Ford 460cid V8

[Hiro]

Hi to all,
I came accross a Ford 460 recently,
Is it worth trying to fit this huge one in my mk2A Sumo?
I have no gearbox for this BB yet,
What manual gearbox would you guys suggest?
Or should I just forget about it & focus on a Chevy SB stroker?
Thanks for your input,
Hiro

[Bigblock]

I have the Ford 460ci with a Tremec TKKO 5 speed
Pulls like a train, so easy to drive but heavy.
Loads of tuning bits from the USA

[wilf]

I don't recall ever seeing a Ford big block in a Sumo - anyone else?

For a race engine you want lightness, with added lightness. Big blocks don't score too highly on that particular parameter.

[Hiro]

Thanks Wilf & Bigblock,
Yes my mk2A will be extensively modified to accept very different powerplants,
I'm planning to move the firewall 25-30cm aft to make more room for the engine & tranny.
Weight is clearly a problem for racing but money too!
When I compare HP/$ ratios for Rover/Chevy/Dodge/Ford & SB/BB V8 it's very clear which way to go,
Another issue being finding the core engine next door or very far from my home.
Now the second problem is the gearbox,
A rational way would be to purchase a very tough one that can be mated to any kind of V8 via bellhousing adaptor plates,
Here I will probably go for NASCAR-type stuffs like Muncie/Jerico or Tremec which looks nice also.
Hiro

[wilf]

If you can live with a 4 speed box, the toploader is tough as anything else out there, will take just about any amount of torque you throw at it, and is a lot cheaper than a Jericho/Muncie etc.

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by wilf

If you can live with a 4 speed box, the toploader is tough as anything else out there, will take just about any amount of torque you throw at it, and is a lot cheaper than a Jericho/Muncie etc.

yes 4 speed is OK for the fast tracks I race on,
nice tip about the toploader,
thanks Wilf!

[wilf]

Don't forget that there are wide and close ratio versions - the latter being better for the track.

Also the input shaft diameter varies - for maximum toughness you want a "big in, big out" gearbox.

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by wilf

Don't forget that there are wide and close ratio versions - the latter being better for the track.

Also the input shaft diameter varies - for maximum toughness you want a "big in, big out" gearbox.

thanks Wilf,
these are important things that I did not know,
always good to ask first on this forum!
Hiro

[slogger]

What about the Borg Warner Super T10 boxes. A fair number of ratios available and some with alloy cases. Will need to be a short tail version.

[Hiro]

Originally Posted by slogger

What about the Borg Warner Super T10 boxes. A fair number of ratios available and some with alloy cases. Will need to be a short tail version.

yes ST10 is a good option too but difficult to find here,
T10 is easier to find but all T10 I've seen were heavy cast iron housings,
also internals needed to be fully rebuilt to restore torque capacity,
Hiro