Discoveries - A learning experience
I have made several discoveries along the way so far on the Torino Tribute build. Some were interesting parts that were found on the "Boat" motor I purchased. Another was the 3-speed transmission that I bought from "Bob the Turkey Farmer".
Beyond learning the difference between an "FE" and a 385 Series Ford engine, I have learned a quite a bit about the 460 cubic inch engine I purchased. When Punky ran the original Torino in the 1974 season he had 427 cu. in. painted on the hood. I was recently told that just because that was painted on the hood, it didn't mean that's what was under the hood! I was 13 years old at the time and I remember helping to put together an engine back then that they said was a 428 cubic inch.
Ford's FE engines were built from 1958 to 1976 and came in several cubic inch configurations. The 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, and 428 were all FE engines. A lot of these engines were "used up" for racing back in the day. I tried to locate an FE for the Torino but they were fairly expensive when found. It was also suggested that I might consider finding and using something other than an engine that someone might need for a restoration.
So I focused my attention on finding a 385 Series engine. During my search someone mentioned looking into Marine engines built by Ford. I happened across two of them in the area and decided to buy the one I found up near Dassel, MN.
The 385 Series engines were sold from 1968 to 1997 and came in 370, 429, 460 cubic inch configurations. Ford also offered this engine series in the Cobra Jet, Cobra Jet RamAir, and Super Cobra Jet versions.
Below is an image of the Hardin Marine (H320) 460 cu. in./320 H.P. that I bought for the Torino build.
Since I had already decided to run an aluminum intake manifold instead of the heavier cast iron version, the 429 SCJ part was sold.
The next interesting find was located on the back of the engine. When I picked up the 460, it had the original V-Drive marine transmission bolted in place. The 2-speed (forward and reverse) transmission was bolted to a Nicson aluminum bellhousing. A clutch plate was bolted directly to the flywheel, no pressure plate was used.
Because of this rather bizarre configuration, I had my doubts about using the flywheel from this engine. That is until I looked up the casting number. The flywheel was identified as part number C9AE-6380-C used on the 1970 - 1971 429 Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet Mustang or Torino & the 1969-1970 Boss 429 Mustang. From the prices I've seen these listed at, it is a fairly sought after and valuable part!
The most interesting discovery in the part search and find process was on the 3-speed manual transmission I bought from Bob the Turkey Farmer up in Aitkin, MN. Bob had no idea what this transmission had been pulled from. I brought it home, cleaned it up and spent some time trying to identify what it came out of.
Something was very odd about this transmission and it took me a while to figure it out. It looked like a typical Ford "toploader" 3-speed but the I.D. numbers didn't show up in any searches. I also could not find any other Ford 3-speeds with this type of tailstock.
The transmission above is indeed a Ford built transmission, but it wasn't put in a Ford vehicle. The 3-speed above is called a Dearborn M13 and was the standard offering in 1966 - 1969 Pontiacs. The FoMoCo stamped toploader was used in intermediate sized Pontiacs including the GTO because the 3-speed Muncie transmission could not stand up to the higher displacement engines being introduced at that time. Most people opted to have the Muncie 4-speed option installed, so these 3-speeds are fairly rare. It is said to be one of the toughest transmissions ever installed in a Pontiac.
Next up, I am looking at how to get vintage racing tires mounted and installed. Take care for now!
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