Speed Secrets How Well Does a Big Block Ford Respond to Modifications

While the Big Block Ford might not have the popularity of other platforms, it’s durable and inexpensive to work on. Richard Holdener puts a BBF to the test with a few modifications to see how well it responds on this episode of Speed Secrets.

[@ronanigans4715]

My left ear learned a lot

[@donnelhuddleston2478]

Hey! 👋 What a coincidence, Mine too!😆

[@Silkmaster4200]

My condolences your right ear not working lol jk

[@ziggytatz8244]

Rip right ear

[@broncostar590]

can we all grow up and realize ford made some good stuff

[@mayonnaiseluther1568]

The way i see it chevy has a bigger aftermarket and makes more powerr but isnt as reliable while ford was reliable with a smaller aftermarket and can make respectable power

[@JungleFromHempstead-qv7kz]

Fords made the best stuff for a long time ....definitely in the pick up truck game

[@kelvinhill9874]

Joey Balas no they didn’t. 69 Lincoln’s and T birds had the standard C9VE heads. They were that stock standard base head. The same head was used for 429 2V, 429 Thunder Jet and 460 engines that year.

[@albertgaspar627]

Ford did make good engines. But guess where their canted valve idea came from :) What does hurt the 460 is a simple matter of timing. The only good heads were the Boss and the 429 CJ, two versions you weren't gonna just find on a junkyard Mustang. The Rat had three, the rectangle for racing, the oval for street, and the peanut port for towing. Now that good heads are available the 460 is getting attention...just like the Mopar 318.

[@eddiehennig7835]

@@albertgaspar627 - The heads were definitely the limiting factor. You can fit a beer can in the intake ports but the exhaust ports are short and make a tight turn over 90° and had air injection bosses protruding into the runners. You did leave out the D2OE police interceptor heads as a good head though. They had factory screw-in studs, pushrod guide plates, ports a little smaller than but similar to the CJ casting, and a combustion chamber size between the early heads and late heads.

[@frankieford7668]

Damn ...Richard why you telling everyone what us hard core Ford guys have known for years...i made 700hp with those exact Castings an a 2.250 intake valve and 1.760 exhaust ...and about 30 hours of porting....675 torque and a 4.500 stroker Crank....and thats with Pump friendly 10 to 1 compression....They make great power.....😎

[@crashburn821]

What kind of cam did u use? I got a 429cj and I'm interested in doing the same! Ty

[@cammontreuil7509]

@@crashburn821 I wish he would have told you. I've been nick named CAM for my knowledge and experience. But I don't just give out info for nothing. Maybe he doesn't either. Everyone wants something for free.

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

@@cammontreuil7509 oh bs lol really

[@kone.linngus3651]

​@overbuiltautomotive1299 He was probably using a catalog Mutha Thumpr cam that was slightly degreed. You know how those "cam" guys are lol.

[@johnbehneman1546]

GREAT VIDEO RICHARD!!! THANKS FOR SHARING & LEARNED SO MUCH.

[@rondyechannel1399]

That 460 is a short stroke engine at 3.85" and with a little more cam and RPM would easily go sailing right past 500 hp. That 1968 Lincoln motor had an unusual feature. The power steering pump was crank driven off the front of the motor and used a special front cover. Great set up for hydro boost brakes!

[@jesse75]

429 was a short stroke.

[@rondyechannel1399]

I have one of those set ups from a 460 Lincoln. Thinking of using it on my F350 (has that Lincoln) to keep the belts from squalling with the big tires.

[@m.pietro9087]

Awesome guideline Richard. Your channel is super. I loved the simple power combination and once I drive full sizes BBF I’d love to be the this power combination, but with stock exhaust manifolds to balance if worths to have it or to avoid some headaches related to headers. Once again, thank you for your videos.

[@carpathian677]

I thought it was a Ajax commercial for a second!

[@kylefortner8709]

Where's Francis?!

[@cammontreuil7509]

Mister clean maybe.

[@leestewart3690]

Jon Kaase Boss 9 top end on that 460 and not only make great power but also the best looking engine at any car show.

