460 514 Crate Engines

[tony martin]

ANYBODY OUT THERE FITTED A FORD RACING 460 OR 514 CRATE ENGINE? PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR COMMENTS IF U HAVE. THANKS

[xlr8or]

There are many SPF cars out there running these crate motors. Seems to be the Big Block of choice for SPF buyers. They won't fit in some of the replica's so be sure you verify it will before ordering.

[tony martin]

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY. I SURE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF U GUYS WITH THESE ENGINES ALREADY FITTED.
HOPE U GET YOUR NEW SNAKE SOON.
REGARDS

[Tony Aprile]

I purchased my 460/SPF knowing the vast majority of SPF's run 351 blocks, but I wanted a Big Block without spending the big bucks for a 427/428.

SPF's are engineered to fit ford small blocks, 385's and FE's, so it made my choice easy.

The 460 takes up a bit more room then the 351 and maintance to plugs is very tight by the steering column. It also heats up a bit faster then a small block in traffic. Driveability is fine with running low rpm's in higher gears, I have driven some small block 351 strokers that you can not run under 1500 rpm's.

I would change the the rear gearing from the 3.73's I have to 3.27's and the transmission gearing to a 2.87 first gear and .83 overdrive replacing the 3.27 first gear and .68 overdrive I presently have for also better driveability.

As far as the weight goes I have been told It's between 100 and 150 lbs more than a small block with all the aluminum bolt on's.

Im happy with my choice and last winter I installed dual quads.

Pic's in my gallery

Tony

[jjtarnow]

I have a 514 in my Everett-Morrison and love it thus far. The torque is unbelievable and the hp is fairly even up the rpm range..it's a total monster.

There are some that feel if you ever score the cylinder wall the motor is toast because Ford Racing bores them out to such a large overage and thins out the walls.

The motor is hot and the headers will come close (and inch off the rear header) to the side of the engine bay so you need to wrap/coat your headers and/or insulate the engine bay with reflective alum sheeting.

Any specific questions feel free to contact me on the board or via email.

Good luck,
Josh

[Back in Black]

A few points after having owned one and re-built it once:

1) Re-torque all head and intake bolts after 200-300 miles. I just did this on my re-built 514 (Requires breaking down the roller rockers and then re-adjusting them on re-install, be sure you know what you are doing and re-place them where they came from in sequence) The intake bolts were LOOSE and several of the head studs were @90 lbs (spec is 135) I know they were torqued right during re-build as it is a good machine shop in Tacoma.. You will need to check the settings on the mechanical roller rockers at least every 1500 miles after that. Fail to do this for at least the first 5 to 10 k miles and you may destroy your motor. After that time you can increase the inspection intervals. [believe the reason for the slack torque was gaskets settling due to the heat and alum vs cast iron, Ford says to re-torque after ONE day's operation)

2) If you have to replace the VERY tall Victor Jr that comes with the 514 then be very sure to clean the surfaces well, use RTV silicone for the end seals, and do consider having "port-matching" done while it's apart. The stock ports on the Vic Jr and also the Torker 2 that was the replacement, were both tiny compared to the Cobra Jet heads. Ford does not bother to port match.

3) These motors have a lot of power (and heat, good thing I have a well-insulated firewall) But they do not like to rev like a small motor, and you will want at least a 5 speed to compensate for this, IMO.

4) Use enough clutch.. like a McCleod 12 inch (mine is rated for 750 HP) or go with a well-built c4 or c6

5) Use an aluminum radiator with the 1 inch passages. Two rows should be enough if you have a powerful puller fan. My stock radiator has 7 rows and IMO it's less efficient than the above due to the tiny flow tubes.

6) Be sure to use a fuel pressure regulator if you have a fuel pump like mine, the blue label Holley. They put out 2x the pressure needed for one carb and this causes RICH running and flooding.

7) My West Coast was desinged for this motor (429/460) and it's a bigger car than the other makes, the motor still barely fits. Ask your manufacturer first...

[tony martin]

THANKS A LOT GUYS FOR THE INFO. I MIGHT HAVE TO COME BACK AT U A LITTLE LATER.

REGARDS

[Hang-on]

Hey Tony - I also have an Everett-Morrison with a 514 in it. It is a tight squeeze, and you'll most likely need a low-rise intake manifold, but it can be done. However, Superformance is the only company that I can think of right now who still makes a package to accept a 460 block. Everett Morrisons' website lists only 427/428 as engine options for thier new Gen IV. I'm sure there are some other makes (FFR?) too though. Good luck.

[xlr8or]

FFR and I believe Unique can be fit with a 460.