22nd Jul 2018, 03:55
The FE 385 Series engines were very reliable, with relatively few bottom-end issues.
I had a friend who bought 460 from a junkyard out of a late-1973 LTD that had 53,000 miles on it.
For insurance, we replaced the timing chain and oil pump/pickup screen.
For fun, we installed a Holley 750-CFM 4-Barrel, Edelbrock Performer, and 2/1/4 inch exhaust.
It was transplanted into a rusty 1973 2-door Gran Torino to replace a 351-2V Cleveland that was smoking quite a bit at idle, and was losing oil pressure, with audibly loose connecting rod bearings.
The 351 was very energetic from 3000-5500 RPM after adding a Holley 600-CFM 4-Barrel, Edelbrock Performer, and 2-inch dual exhaust. Below 3000 RPM, they were slow.
The 460 was a VAST improvement in that it had an excellent powerband from idle to 5000 RPM.
The problem was the cheaply-acquired 4.88 rear end (that was installed for its limited-slip capabilities) resulted in 3800 RPM highway cruises. During those cruises, the oil pressure would slowly sink from 60 PSI to 4 PSI. While it did not blow up, it became slow and smoky (Blue) over time. Should have found a 2.75 limited-slip rear.
When we bought the 460, we expressed concern over bottom-end issues to the junkyard; they advised the FE-335 (351-400 Cleveland/Modified) engines were the main source of concern, with the 400 with its longer stroke being a much bigger problem, with the 429/460s being solid citizens in that regard.
Long story short - 460s are preferable to 400s in this heavily-loaded application.
15th Jul 2018, 03:14
Interesting comment on the Cadillac 368-500 engines.
Generally speaking, these are solid engines, but I've seen a few run into trouble when the oil pump became worn; during an oil change the oil pump would lose its prime, and not be able to generate oil pressure upon startup. The workaround was to take the oil pump cover off, and pack the gears in Vaseline or some other grease to get the pump that prime. Otherwise, the engine could not produce oil pressure when you restated it, and if you did not shut it off, it would self-destruct. Some folks do not look at oil lights after an oil change ;)