[@JungleFromHempstead-qv7kz]

Just purchased a 90 F-250 with the 460 ...this video was great

[@johnbehneman1546]

WOW!!!! I am so impressed!!!! How much power is in that block that is untapped !!!! And readily available at junkyards !!!!! WOW, The options are endless. Great video and thanks for sharing.

[@crimsonstang]

Oh gosh, a 557 swapped Mustang... I need it.

[@shosaleen]

Ive always wanted one

[@jimhodges3471]

I`d like to know more about the heads. Who did the porting. Cost. Flow numbers?

[@StoicFighter]

Stock High compression 460 non-cobra jet heads 240 HP For barrel intake Four barrel carburetor, long tube headers *Dyno 349 HP @ 4,700 492 Lb-ft @3,000 rpm Aluminum four V intake Healthy comp cam Bowl work Port matching Reworked the exhaust port Install new part heads Aluminum roller rockers 437 HP 507 Lb-Ft

[@Whosurdaddy71]

More BBF dyno tests. Especially all stock budget turbo

[@shitbox7413]

Richard these videos are awesome but I wish they were a little longer, I’d like to see more of the cylinder head work and such...

[@caratcranker5874]

Totally agree. Is it possible that a 460 with the right work, can go head to head with a strong 454?

[@coyote5.02]

Carat Cranker all day.

[@zacatecano1986]

@@caratcranker5874 460 can take the 454 . Who ever builds better will be stronger

[@NdiazTRD]

Restoring my 79 Ford which came factory with 351/400M. Removed all the SMOG Crap... installed edelbrock top end kit with full MSD /minus aluminum heads. She came to life... next mod is early model 460!

[@cammontreuil7509]

351M/400.

[@70gambit]

I wonder how cobra jet heads would fair with the cam vs non cj and porting?

[@eddiehennig7835]

Thanks for the vid Richard! Have you ever dynoed Ford heads modified for high-port exhaust plates?

[@cammontreuil7509]

He doesn't go that far.

[@EarthsMysterieswithKenKay]

ford 460, should the flexplate weight be facing the 12 o'clock position ? or be facing 180 degs the other way in the 6 o'clock position? in relation to the hatchet weight in the front. please help me, thanks

[@konbromotors1006]

I need opinions on putting a 460 in a 96 caprice

[@jesseduke694]

You can still run a stock converter with that cam

[@mcjams66]

Get past some small exhaust port issues and what's not to love about the Ford 385 series engines?

[@johnnymula2305]

Glad i found this video. I have a 67 Cougar S Code (390 GT) that im building. This is the exact power increase i was looking to accomplish. Is there a video link of what was done with the heads?

[@cammontreuil7509]

You can find plenty of videos on that engine. Better off keeping it stock.

[@johnnymula2305]

@@cammontreuil7509 stock is to mild for me. A simple low profile cam, intake, heads, and exhaust headers will improve the engines performance while keeping it factory reliable.

[@cammontreuil7509]

@@johnnymula2305 a cougar is one of my favorite cars. I had one in 1976 when I was in highschool. The 390 is a great engine, though low powered compared to other performance engines of the same year. You know these things and it's understandable why you want to upgrade the engine. In reality, the 390 stock engine in your car is nothing special. At least Ford should have installed an aluminum intake from the factory. That would have been a great improvement. The exhaust manifolds are mediocre at best. Better than those terrible truck manifolds. To keep the value of your car, I would keep the original engine intact. Numbers matching. And don't loose the engine identification tag located on the coil bolt location. A pity if that is lost. Just buy another block and buy another set of heads to up grade. There are still plenty of parts out there. And you want to upgrade to adjustable roller rockers. The stock rocker set up is not that great. Take into consideration after you have had head work done, if the shop doesn't take care to set the valve height head shaved seat cut ratio, you may have to set lifter preload with different lenght push rods. Out of all the Ford engines, the FE is the most difficult for a novice. Dropping in the crank and assembly of the rear main cap and you see what I mean. Putting headers on is some work. So is changing spark plugs on the drivers side, especially number 7. When you get the engine back in, use platinum plugs, they last along time. What ever you do, we all support you. Ford's Forever.

