A good friend of mine called yesterday he has a friend that took a 1978 speed boat cut it in half and made a bar out of it. He said I could have the motor if I want, 1978 Ford 460 Panther motor, supposed to be higher compression. My question is does anybody know or heard anything about these motors that were made for Boats??? The question is coming out of Left field just looking for information before I get too involved!! Thanks Glen
Does it come with the pontoon option?
No PONTOON option!! My 460 has 60,000 miles on it and has oil coming out the exhaust, needs valve work. By the time you remove both heads, makes you think about the rest of the motor?? Sooooo, just thinking about rebuilding another one, block, pistons, cam, etc. and then putting my intake, carb, headers and so on from there... I heard boat motors were heavy duty, thicker cylinder walls compared to vehicle motors, built for torque, low end power.
and CCW rotation?
The marine engines usually come with better valve train, springs, spring cups. They should also have the football rod bolts on the heavier duty truck rods. Pistons could also be forged TRW's. The block is standard Ford (D3VE)but more than likely has brass freeze plugs.
Thanks for the response rmk57, I plan on visiting the motor on Monday, thought about rebuilding my existing 460, I have never truly been satisfied with the way it runs, but maybe the thought of driving this one while I put together a more powerful one seems like more FUN, more to follow !!!
Found out that the speed boat partially sank at the dock during a storm and water got into the motor, think I will pass on this one and keep my eyes open for another candidate...
Running, stockish 460s are in big demand for old pickup replacements. Whenever I visit wrecking yards and ask about 460s and C6s, they laugh. They fall off their stools if I mention FEs. Snagging an older RV as a 460 donor is the most likely around here. But then you have to drag it home and later dispose of the carcass.
link to eBay 460. The seller is French Lake. I have bought from them and would again.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/147109645330?fits=Make%3AFord&_skw=460+ford+engine&itmmeta=01KJRXXNWFM5G204AASGK8KBQF&hash=item22406b0c12%3Ag%3AmNcAAeSwdP5pcq9k&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA0GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xBIvFgASai5DEhyfidhzf17RwAWVbcIaeSsmMuWD28dbp95ntBaoEVNvrYDstXABTh%2BdH6ifxZEF8Ou4fEfgudIIP2lFECck2EzL%2F8miARt4rtIesLSZZAbywDiMafrdDBp3XTQQlYZXT2raNwGLESTdITvQEROiK82SNn9QL0mQabAjLP88NbHcidgSthNK7uhlVluip83oB9RpYa08FwFOrzcsP%2BlbAH9mWEIjlIfEmNkKzezxd1iKKZwSOW81N4%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_Te9p2WZw&LH_ItemCondition=4
link to Marketplace 460... https://www.facebook.com/share/1a4srrufUe/
This is half decent deal on an early 460. D0VE heads, so high compression motor. Nice thing is its complete with all the brackets and pulleys.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/652241400361148/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A7af98e3a-c55e-422a-9af1-360f65fdb071&__tn__=!%3AD