Can I swap in a more modern engine/transmission combination to replace a 460/C-6?

Asked by Acadia_112660 May 23, 2013 at 03:11 PM about the 1977 Ford F-250

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I love the combo of the 400 HP and stump pulling torque of the 460 V-8 hooked up to a bulletproof C-6 automatic trans. but it's rapidly approaching the time once again to overhaul them both and I'm wondering if there's some modern engine\transmission combo that performs as well as the 460\C-6 but gets better than 5 MPG that I can find in a wrecked vehicle in a junkyard, overhaul, then install in my truck instead.

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Tracy answered 10 years ago

It's A LOT of work but yes you can. Actually, you can put almost any power-train in your truck if you have the means. There will be a lot of adapting to do since the more modern power-trains have computer controls for the engine and transmission. There are some aftermarket fuel injection system that'll bolt straight on to your 460 that will improve MPG and performance but, face it, if you want to pull down a mountain - you end up paying for it in gasoline. A splitter for the final drive helps a lot - the old "over-and-under" gear box will give you better highway mileage. My '87 4x4 gets 9MPG on a good day. But my Mazda Protege gets 30+. Guess what I drive daily and play with on weekends?

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