Mild upgrades for stock '77 460

Hey new guy here. I just bought a '77 460 for a ranger project I'm working on. The engine came out of a Lincoln and I also got the C6. I was told there was only 34,000 miles on it. The engine and trans are very clean with no signs of leaks. The heads are D3VE.

My question is, what simple upgrades can I do to this engine to wake it up a little. I'm not interested in doing a complete rebuild right now. I've heard of replacing the cam, timing set, intake and carb. Can anyone suggest a cam that would make a little more power than the stocker? I'm going with an Edelbrock performer intake.

Thanks guys!

There's a whole lot of camshafts which will make more torque and horsepower than a stock one in that engine but, how is it going to get used and what is going to be incorporated into the rest of the vehicle...?

The engine and trans are going into a 91 ford ranger 2wd standard cab. This will be a street truck that might see a few 1/8 mile runs a year.

Well, not talking for Randy, but I think what he might be asking is other then this engine and trans going into your Ranger.... is whats happening with the rest of the vehicle like--- rearend setup, exhaust setup,trans setup, converter, etc.etc

Don't be shy give as much info as possible and if you're not sure just say so, we all were new to this at one time or another, no one is gonna flame on you . Alot of good guys here that will help.

By the way.. Welcome

The rear end will end up being a 9" with a locker or spool. It will have either ladder bars or a four link with coil overs. I'm not sure of what gear ratio because I'm not familiar with the C6 trans. I will have room for wide tires out back. I want this truck to run low 13's at least.

I'm new to the big block thing. I just finished a build on a 92 Ford Ranger 2wd short box. It has a '86 306 with a B303 cam and E7 heads. Went with a T-5 trans, 3.73s and limited slip. The truck also has airbag suspension. I build the four link and used a watts to keep the axle centered. Here is the link to that build http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=231919

I'm just looking for any help anyone is willing to give me on this project. As stated, I don't want to do a total rebuild right now. Just wake this engine up. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

Thanks for your service as an officer.

Wow, what a build!! You do some nice work there!!

Just putting in a pre 72 timing chain (straight up) will help a bunch, they were retarded 4* after that. A good towing cam with a Edelbrock Performer intake & Holley 750+ carb will help a bunch more. There are quite a few on here that can give you a more accurate spec on cams.

Bigblockranger has a cool build site here: http://www.bigblockranger.com/

Bill

Given the very low static c/r of 7.6 to 1 the combo will not tolerate much cam duration. Stock heads are good for about .540" lift before retainer / seal contact occurs. So...

Recurved distributor.
Aluminum intake performer or RPM / 750 carb
early timing set.
X4256H extreme energy 4x4 cam ground on a 109 lobe sep.
Headers are a given...

325 HP for the above give or take.

Budget ported heads would add 50 HP to the above mods if you get about .030" off the deck of the heads to get c/r to 8.0 to 1...


Scott J. / RHP
Aka "The Mad Porter"
http://reincarnation-automotive.com
253-988-6648

The Mad Porter wrote:Given the very low static c/r of 7.6 to 1 the combo will not tolerate much cam duration. Stock heads are good for about .540" lift before retainer / seal contact occurs. So...

Recurved distributor.
Aluminum intake performer or RPM / 750 carb
early timing set.
X4256H extreme energy 4x4 cam ground on a 109 lobe sep.
Headers are a given...

325 HP for the above give or take.

Budget ported heads would add 50 HP to the above mods...


Scott J. / RHP
Aka "The Mad Porter"
http://reincarnation-automotive.com
253-988-6648

Scotty how much more hp would 8.7 compression add with the added 50 for budget heads with the above combo.

1.5%...

I added that the budget heads would be decked .030" to get the c/r to 8 to 1. This is important.

Thanks guys for the suggestions! I'll keep you posted on the engine as I go. I plan on getting it on the stand this weekend and pulling the intake and heads.

Well I got the engine on the stand. I'm pulling it apart. Had a heck of a time getting the dist out. That intake isn't light! I'm going to need a duel sump oil pan, this one has the front sump, new timing set, new cam.

So with the engine down to the block, I'm thinking about how now would be the time to swap out the pistons and replace the bearings. Can somebody recommend pistons that will net me a 10-1 ratio? I'm new to the 460 and don't know much about it. I just thought that since I'm this close, maybe I should swap out the pistons.