460 usability?

[sspano01]

i've been researching possible oil issues with the 385 after my rod bearing failure. I did not turn up any conclusive/smoking-gun issue.

I think the root of my issue was that i burned out my oil. I had about 10 track days on it and was running a time-trial race and keeping the engine up at high rpms (about 5000-5500) for a period of time. The oil temperature was climbing near 270, it was only conventional oil, and i did not have an oil cooler.

so, in 2013, i'll have the oil cooler running, and change my oil after every 2-4 track days at the most. i think that will fix my issues. and the aviaid oil pan looks much better than the canton pan and its design should provide some better oil control over the canton.

i'll also have another car to hammer on ready by the summer so I wont be beating up my cobra so much.

[Tom Wells]

sspano01,

You might get some insight here into oil-related failures for the 460.

Experience with other Ford engines may or may not be relevant...

Accusump E.C.P valve or Manual?

That said, I've watched mod motors, FEs, small blocks and other 385 series engines fail at places like Sebring where there are long sweeping turns keeping oil pressure at or near zero for many seconds. Accusump keeps mine going there.

You may think that changing pans (without adding an Accusump or dry sump) will prevent this kind of failure - if so, I sincerely hope you are correct. My experience says there's still a very significant risk.

Tom

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by sspano01

i've been researching possible oil issues with the 385 after my rod bearing failure. I did not turn up any conclusive/smoking-gun issue.

I think the root of my issue was that i burned out my oil. I had about 10 track days on it and was running a time-trial race and keeping the engine up at high rpms (about 5000-5500) for a period of time. The oil temperature was climbing near 270, it was only conventional oil, and i did not have an oil cooler.

so, in 2013, i'll have the oil cooler running, and change my oil after every 2-4 track days at the most. i think that will fix my issues. and the aviaid oil pan looks much better than the canton pan and its design should provide some better oil control over the canton.

i'll also have another car to hammer on ready by the summer so I wont be beating up my cobra so much.

I also think you used up your oil, conventional oil is only good for about 250 degrees,then it begins to burn, synthetic oil is good for about 300 degrees....I run synthetic in my race car with oil temps at times up to 270 and the car has an oil cooler....I change the oil filter after 2 track days/races and then after 2 more, change the oil and filter,so far, no oil related problems....
I would not consider using conventional oil in a n engine for track use...

David