[@johnnymula2305]

@@cammontreuil7509 I have a set of stainless JBA long tube headers. They were an extremely tight fit to say the least. I needed a mini starter to replace the stock unit. Also have to lose the factory power steering. I’ll be going coil over and rack and pinion. I have the elelbrock performer rpm intake and 650 Holley carb. Im new with the FE family of engines. Had a few 335 series and a few Windsors. This is my first FE. Ive done a ton of research. In forums, books, and videos. All the upgrades im doing to the car will be bolt on. With the capability of going back to stock. I, myself wont go stock. Or ever sell the car. But my son will inherit it. So I’ll keep all the parts for him. The Cougars are finally getting the recognition and values they deserve.

[@25aspooner]

What cam did y’all actually use? I’m currently running the XE256H in a 466 bbf.

[@soulwagon1251]

Comp cam XE262H

[@GorillaCookies]

Getting over 500 hp out of a 68-71 460 is as easy as buttering bread. I have a 460 swapped 69 ford f100 2 wheel drive pick up that's down right wicked.

[@mad2fan]

hi Richard do you have an email for mpg they only seem to have a snake mail address

[@skipstein744]

I have a 1997 F350 with a 460 efi engine. Is the full injected 460 a good engine?

[@maynardreed4036]

They do pretty good just not a high rpm engine and a little hard on gas.

[@codyparker679]

Intake sucks but basically the same as the older ones

[@jimmiller4667]

The fi engines have different heads and intake. Don't flow as well as carb'd heads.

[@RetroCOBRA]

Starting to think that my B303 cam with 1.7 rockers are too much for my 302W lol my lift is at .510 SMH

[@nonyayet1379]

what combination would work on a 429? I have a 72 429 (thunderjet) 4v intake (44,000 original miles), a set of 68/69 DOVE heads, larger valves, fluid filled harmonic balancer. what cam/intake/carb/lifters/rockers/springs do i need to get close to 500hp and be perfectly derivable? or am i better off finding a 460 crank? guidance requested. ( have been considering an updated quadra jet)

[@jimmiller4667]

non yayet get a 460 crank/Pistons, everything you do to a 429 will work better with more cubes.

[@jhutch1470]

non yayet. The ford "385" series engine was called that because both of them have a 3.85 stroke crank in them. A 460 crank would be the same. To gain power you will need bore and a top end.

[@nonyayet1379]

@@jimmiller4667 thank you for that

[@nonyayet1379]

@@jhutch1470 okay, thank you. we learn new things every day! I'm not so sure i want to increase cubes. just a personal preference, maybe a bit to do with ol school nostalgia.

[@jimmiller4667]

J Hutch what are you talking about? A 429 is 4.36x3.59 and a 460 is 4.36x3.85. The pin height is different from a 429 and 460 and the stroke is different, the rods are the same length. The "other" Lima engine is the 370 in medium duty trucks which has the 429 crank of 3.59 but only a 4.05 bore.

[@tyler.diesel]

What would you think a 385 series 460 with following mods would make? .060 over flat top Keith black forged pistons D3ve heads Performer intake 750 edelbrock Factory rods and crank Long tube headers Edelbrock flat tapper cam (dont remember the specs unfortunately) Msd distributor, 6al, and blaster 3 Arp main studs Std volume melling pump Edelbrock mechanical fuel pump All a complete build I plan on firing up and breaking in when I get my wiring bug figured out.

[@tyler.diesel]

@Eddie Yochim that's my Hope before the spray

[@tyler.diesel]

Vid of it running after working out the wiring bugs on my IG: trucktechlyfe

[@tyler.diesel]

@Eddie Yochim mine is a sleeper for sure Named her "Furd" rusty beat up f100 lol

[@tyler.diesel]

@Eddie Yochim I agree 1000% I would love to beat this local guy that talks shit in his hellcat that has some work done to it but he dont turn wrenches only pays others to do it. Would love to kick his ass in my home built truck that I have around 2k into the entire thing so far. Only shop to do anything with my truck was machine shop on the heads and block that's it

[@danielhamm1062]

Will that build hold to a supercharger add on?

[@albertgaspar627]

Sure would, the 460 is just a bigger 351 Cleveland. But that 10:1 CR is going to need 100 octane under boost conditions.

[@brianfrancis2862]

im try build fe 360 it .030

[@reedstemen]

Slow down on the editing, the slides are useless to look at when they flash by.

