Engine - The main challenge of the build ($$$)
When I first acquired the Torino race car, I discovered that I had a lot to learn about working on vintage Fords. I have owned and worked on a wide variety of cars and trucks over the years, but I hadn't worked on many Fords at all.
I knew some of the basics, like cubic inch engine sizes that Ford had produced over the years, but couldn't tell the differences by looking at them. Over the past few years I have come to know a bit more than I used to, especially about the big block configurations.
When I first started looking into an engine for the Torino Tribute build, I looked at the FE series engines, the 428, 427, even the 390. What I found was that those engines are quite sought after, and because of that they are fairly expensive.
I then turned to the 385 series big block, the 429 and 460 cu. in. engines. When I started asking around the Ford groups they suggested looking for a marine engine. Their point was that if I found and used a good vintage car engine in my race car, someone else might be looking for a numbers matching engine for a restoration project.
With that in mind, I started searching for Ford 460 marine engines. I guess I should explain how I got to the point where I now own two boat motors.
Back in January 2017, I purchase a Hardin Marine 460 cubic inch - 320 horsepower engine from a fellow up in Dassel, MN. I bought it for under $500 and sold enough of the extra parts to more than pay for the engine.
Below are some photos from the first purchase.
For the most part, the Hardin Marine engine has been sitting on the engine stand since I tore it down to the short block assembly. I started adding up the cost of the parts to rebuild the motor and it seemed like it would take me quite a while to save up and invest that much money.
I then decided if I wanted to speed the overall timeline up, I needed to find a running engine that required minimal time and investment to be ready to race. I made a random Craigslist search in the Rochester, MN area and came across an OMC King Cobra 460 cubic inch, 345 h.p. engine that had been built-up and could be heard running.
The funniest thing was, that I had plans to run down to an IMCA Old Timers gathering in Rochester a few days after I called and checked on the engine. The old boy on the other end of the line said he was planning on being at that same get-together and we could meet there.
Below is a picture of the King Cobra 460 as it was released by OMC.
And below is a picture of the actual engine that I ended up purchasing. Directly behind it is a Ford 427 side-oiler Nascar engine (that I really couldn't afford).
Although the engine is in running condition, it needs to have a little work done before it can go into the Torino. The timing cover and water pump are specific to the marine application and will need to be replaced by stock ford parts. The cover plate for the bellhousing is also specific to the marine drive unit and will also need to be replaced.
The engine has been rebuilt by a company in Long Lake, MN that specializes in high performance marine engines, and has had a few updates done to it. The original 780 vacuum secondary Holley Carburetor has been replaced by an 850 Holley double pumper. The original intake has been updated to a Blue Thunder hi-rise.
My plan is to give the engine a makeover in order to get it to look more like a 1970's 429 cubic inch car engine. I will be painting the entire engine Old Ford blue. I have a set of re-chromed valve covers that will be replacing the finned aluminum OMC set. A larger chrome Ford style air cleaner will be going on top. And I also need to swap the existing oil pan over to the front sump version that fits the Torino. I have already purchased factory alternator and power steering brackets and will be installing them once the new timing cover has been updated.
After getting the "new" engine home, I decided that it would be a good idea to build a test-run stand for it. I thought it would make the most sense to wire all the components that will end up being installed in the race car on the stand, where everything is easier to access. Once I have everything working, I can just transfer it all into the Torino.
Below is an example of one of the stands I am using for a reference...
Hopefully I can show the test-run engine stand and some of the engine makeover process in the next post. Until then, take care!
