Motor for a 1450

[sandbum01]

I want to build a motor to put in a 1450 truck. Is it better to go with a big block like a 460 to get the extra power or a small block 351 for the wieght? I will be building either motor with a stroker kit new heads manifolds the works.

[philofab]

460 engines are heavy. Build a 408w or LSx motor.

[creynolds]

Agreed on the 408. That's what we're running in our Ranger and we couldn't be happier. It's around 550HP and is extremely torquey (sp?). Any more power or torque and I honestly think it would too much for a small truck. As it sits now, you really have to drive this thing and stay on top of it. Definitey requires a lot of foot action to keep it going straight.

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo342/creynolds/Cadestruck1.jpg

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo342/creynolds/Rangerpainted4.jpg

[Alex Paterson]

Thats a good lookin Ranger

Alex

[sandbum01]

yeah thats a nice truck any ideas on where to get started. What kind of cost am I looking at. I would like to assemble the motor myself, just don't know what parts work right with each other good combinations?

[creynolds]

It all depends on what your looking to get out of it. Do you want to run pump gas or are you willing buy race fuel? We're running a Demon 830 carb with removable sleeves, compression is around 11.5:1, Keith Black pistons, pretty mild cam, R/R, etc, etc. What kind of power are you shooting for? We're running the 408 with a Culhane Turbo 400.

[Laurie]

5.0 fuel injected motor!

[John F2000]

It all depends on what your looking to get out of it. Do you want to run pump gas or are you willing buy race fuel? We're running a Demon 830 carb with removable sleeves, compression is around 11.5:1, Keith Black pistons, pretty mild cam, R/R, etc, etc. What kind of power are you shooting for? We're running the 408 with a Culhane Turbo 400.


I agree with creynolds. If you want to run pump gas go bigger displacement. If you dont mind the fuel cost, availability, and are able to spend a few bucks extra in the motor use a small block.

You can never have too much horsepower no matter if its a ranger or a full size, as long as you have the drive train to support it. A pre-runner I had 8 years ago, we chose the 460 for cost and fuel reasons. Its easy to get a reliable 450-500hp without spending alot of money. Basically an early model 460, say 1970, carb, manifold, and headers gets you around 400-450. Add a set of alum heads and your close to 500 with more torque than the sm block. If you can get a stock nod truck crank all the better. RPM's are low, dont need alot of expensive parts, and the tranny lives longer. If you throw a set of alum heads on it, your extra weight isnt going to make or break the handleing of the truck. And if you are unfortunate and grenade the motor, the rebuild cost is a lot less, since its basically a stock motor. We ran the motor described above with iron heads, culhane c6, and an old 35 spline floater 9" well over 18,000 miles with no failures.

[John F2000]

I want to build a motor to put in a 1450 truck. Is it better to go with a big block like a 460 to get the extra power or a small block 351 for the wieght? I will be building either motor with a stroker kit new heads manifolds the works.


Sorry i didnt read the end of your post. If you are going to build a 514 stroker then you are spending some money on the motor, That is a great motor. It is an easy 600+ hp with enough torque to get your heart pumping. It is one of the most fun motors I have ever driven. Again a lot of hp and Tq, reliable, and on pump gas. If its a 1450 you can move the motor back slightly or axle forward?? to offset any weight difference. Dont get hung up on the weight, go for the reliability and fuel benefits, its not that much heavier.

[Steven_Tolbert]

I agree with creynolds. If you want to run pump gas go bigger displacement. If you dont mind the fuel cost, availability, and are able to spend a few bucks extra in the motor use a small block.

You can never have too much horsepower no matter if its a ranger or a full size, as long as you have the drive train to support it. A pre-runner I had 8 years ago, we chose the 460 for cost and fuel reasons. Its easy to get a reliable 450-500hp without spending alot of money. Basically an early model 460, say 1970, carb, manifold, and headers gets you around 400-450. Add a set of alum heads and your close to 500 with more torque than the sm block. If you can get a stock nod truck crank all the better. RPM's are low, dont need alot of expensive parts, and the tranny lives longer. If you throw a set of alum heads on it, your extra weight isnt going to make or break the handleing of the truck. And if you are unfortunate and grenade the motor, the rebuild cost is a lot less, since its basically a stock motor. We ran the motor described above with iron heads, culhane c6, and an old 35 spline floater 9" well over 18,000 miles with no failures.
This coming from the guy with a twin turbo 460 at what 700hp with the boost turned down and 1400hp with the boost turned up, will the F2000 even move forward with the pedal pushed all the way down with the boost all the way up or do the tires just spin?.........John your truck always amazes me.

[John F2000]

This coming from the guy with a twin turbo 460 at what 700hp with the boost turned down and 1400hp with the boost turned up, will the F2000 even move forward with the pedal pushed all the way down with the boost all the way up or do the tires just spin?.........John your truck always amazes me.

Thanks... So you have to feather the throttle a little..... but nothing like some hp when a truck hits a sand wash.

[philofab]

If you choose to run a 460, do yourself a favor and buy aftermarket heads. The stock 460 heads have a huge flow mismatch between the intake and exhaust. The 460 weights about 130# more in stock form.

[John F2000]

If you choose to run a 460, do yourself a favor and buy aftermarket heads. The stock 460 heads have a huge flow mismatch between the intake and exhaust. The 460 weights about 130# more in stock form.

I agree the alum heads are a big plus. The actual weight difference of iron versus alum heads on a 460 is approx 65 pounds.

[sandbum01]

I agree on that one I think I am set out on building a 514 stroker. I also talked to culhane the other day and he recomended a turbo 400 tranny for the truck. By the way where can you get the fiberglass on that truck. I am building a 73 and want to keep the original look but can't find any one piece fronts with the original styling.

[John F2000]

I agree on that one I think I am set out on building a 514 stroker. I also talked to culhane the other day and he recomended a turbo 400 tranny for the truck. By the way where can you get the fiberglass on that truck. I am building a 73 and want to keep the original look but can't find any one piece fronts with the original styling.

Currently we are not offering the fiberglass. We might make it avail in the future. Other than that, I am not aware of anyone with a one piece front end for an early Ford. There was a prior thread on glass for your truck you might get some info on.

Re the 514, Killer motor. And I agree with Steve go for the Turbo 400. Perfect match.