[@StreetTruckinTitan]

pause is your friend

[@williamshortt6950]

I have 390 big block 69

[@bobkonradi1027]

I don't understand why Holdener is saying 557 cubes are the outside limit of displacement for a 460. Roush, Kaase and others have gone out to 600 cid with blocks on 4.9 centers.

[@lowrangeinnovascotia2930]

Richard was talking factory block. You need an aftermarket block to go 600. (its in the catalog)

[@rickkowalske4116]

I don't believe there ever was a 2 bbl.460.some 429 had them but majority of 429 were 4bbl

[@matthewq4b]

You are correct there was never a 2bbl 460.

[@kelvinhill9874]

Rick, yes you’re right. Ford never made a 2 barrel 460. Some early 429’s used in Fords and Mercury’s came in 2V form, but they are few and far between.

[@rickkowalske4116]

@@kelvinhill9874 yes they were much rarer than a 4bbl.gas mileage wasn't that different either.my 69 thunderjet was about 7 miles per gallon premium fuel

[@matthewq4b]

@@kelvinhill9874 Not really few and far between the 320HP 2 BBL 429 was the base big block engine in the full-size Ford and Mercurys in 69-71, the production numbers of 2BBL 429's in non-perfomance models (Mustang Cougar T Bird, Mauraduer etc) Is actually higher than 4BBL's for each year. They were not what you would call few and far between.

[@hishok3332]

Wrong a 1978 Lincoln Town car came with a 2 barreled 460

[@projectmayhembronco5457]

In '68 wouldn't that have been a 429 from factory? I didn't think the 460 was used until '70? I don't know a whole lot about the 385's history so I could be remembering wrong.

[@danielanderson2030]

You know. I gave all those guys flack for calling then bbf. But. Now i understand the frustration. WHICH ENGINE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. Yes i know he finally said 460 but man was that a frustrating intro.

[@gurneyforpresident2836]

BBF all day!

[@kblackav8or]

I don't think Ford ever made a 2v version of the 460. The 429 yes. 460 no.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

all the truck 460s are 2 barrel

[@kblackav8or]

@@TheRoadhammer379 Never seen a 2bbl 460. 429's yes but 460s no. They didn't put 460s in medium duties either. 370s and 429s.

[@bobhilly546312156332]

My efi 460 has over 400,000

[@alexismandujano2309]

How do you feel about the fuel injected 460s? Late to mid 90s?

[@piercer2]

I had a 1996 460 (stock) on a long bed extended cab truck. It wasn’t fast but the engine was very strong and reliable.

[@d0peshow]

Looks like the guy from Pinks. Is it him or a lookalike?

[@qball1of1]

Different person

[@bjr2379]

That's a 385 series Ford. Big and small block is GM terminology. Nice low buck build, but you should include a sound clip.

[@piercer2]

Just as well as any big block. There’s no difference between anyone of them if your combo is intentional to application, and it’s put together correctly

[@oregonhumble3291]

My 410 v puts out that on leaded gas lol I keep asking you to look at my stock 410 4 v maurader 335 hp and 496 tq. And I don't have to mention the big 3 lying about #$ it's a 7,000 lbs car four doors and has 9 inch rear c3 trans merc o mastic all 💯 original glass rims seats true gem. 1967 mecury parklane brougham breezeway. I call her breezy

[@cammontreuil7509]

Great engine. I wish there was more of them around.

[@Joebauers2505]

theres no sound

[@erandy0240]

I believe 1969 was the first year 460 not 68. I have a 69 and have a similar build but w the thumpr cam. wonder what difference that would make...

[@matthewq4b]

1968 was the first year of the 460, used in the Lincoln Continental. It replaced the MEL 462 mid year.

[@kelvinhill9874]

The 460 debuted part way through the 68 model year Lincoln Continental. The 69 Mark III also came out in early 68 with the 460. The early ones of those are sometimes referred to as 68 1/2 Mark III’s.

[@erandy0240]

ok thanks for the info. your right I just looked at mine and the heads say C8VE

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

@@erandy0240 C8 = 68! good heads, do some portin and get ez power!

[@erandy0240]

yes they are ported. I opened the exhaust and cleaned the intake bowls. it's a numbers matching C8 motor so its a good one

[@davewilson4921]

Man put some cam in that thing.

