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What should I build?

dylan

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Feb 5, 2017
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spokane
So i've got a 79 f250 Ranger Lariat Camper Special edition i'm in process of restoring. has factory dana 60s front and rear 3.55 gears, 4 speed right now has a 460 in it but have the original 400. I've got some options i''m trying to figure out enginewise. I have a 460 block, the original 400 block and also a 351 windsor block. in the end i plan on having 4.10 gears, a c6 auto and whichever engine i end up building running 35 inch tires. What would you guys do? I want it to run pretty hard and if i do a windsor it will be a stroker as well. Also want to be able to run 10mpg at least haha when normally driving that is. im getting 7 with the 460 im running RN
 
Sounds like a fun project. We'd love to see some pics of course, doesn't matter the shape.

What are you using for a carb and intake, anything aftermarket or stock? Are those axles full time or do you have lock outs on the front?

My old 84 Ram had 60's front and rear, but the front was a full time unit, definitely didn't help milage. I was running a 400 and swapped the 600 Edelbrock to a 750 and gained 1mpg, getting me up to 10mpg. Gave it enough capability to breathe easier and not hard to work so hard. I literally went from cruising at half throttle to barely stepping on the pedal, the effort was noticeable.
 
has hubs up front. has no real rust just worn out

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That's a sharp truck, grew up with those still pounding the pavement as a kid, left an impression. I'd stick with th 4 sped,but that's because I have an auto in my truck and it would be cool to have a stick, until I have an old school stick that's got a nice hard pedal. My cousin had a 400 in his Bronco and it went pretty good. Don't remember the gears, want to say 3.73's but it was 20 some years ago. Parts are available for whatever route you choose, I'd think a small block could get you the power to want and be a little better on fuel than the 460, but the 460 would pull some serious stumps.
 
I would make darn sure any engine and transmission alterations will fit before spending a lot of money. For some reason Ford has always been funny about such things.
 
If you go to the Windsor the bellhousing is different from the 460 and 400. The 460 is a 385 series engine and the 400M (modified) is a Cleveland based engine that uses the 385 series bellhousing bolt pattern instead of the small block bolt pattern of the Windsor/Cleveland. I would do the 460 or a 408 Windsor stroker. I don't know if any one does any performance builds on the 400
 
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