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What Are The Best 460 Rebuild Kits?
We have listed below our favorite rebuild kits for the 7.5 L 460. Some of the kits will only be good for certain model years of trucks or cars, so check your manufacturer’s specifications to ensure the correct fit.
Enginetech 460 Rebuild Kit (1979-1985 Ford Truck/Van)
This kit has all the necessary parts to become a master in your rebuild project. The parts include everything from the valve stem seals to pistons and rings to the main bearings. The kit meets all technical IOS, TS, and QS standards. The company makes multiple-size pistons and rings from STD to 030, 040, and 060. The main rod bearings also come in different sizes, from the STD to the 040.
Enginetech is a Texas-based company with manufacturing in Brazil that started on the scene in 1982. They have been manufacturing pistons (did Chevy big-block and small-block in the early days), but they’ve expanded the product line over the years. The headquarters are in Carrollton, and they have distribution sites scattered nationwide. The company has a 5-star rating on Amazon, but many positive reviews from some major players on their website.
Specifications
Pros:
- American company
- Online Presence
- Good reputation for quality build
- Return Policy on undamaged parts
Cons:
- Returned parts need to be in original packaging.
For more information on the Enginetech Rebuild Kit, see the manufacturer’s website.
For pricing, see the Amazon website.
Clegg Automotive Ford V-8 460-7.5L Standard Engine Rebuild Kit, 1968-1985
The 7.5 L engine wasn’t just used for trucks. It was also used for various big-block V8 applications for cars like the Galaxie, the LTD, and Continental Mark III, where it first appeared in 1968. The Clegg company has been in the business for years. They are based out of Orem, Utah, and even though they are a small outfit, everything the company puts out is worth the money.
One particular item to note is that you can customize your rebuild kit, rather than buying those parts separately. Need a valve set to go with the engine kit? Or some rocker arms, or push rods, just click the button, and the computer adds the right ones to the order. Prices are marked, and while their website isn’t flashy, it is easy to use.
Specifications
Pros:
- American company
- Very Good reputation on restoration forums
- Customer Service is exceptional, with willing-to-please staff
- Return Policy on undamaged parts
Cons:
- A tad more expensive than China parts
For more information regarding the Clegg Automotive Rebuild Kit, see the manufacturer’s website.
Automotive Precision Machinery Ford 7.5 460 V8 (1972 - 78)
This little machine shop near Atlanta, Georgia, makes some of the best rebuild kits on the market and runs a rebuild shop on the premises. The kits are sold online and include most of the parts that you will need. (Intake gaskets are not included). Their parts are all brand new and stock replacements that will fit the OEM parts. While the one we are reviewing is for 72 - 78 cars (and ‘73 - ‘78 trucks), there are other kits for trucks and earlier models, should you need them. The company has a website that isn’t easy to navigate, but then most restorers aren’t fooled by flashy images and blog posts. (Still, in today’s market, most businesses need to upgrade their digital presence).
Specifications
Pros:
- Small Shop with Big Presence
- Rebuild shop connected with the parts
- Ships anywhere
Cons:
- Return Policy requires Return number.
For more information regarding the APM Rebuild Kits, see the manufacturer’s website
Stage One High-Performance Master Engine Rebuild Kit
Enginetech scores again with an engine rebuild kit for the 1968 - 78 passenger cars that used the 7.5 460 cubic inch motor. The kit includes all the engine parts you will need; oil pumps, pistons, gaskets, and bearings, and is designed to make short work of a rebuild. The Texas-based company had several distribution sites across the country (eight), so shipping a part is never a problem.
Most restorers can get their order the next day. Enginetech is a big player on the rebuild circuit, and there is a reason why. They provide some of the most complete rebuild kits on the market.
Specifications
Pros:
- Lots of Rebuild Kits
- Distribution sites all over the country
- Decent return policy
Cons:
- None To Mention
For more information regarding the Enginetech Rebuild Kits, see the manufacturer’s website.
For pricing information and ordering, see the Amazon website.
Ford 1985 Ford F-250 7.5L Engine Master Rebuild Kit
This kit is offered by Ford through PER (Pro-Engine Rebuilders), but it is made by Motorcraft.
The master kit holds everything that a regular rebuild kit would, but it also has the camshaft and filters. While PER has almost any engine rebuild kit you could ask for, they only stock back to 1985, and do not offer anything earlier. The best thing about them is that they offer a 12-month/12,000-mile limited warranty against defects which can only be made by the original purchaser.
Specifications
Pros:
- Lots of Rebuild Kits
- Distribution sites all over the country
- Decent return policy
Cons:
- None To Mention
For more information regarding the Enginetech Rebuild Kits, see the manufacturer’s warranty.
When Did Ford First Use the 7.5 L Engine?
The 429 cu in and 460 cu in have their roots in the 385 cubic inch engines that Ford was producing in the late sixties. Dubbed the “Lima” engine (known for the plant in Lima, Ohio), the new motor replaced most of the FE motor line. Little did the engineers know, but they were on to something big, as the 460 would be a part of the Ford lineup for the next 25 years.
Buoyed by the incredible sales of the Mustang, which had been unveiled a few years prior, Ford looked for a way to give their cars and trucks more power. At the time, muscle cars were the rage. A younger generation of buyers was returning from overseas armed with service pay and cash, and these GIs felt the need for speed.
The first sedan to take the new Lima engines was the 1968 Lincoln Mark III. Since owners of the heavy luxury sedan expected high performance from their V8s, it seemed the best place to start. The reasoning was that if the new motor could power smooth acceleration and power to the weightiest sedan in the line, it was more than enough to energize other lighter models down the road. The 7.5L offered a whopping 365 HP and delivered 485 lb-ft of torque, more than the 390 FE produced by a considerable margin.
Despite its initial success, it was almost four years before the engine saw universal acceptance in sedans and trucks. Mercury was the first to put it into their sedans and sports coupes (Comet and Cougar) in 1972, and Ford followed suit almost a year later, offering the engine as an option for the full-size sedans and trucks.
The 460 was the largest big block Ford offered until 1978, when the decision was made to pull the engine from the Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury model lineups. Ford was under intense pressure at the time to demonstrate that it was listening to customers turning to imports and more fuel-efficient four-cylinders. The American automakers scrambled to offer more efficient engines, which meant the death knoll for gas-guzzling V8s.
Trucks continued to carry the motor as their powerhouse engine, where the demand for more torque, pulling power, and payload was most prevalent. The 7.5 L became part of the F250 and F350 trucks until 1997, when Ford introduced the first generation of their Super Duty lineup.
While the engine might have had a great run, the fact that Ford stopped making it didn’t deter hotrodders and rebuilders from making it a favorite. Due to the plethora of engines made over the 25 years, plenty of engines and parts are available. In addition, due to the cast iron block, the engine was sturdy enough to handle the stress of competitive racing.
Today, purveyors still make crated 460 engines that are available for purchase. While the 460 might not be as famous as its 429 sibling that gained notice in the Mustang, it was still a solid big-block engine that was an essential part of Ford’s history.
