers We Have Ever Seen - BangShift.com

The major considerations are: how much money do you want to spend, how much of the work are you comfortable (and qualified) to perform and how long will you keep this car?

If your budget is unlimited, you can build about anything you can imagine. Billy Gibbons sold Cadzilla for north of $350K!! Granted some of that value was the association with Billy and ZZ Top but if you have money, you can graft any engine into any car.

If you’re a talented body and paint whiz guy – again, you have a lot more options to do (or barter for) high quality work. And if you intend on keeping this car forever, you can spend as much as you want as it’s not so much a quick turnaround investment as it is a project you’ll enjoy for a good long time.

All that said, if you do decide to go for it – know that it will cost a lot more than you’re thinking right now and it will take a long time to get it done. If this is your first hot rod, I’d advise you to rethink this one as it’s difficult to maintain enthusiasm for the build unless you have unlimited time and money to devote to the process. I’ve spent hours that turn to days fabricating a bracket just to rip it out and start again because I wasn’t happy with the way it looks. I’ve tried to use aluminum where stainless steel would have been a better fit and ended talking the aluminum out and having the stainless piece fabricated by someone who does CNC on stainless. I love to hot rod and have never worked under a time or money constraint (by that I mean I can wait until I have the money). I’ve built a good number of engines but I’ve also decline a lot of builds because the individual wanting the build wasn’t realistic about the time and money required.

Again welcome! Bit of a rant but know that others far more knowledgeable than I am will chime in soon!

Glenn

Also besides the engine swap---------the 55 is 6 volt positive grd electrical system.To run the dash lites and gauges you can put an lead into the middle of the battery so as to get 6 volt for the dash--for all other lights , 12 volt bulbs are easy to get. Some early 429-460 had a power steering pump on the crank snout which eliminates a belt and accessory mount. just 12 volt alternator and a/c pump if you want to do air condition.

I would also suggest doing auto trans from the same donor vehicle-------truck trans are shorter than car trans tailshaft. Use exhaust pipes from pre 74 so not to have cats------

Will be a lot heavier unless you do a build with alum heads, manifold and radiator

And Welcome aboard

Specialty Auto Parts For Sale - Crites Performance Parts - critesperformanceparts.com

460 Motor Conversion Mount Kit with C6 Crossmember & Insulator $255

460/C6 transmission crossmember only with insulator $135

Aluminum Radiator 460 must use separate transmission cooler $295

Radiator Mount Kit $59

Radiator Fan Shroud for our aluminum radiator with 19” fan $79

460 Headers 2 inch tubes 3 1/2 inch collectors you will need to use our crossmember for these headers......Must use our motor mount kit $425.....Add Street Reducers for an additional $35

.

Originally Posted by rspears

Can't help with your questions, but wanted to welcome you to the forum. Hope you stick around, start a build thread and post pictures as you go along. Lots of guys willing to help here, if you run into problems.

I think your rules said no unapproved links. I an doing a running pictorial here.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1107207...68/55FordWagon

Originally Posted by RayDav

I think your rules said no unapproved links. I an doing a running pictorial here.

Wow! Lots of work done there! Big load on the rotisserie, and that front crossmember was like swiss cheese!

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Also besides the engine swap---------the 55 is 6 volt positive grd electrical system.

I would also suggest doing auto trans from the same donor vehicle-------truck trans are shorter than car trans tailshaft. Use exhaust pipes from pre 74 so not to have cats------

Will be a lot heavier unless you do a build with alum heads, manifold and radiator

And Welcome aboard

The only thing I am keeping from the dash is the speedometer head. I have a new gas tank and sender and have confirmed that the sender is compatible with later 12V gauges. I will scratch build the entire electrical system.

The trans is an E4OD. And yes, I have previously put one in an early vehicle. The rear is a 3.5 nine inch with new springs. A previous owner had flipped the shackles in an attempt to maintain ride height - a standard trick back then.

I have recently gone to aluminum, triple flow radiators. This and the next four pics is how I mounted it in my Mustang.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1107207...22396698044162

I have had the engine and trans for some time. The engine is from my wife's previous 71 Mach 1 - she now has a 73 Mach 1/460. I am going to rebuild the engine. I have pretty much settled on a 4.5 inch crank because it costs so little extra.

Aluminum heads I am still considering. Besides saving a little weight I am not sure what they would buy me. This is to be my wife's "big" car, and "tour" car - I had originally hoped to have it functional for 2016 Power Tour, but that would mean too many "short cuts". She is a first grade teacher and sometimes needs to haul a lot of stuff. I also intend to put a serious trailer hitch on it. And, it will probably never see 5K RPM.

I have the parts to fab a stainless exhaust, but choosing manifolds will wait until the engine is in.

As for cost, I admit, I have traded some internet buying time for Pic-a-Part time. And I have created a separate account for this car.

Well Welcome aboard-I've looked at you pics and it sure seems you are pretty deep into this and other progects and not over your head in any area-

Like I posted-I did an MEL engine into my 55 back in early 60s (probably 61) and I set it back the gasser 10% rule which is actually much more than 10% because they measure from #1 spark plug to spindle-was crowded in front seat area--------

In 1970 I put a 1969 Lincoln 460 in my F250 pickup and many, many Ford engineers came to look at it at the drag races ( Racing top fuel-push truck) and Ford came out with the option in 1973---my truck was known among them as the Devil truck( so I been told by several since retired Ford engineers)

Good luck---looks like more sheet metal work than drivetrain


Apple Valley?near I 15? I went thru there on way to Bakersfield March Meet race last month

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Like I posted-I did an MEL engine into my 55 back in early 60s (probably 61) and I set it back the gasser 10% rule which is actually much more than 10% because they measure from #1 spark plug to spindle-was crowded in front seat area--------

Good luck---looks like more sheet metal work than drivetrain

Apple Valley?near I 15? I went thru there on way to Bakersfield March Meet race last month

The engine I have is front sump, and my intent is to set it where the original was. I may "shorten" the engine with a remote water pump.

It is a rust bucket, but I was able to get a patch panel for that left quarter panel.

Yes, Apple valley off I 15. And, we will be in Bakersfield this weekend for the NSRA gig.

Originally Posted by RayDav

I am about to try to set a 460 on a 55 wagon chassis. There are already stock, solid mounts on the frame. Anyone aware of a simple interface mount?

TY
Ray

Don't have any details but my mate has a 460 in his '55 4-door Customline, he did the swap 20+ years ago and here in NZ we didn't have 'kits' to fit different motors to different cars back then (And still don't -our cars have the steering-box on the right side!) so it's all one-off custom bracket making and adapting.
So my take is it can't be THAT hard to do.

Originally Posted by rspears

Wow! Lots of work done there! Big load on the rotisserie, and that front crossmember was like swiss cheese!

Yep, that front crossmember is the 'Achilles heel' of '55-'56 Fords, I've seen plenty that seemed to be composed of rust and fresh air!

I guess they fill with water (radiator overflow?) and rust from the inside.

Originally Posted by Kiwi37

Yep, that front crossmember is the 'Achilles heel' of '55-'56 Fords, I've seen plenty that seemed to be composed of rust and fresh air!

I guess they fill with water (radiator overflow?) and rust from the inside.

'54 Front cross-member build and install | The H.A.M.B.