[@barrykennedy9947]

baby cam.

[@burnrubber3361]

Great cam for 100 hp...Low cost mods. Great street car! Great for the average guy on a budget!!Perfect.. We have all seen dozens of Dream Engines>>.That MOST OF CAN NOT AFFORD..

[@sean5comet]

@@burnrubber3361 A bigger cam costs just as much as a little cam as long as it's not too big requiring more supporting mods than they already did in the mild combo.

[@burnrubber3361]

Right on port nut!.. I agree with YOU..I was not the one call for bigger cam..

[@JimTMcDaniels1]

LESS POWER UNDER 3,000 RPMS! That's were most drive their street vehicles! KEEP IT STOCK!

[@rickdemorgan8951]

Low compression pistons

[@bjr2379]

460's were all 4v. 429's were 2v.

[@bjr2379]

@Miguel Jackson 4V means 4 venturies, or 4 "barrels" in the carburetor, and not 4 valves. Educate yourself before running your mouth. www.ecklers.com/air-cleaner-decal-460-4v-mercury-60-47813-1.html

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Actually, 72-74 Grand Marquis had 2 barrel carb, rather rare though. Think before you go douchebag mode on others. It's as simple as a Google search, big mouth.

[@bjr2379]

@@TheRoadhammer379 Thanks for the information. I should remember Google things before going into douchebag mode. After all, if you read it on the internet it must be true. Thanks again. 👍

[@cammontreuil7509]

No. Most 429 are 4 v.

[@bigblockford3059]

That y I start a mean 513 six years ago. Bout to rip off that bandade and finish the combo and stuff it in my 07 v6 mustang. With a set off high flow hush pack duals and a C6 w/ underdriveoverdrive w/ custom shafys and Currie street9FORD. just worried about the wife ripping my head off for the 12 grand im bout to drop on it.🤪

[@unclesquirrel6951]

Personally I blame squirrels

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

The 460 in my f-250 is a hoss, don't stand in it's way.

[@etackhelicopter]

I didn't learn anything. What I watched: "Junkyard ford, new carb, new headers, bag of unspecified new parts 365hp. Same engine, cam swap, bunch of other shit I didn't talk about, WOW extra 100hp, somewhere unknown in the RPM range, hope you can pause video and decypher dyno charts. How much did all this costs, who cares, sponsors make it rain! Well this was awesome sounding overexcited through a whole video, this has been some guy you never seen before, or want to see again, thanks comp cams!".

[@travislivengood2744]

That know nothing presenter knows more about most engines than you would care to admit. Richard might look like a white Billy Blank, but he's a smart dude willing to put in the time to grow some knowledge

[@cammontreuil7509]

Comp pusher.

[@westonharby165]

Why does everyone shit on BB fords? Only American V8 to run the 24hrs of Le Mans.

[@jesse75]

Wish he'd use something other than comp crap.

[@spotliterrr]

This was not a 460. It was a 429.. and what you probably don’t know is, the 429 is timed 12 degrees more advanced than the 460, due to emissions requirements. Hope you timed the cam correctly.

[@59vaughn]

Not even 1 hp per ci......nah.....you should do better...and torque was good...and only a little ....sad....

[@cammontreuil7509]

How to improve performance on a big block Ford ? Don't use comp cams. Obviously this guy is pushing comp. Let's do some real testing. Let's see a real cam comparison. Till then. Prove you aren't biased and getting paid under the table by Comp.

[@lowrangeinnovascotia2930]

Do you even know who richard is??? Look at any dyno test from the 80's or 90's in hotrod, carcraft, pop hot rod, etc, etc. He has a SHIT TON of engine building and dyno experience. Comp asked HIM to do the video, not the other way round. Check out his own channel, massive amount of info and dyno runs on everything!

[@cammontreuil7509]

@@lowrangeinnovascotia2930 Rich is a good guy. But your statement proves my point. Look online at all the problems people have with comp. And it's not all installation problems which comp likes to blame people on.

[@AndieBlack13]

The flailing of the hands & arms by the presenter is so damn distracting as to make the video unwatchable. Have this particular individual trained in the art of public speaking...as it stands, he looks like a bad "motivational speaker".

[@cammontreuil7509]

Selling Comp of course.