Iv got a 90 cc sw 4x4 zf-5 3:54 gears and 310/75-16 on it. Rebuilt with rv towing cam, pre emission timing gears, ported heads, k&n air filter, free flowing exhaust, I get about 12 mpg daily drive. Now couple of weeks ago towed highway (york to reading PA) witch has hills in it towing a 34' inclosed total #18,000 got around 9mpg. On aside note traveled with a fried he had an 04 f250 cc sw v10 auto pulling a 28' toy hauler total #16,000 and he got the same mpg turning 4000rpm in passing gear wail I'm turning 1900rpm. I've loaded mine down one time with a 50' wedge trailer hauling vans to scrap yard total #27,000 (little heavy) and I don't think it got 1mpg used 1/4tank to go 14 miles. The 460 is a good all around engine with pros and cons. Just wish ford would have kept going with it and had newer technology in it to see we're it would be today.
A 460 vs. Towing?
- Thread starter Bierisch
- Start date
It's been so long ago, wish I could remember. I know that the keyway on the 460 cam was changed for emission's. you could buy an offset key to bring it back. Anyone remember anything about that? I was Gen. Foreman of Maint on the 460 line, 1967 to 1987. To damn old now, got CRS. 
There are a couple of mods you can do to give it a little more force, however you truly don't need to. the main thing that might constrain the truck is the c6, not that its not solid enough, yet since theirs no overdrive, its set to like the fuel..
rthomas
Registered User
The C6 will take everything you can throw at it as long as you can keep it cool. Years ago I had a 67 F250, I swapped out a 352/amx to a 460/C6 the 460 that I used was a dove motor out of a 1970 Lincoln, factory 375hp. This thing was strong as hell, stoplight to stoplight nothing could touch it, and towing it made many a (new then) OBS PSD and V10 Dodge look very bad. Mileage wasnt horrible 6-8 towing and 14-15 on the highway.
aofarrell2
Turbo Desirous
Can't speak for the C6 because I've never had one, but what I've heard is, keep it cool, keep the fluid clean, and keep that vacuum modulator or whatever it's called and they'll take alot of beating. AOD's tend to be a poorer transmission IMO.
The 460 is a awesome engine for towing. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. In my experience, towing 18,000LBS, in the hilly SE Iowa country, at 55MPH, our Ford F350 with 460 and E4OD, will get better fuel economy and tow just as good power wise as a brand new diesel (in stock form).
Gears seem to be important on the 460s, most came with 4.10s from the factory. I've got 4.56 on mine, can't complain about the lower gearing. Also, 5.10 ( I think it's 5.10) gears were available, but without overdrive you'll be screaming at 55MPH.
I get 12MPG highway no matter how hard I am on it, and 6-8MPG when towing 18K. Not bad, it's a quiet and smooth ride, and VERY comfortable.
DRW is a must for lots of towing, the duals will make your truck MUCH more stable, especially when cornering. DRW also helps control trailer sway, to some extent.
Also, if you're converting to DRW, might consider swapping for 3.5" HD rear brakes, it probably doesn't have them right now, but they're worth it. They'll stop 18K with no trouble, and combined with the RABS system they are awesome. I've since got my trailer brakes working, but I never knew it until I tested my trailer socket...
!
The 460 is a awesome engine for towing. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. In my experience, towing 18,000LBS, in the hilly SE Iowa country, at 55MPH, our Ford F350 with 460 and E4OD, will get better fuel economy and tow just as good power wise as a brand new diesel (in stock form).
Gears seem to be important on the 460s, most came with 4.10s from the factory. I've got 4.56 on mine, can't complain about the lower gearing. Also, 5.10 ( I think it's 5.10) gears were available, but without overdrive you'll be screaming at 55MPH.
I get 12MPG highway no matter how hard I am on it, and 6-8MPG when towing 18K. Not bad, it's a quiet and smooth ride, and VERY comfortable.
DRW is a must for lots of towing, the duals will make your truck MUCH more stable, especially when cornering. DRW also helps control trailer sway, to some extent.
Also, if you're converting to DRW, might consider swapping for 3.5" HD rear brakes, it probably doesn't have them right now, but they're worth it. They'll stop 18K with no trouble, and combined with the RABS system they are awesome. I've since got my trailer brakes working, but I never knew it until I tested my trailer socket...
!
C_Luft
Full Access Member
I would put a gear vendors overdrive behind the c6 and a fat transmission cooler and put synthetics in the drive train, straight pipe the exhaust and call it a day
you need a timing chain kit for the pre-'72 460 and that will wake up a '87 and up F/I 460 motor.It's been so long ago, wish I could remember. I know that the keyway on the 460 cam was changed for emission's. you could buy an offset key to bring it back. Anyone remember anything about that? I was Gen. Foreman of Maint on the 460 line, 1967 to 1987. To damn old now, got CRS.
Andertusa
Full Access Member
I wouldn't say that is too hard, my 77 Pass. '04 FreightlinerFL70/Thomas school bus caught a 2013 srw-cc Powerstroke the other day, and I only have 210 horses on that bus.
Sal
Registered User
Nope. EFI 460s have the straight up timing sets already.
aofarrell2
Turbo Desirous
I think the confusion over timing chains is the most mixed up thing about 460's...
Sal
Registered User
I agree. It sure seems too be that way.
I'll put it like this. My 61,000 mile 1991 460 has it. This one also had no cats from the factory. Pulls very nice and returns awesome mpg for a bb.
My old 1 owner 1997 f350 had it. With 38,000 miles.
Most after market 72-up sets are retarded if you don't specify straight up timing. I found this out on a refresh on a 96 block (254,000 miles)
I'll put it like this. My 61,000 mile 1991 460 has it. This one also had no cats from the factory. Pulls very nice and returns awesome mpg for a bb.
My old 1 owner 1997 f350 had it. With 38,000 miles.
Most after market 72-up sets are retarded if you don't specify straight up timing. I found this out on a refresh on a 96 block (254,000 miles)
