So I bought the 1970 Ford Ranchero, now I'm trying to decide what engine to put in it. The original engine is in pretty rough shape, so chances are I will start with a brand new block. I've got it down to either the BOSS 351, or the 460.
I'm planning on running aluminum cylinder heads, and want the engine to run on 91 octane gas. I will likely be running EFI as opposed to a carburetor, and am not too worried about fuel efficiency (as long as I can keep it above 10 MPG on the highway I'll be happy, it definitely won't be a daily driver). As for horse power I'm hoping to get somewhere in the 600-700 range, and would like to be able to get the engine to scream a little (~6, 500 RPM). The added weight of a BB engine shouldn't be too much of a problem as I'll be adding aftermarket suspension, and brakes. So what do you guys think? 460?
Its nice to dream, but unless you're using $100 bills for toilet paper, building from a brand new block is going to be cost prohibitive. Unless its got a total dog of an engine under the hood, you should pull it out, tear it down and see where you're at. Might have a diamond in the rough.
@ Valkyrie5.7 - My budget is $12K for the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, and other mechanicals. If I do most of the work myself (except of course machining the block), I should be able to build a 460 for under budget, don't you think?
@ vinniekq2 - I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at? Are you saying that wouldn't be viable?
Let me as you a question. Realistically what are you going to do with this car? Are you going to drive it on the roads? Or are you going to race it? How did you pick 700 hp for your goal? 700 hp is expencive in any engine. 450 hp ain't to bad price wise. If your looking for the wow factor, which makes your testicles bigger? Hey wotchua running? Oh I got a 351 or yeah I got a built 460. Both will get the job done. A standard transmission will make either engine more of a rocket ship than a automatic. I'd spend my money first to make the car handle and stop. Then I'd build a engine with as many HP that my budget could afford. If it were me I'd go with a big block any day. That way I'd have to wear my big jock strap. Just my opinion.
BB
@ BB - Well, I wouldn't be planning on putting that much into the engine if I wasn't planning on racing it at least a little, hehe. I'm actually planning on making the swap from the automatic to a manual transmission, the manual I'm looking at (T-56 Magnum) is rated for 700 ft-lbs of torque, so I'd like to keep torque below 675 ft-lbs, I'd definitely be happy with anything over 600 HP as far as power goes. You're definitely right though, I should put the money into the suspension, brakes, transmission, clutch, and all that stuff first and see what I have left over. Thanks for helping me get my priorities straight.
For a 'pump gas" engine, torque is "king". To make anywhere NEAR the power you're talking about, 500 CID, minimum without an "adder" (blower, nitrous, etc.). Cleveland is capable, but not at a level of tune remotely "user friendly".
Get a worn out 460 (standard bore) and "storke" it by offset-grindng the rod journals to a 4.14" stroke using BBC rod journals. Icon has a piston just for this application, using the 6.8" rod. No problem to get 650-700 from that with good heads.
If power is your main goal, and not economy, disregard the EFI idea. Carbs make more power, especially on larger CID engines. EFI is more efficient.
Another alternative I was thinking of was a 460 running on propane, I live in Canada so propane is readily available and it costs nearly half what premium gas costs (91 octane). I could easily increase the volume of the engine to offset the loss of power since propane engines generally produce about 20% less power than the same engine on gasoline. I could potentially build an engine that both has lots of power and doesn't cost too too much to fuel up. Any thoughts?
I live in the north west, I move between Fort St John (BC) and Edmonton (AB). Both places have auto propane, as do Grande Prairie and Whitecourt (the two main stops on the drive. Why do you suggest a turbo?
Propane can handle high compression or a lot of boost. New turbo technology allows very high horse power streetable engines.Just south of you in Ashcroft there is /was a 10.90s 454 chevelle on the street. twin turbo,dual mixer set up,good manners.I heard the fella was stepping up the power and swapping into an Opal for a 9 second car. you could have your 600 hp big block with turbo and propane.
A turbo would add a fair amount of cost to the system, right? Do you think I'd be able to reach 600 HP with enough boost on the 351 with propane? If I'm going to have to add a turbo to the budget it would be nice to save some green on the block if possible. IIRC the maximum displacement on the Cleveland is 421 cid.
2 horse power per cubic inch for a turbo engine is very easy to get. ANY engine making that kind of power needs premium quality parts if you want it to last..contact the user here,,,spinn,, or something like that.He is a master of making dirt cheap blower engines with moderate power.I always go over budget when I build because I try to use good parts and spend a lot on quality machine work.
spinn buys used items and does his own porting and I believe some fabricating,,, The lower the costs the more time you will need to source the deals on good generic or used parts
So, I shouldn't even have to bore it out at all, you're saying I could probably get 700 HP just with the boost and adding stronger parts, aluminum heads, etc. I probably wouldn't want to bore it anyways if I'm taking the compression rating up. Most propane run at about 17:1, don't they?
Someone told me you can't run a propane set-up with EFI, is that true do you know?
first,a 700 horse power engine is not just bolt on a turbo and a few parts.
second,700 hp will tear up a stock car and drive train.
Old bogie will be here shortly with 6 or 7 paragraphs to get you started,,,your 12k will be used up and then some ,by the engine,,,it can be done,just not cheap.If you were closer to Vancouver I would take you for a blast in my car,,,if you come down here let me know.
Oh, I know, I wasn't planning on just dumping it in there and seeing what happened, lol. You need strong quality parts, quality machining, and a good tune. Not to mention a good intercooler, upgraded fuel, oil, intake, and exhaust systems.
I already plan on replacing all the suspension equipment, the transmission, differential, and brakes.
Would it be better to do it with the original 351, or get a 460 for the engine? Since they'll both be able to reach my goal.
Also, my goal is only around 650 HP, not sure if that makes a huge difference, heh.
why not start with the rest of the car first?suspension/tires/brakes, first.decide what transmission is best suited for you. Plan ahead for a big exhaust system. decide what fuel you are using,if propane,where its going.what the cars purpose is going to be? add the power later.
I clearly got a little carried away. The two biggest projects ahead of me right now are the transmission and brakes. I want to take it from a 3-speed automatic to a 6-speed manual. Then it has all drum brakes, I'd at least like to convert the front brakes to disks, but if I'm going to have that much power I should convert the rear too.
before you convert the brakes to disc,think about your wheels and make sure they fit over the calipers.Make sure you absolutely love that exact car you own.To convert the brakes,first? do you want to upgrade to better after market with bigger discs or use factory stock ?and dont be surprised if it costs you $4500.oo to convert to a 6 speed. 3k or more for after market brakes,3k for wheels and tires.
and,,,its not the brakes that stop your car,its the tires.
if you pm me I can phone you,its not long distance.
You know, all this speculation about what motor or tranny is a waste of time. Considering where you live have you checked out whether the car can be licensed and insured in either province. Both Alberta and BC have strict regulations for licensing an out of province vehicle. If you don't have in your pocession the previous regy then both provinces treat the new regy as being an out of province one. THen you need to jump thru a bunch more hoops. Lots of stuff to get done way before you put a different motor or tranny in it. You need brakes and braking system 100%. Windshield perfect. Side windows working. Tires at least 90%. Shocks, steering, exhaust etc etc. The list goes on and on. Almost like regy for a new car.
I went thru the whole process on a 64 Fury when I lived in Rocky Mountain House. Had to go thru the whole car to make it 100% roadworthy before I could do any mods to it. The 64 hadn't been registered for 10 years so was treated as an out of province inspection.
Check it out first before you start dreamin' about big motors, trannies etc.
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