Can a 1977 Ford 460 motor fit in the astro?

[Derek939]

Ive got a 1977 F-350 Camper special with a good motor I have been considering swapping over once my v-6 goes. Anyone know if the 460 will fit? Never done an engine swap before and figured you guys here would be the best to come ask.

Thanks in advance!

Derek

[1Gary]

This link shows you the dimensions and base what you are asking off a SBC which does fit:

http://www.carnut.com/specs/fengdim.html

What about the rest of the power train then??.Trans.driveshaft,etc.Off hand I thought but am not sure that those engines are a front sump oil pan.If that is the case,no it would not fit.

I have a line on a company that builds trams adapters from almost any engine to any trans.Thing is when you start going these kinds of swaps,it is very easy to get buried in costs for the parts for the swap.

[mdmead]

Well, if a guy can put a 502 in one... then I'd say a 460 could fit.

If you are doing it to see if it can be done and/or want something different, then fine. Otherwise, I see this as a major hassle with no real gain. It would be cheaper to rebuild a 350 to the HP and torque of your 460 (which wouldn't be hard) and drop it in with readily available parts.

A 460 swap is going to be complicated, and I wouldn't want it to be my first swap. Gary mentioned the pan... that is just one consideration. Lots of others. Plus you won't have anyone to guide you or places to go for reference.

(And while I have no problem with Fords [as I own four of them], it just ain't RIGHT to put a Ford engine in a GM vehicle. [Yes, it is wrong to put a GM engine in a Ford too!])

[doyoulikeithere]

No!
460's only fit in Ford Aerostar Vans,
Not Chevy Vans, Lol......

[Kidhauler]

The only way the 502 fit was with 4 inches of body lift to open up the engine bay. The 460 is a good engine but it is hard on gas. You would struggle to get 14mpg out of it. It would go like a bat out of hell if you managed to stuff it in. I would sell the 460 and use the money towards a 350 small block swap. It is a proven swap that works well and can make as much power as the ford but will get better mileage. If you drive the 350 normally it should get the same or better mileage than the v6.

[Derek939]

I think you. Have the right dea, I'm gonna sell my f-350 and invest in a 350! Once I pick up a AWD Astro I'll start tearing my whitey apart. Thank you for
The quick responses!

[Mr_Roboto]

The width of this engine will likely be a killer. I am not as quick to discount the engine but measuring would definitely be required before I would say yes or no. The luxury of this engine is you can set it back farther due to the front distributor, which may give you some room up front. It is likely you would have to lower the engine considerably as well, but with something that heavy it wouldn't be a bad idea anyways.

We had a member in the past on the old board who swapped a 396 into their van with stock height but the ride height was stock. I've seen the van in question with the 502 as well, there was enough clearance width wise (I believe a 502 is a conventional deck) but the Ramjet intake is very tall. Don't expect to be able to run a high rise on this at all, it probably won't happen.

Overall I'd say take a ton (by ton I mean ton) of measurements, and if you can fabricate (there is a good chance you'll be making headers and you will definitely be making the mounts) It's definitely worth a shot. If you have the engine there you're likely the best judge of if this can work or not. And I definitely am inclined to think you'd end up with at least more torque using a lightly modified 460. 77 appears to only make 200hp and about 350 ft-lbs (which is within 10-20 hp/tq of a stocker TBI 350) but headers, a cam and an intake will probably turn that engine into a totally different beast. One more thing if you want to add some power to it the factory added a bunch of cam retard after 1970. If you aren't cam swapping a 1970 429 timing set and put it on there, you will likely feel like it's a whole different engine.

[Derek939]

Thanks Mr.Roboto. Good advice, i appreciate it!

[1Gary]

I once compared a 500ci Caddy engine to a BBC on that dimension link I left.Seem to make sense if we could fit a Ram Jet BBC into a Astro,then for on the cheap a torque monster Caddy would work.