Hello. Have a simple request. I've just installed a 460 intop my `72. I've looked in all my manauls for horse power rating and it says N/A. specs on all the other engines but the 460. Does anybody know what the HP & torque specs are for a stock 1978 460 non-catalyst. Just curious. Thankx

 

There are a few variables. What did the engine come out of? What options did that vehicle have? I would imagine you will need to look it up that way.

 

It came out of a F150 ranger with A/C. Reg cab/LB, 2wd automatic

 

460 CID 385 V8

1973–79

200–220 hp (150–162 kW)

 

Here are torque outputs for the next generation trucks


460 CID† 385 V8 1983–84 225 hp (168 kW) 380 lb·ft (515 N·m) 4bbl


460 CID† 385 V8 1985–86 245 hp (183 kW) 385 lb·ft (522 N·m) 4bbl

Should be pretty close since the hp is close.

 

if it helps my family had a 74 ltd wagon with a 460 4v had 180hp smog choked

 

wow, these numbers suck, i thought they made more torque than that, so a 390 makes more hp? or around the same?wtf

 

For what it's worth, I had a built 390 in my 68 F250, blew it up and put a stock 460 from a 75 Lincoln and it pulled much harder. Got the same mileage too.

 

that works for me bro! the 460 cant be that weak, those numbers gotta be wrong, a mustang 302 motor with gt40 heads would smoke a 460 otherwise and they dont

 

It all depends on what you are doing. A 460 will pull well due to torgue. What did you expect to see? A large displacement engine during the smog days. Hp does not play near as much a factor until you get into going fast. Kinda makes ya wonder what just 300hp would feel like doesn't it? I don't think almost 1 ftlb of torque per ci is all that bad considering we are talking about the heavily detuned days of the 70's. I take it you aren't old enough to remember those times. We went from 350 - 450hp to 150-250hp overnight and stayed there for at least a decade.

 

anything in the mid to late 70's had real low hp rating they detuned and choked the motors to meet the govs new laws on smog .

 

more than 380ft lbs. i dont put alot of stock in hp. torque wins races....hp sells cars, lol, im sure youve heard that quote.
I know what 300hp feels like, better yet I know what 330ft lbs feels like from a lt1 350 that my 94 z28 has..its not stock, stock is rated 285hp 325-330ftlbs depending on who you ask and it makes that torque at 2000 rpm.
Im 35 so i heard it all growing up from my dad. the 80s cars were really bad as well. i just thought a 460 would make 400ftlbs or more, rotating mass and all.

 

Generally speaking a well built engine matches hp & torque. Hp to weight ratio has plenty to do with going fast. There are other factors that change outcome as well. If hp didn't matter top fuel cars wouldn't be working so hard at getting more of it.

The point being of age was you didn't live through it. You didn't start driving until it was over. The years of beginning onboard computers, smog pumps, ultra low compression, fuel supply altered intentionally to harm earlier engines in order to get rid of older vehicles. Lady Bird Johson started it all and you still see it today. Obama's "Cash for Clunkers. Hearing about it and living it are two entirely different things.

The 460 was born at the beginning of the heavily detuned time in history. With all the restrictions put on auto manufacturers I personally believe it was built part to be "bigger" than the Chevrolet 454 & part to get more power from heavily restricted engines. After all nothing beats cubic inches!

I often wonder what we would have from both the 460 & the 454 had they started life like the Hemi.

 

my dad always told me torque gets you off the line and horsepower finishes the race .
a combination of both is what wins

 

i have seen 460s that were just slightly built in fox body mustangs (79-93) run 10s at the track. Im a big fan of boost,want more power..boost it. a boosted 460 would be deadly

heres one i saw online lol