1984 F350/460/4 speed upgrades.....

[DonFitzwater]

I’m helping an old friend that runs an 84 F350 with a 460, 4 speed 4x4 upgrade the old beast. He purchased a set of headers, Edelbrock Air Gap intake and will fab up his own exhaust. The Holley that’s on it is shot and what I’m looking for are opinions of a good spread bore carb and camshaft option. This truck is run primarily in the winter and is used to haul snow machines to trapline and back. Looking for good towing power, hot rod performance.....not so much.

 

[TFucili]

For cam, I'd say any "RV" grind would work fine. If he overcams it it will be miserable. I have not run one, but I have been told the Edelbrock carbs are easy to tune. I guess they are basically a Carter anyway???

 

[DonFitzwater]

I’ve never fooled with big block fords so this may be a silly question, do the heads have to come off for a cam swap?

 

[TFucili]

I’ve never fooled with big block fords so this may be a silly question, do the heads have to come off for a cam swap?

Not that I recall, Don. I think it's pretty standard issue stuff.

 

[Wayne M.]

This is pretty standard hop up stuff.
For a cam, I’d stay around 270* advertised duration, and I do recall hearing about a timing issue- possibly the location of the crank key that retards the timing on these late 70-early 80’s big Fords. So, I’d definitely degree that cam in.
For a carb? You’re going to need at least 750 CFM, so that Edelbrock version of the old AFB may be too small. I’m a stickler for Holley, but I don’t know what the current quality/ offerings are but I think they still make the 4175 series spread bore carbs. I’ve had luck with those.

 

[TFucili]

Good call on the cam timing, Wayne. Sometimes you had to get a different timing set, etc., to run it "straight up".

 

[NIsaacs]

Not many choices for a spread bore carb. Summit shows 4, all GM.

https://www.summitracing.com/search...der=Ascending&N=carburetor-flange:spread-bore

I would go with this cam: Most cams will require matching valve springs so you might want to pull the heads and give them a refresh at the same time.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-2167/overview/make/ford

Unless you are a experienced engine builder and know what you want, I would use Edelbrock pieces. They do the testing/engineering for you. They offer 2 choices for the 460. Torque, go with performer kits, HP go with performer RPM kits. Otherwise the choices are endless and will drive you crazy

 

[Wayne M.]

I’m happy Nick pretty much agrees.
Since the truck is a stick, the carb being a “GM” item usually refers to linkage hookups, and since there’s only throttle, that will be customized so that won’t matter. Also get a spring kit to tune the secondary tip in.
The Cam is on the high side of what I was thinking, but since headers are in play, it should be a strong truck.
If the heads wind up coming off, a nice skim of the decks will raise the abysmal compression and will only help.

 

[Wayne M.]

Again, I can’t stress enough to degree the cam to ensure it’s phasing is where the cam grinder wants it.

 

[DonFitzwater]

https://www.holley.com/products/fuel_systems/carburetors/classic_holley/parts/0-80508SA

I'm thinking this carb and a square bore to spread bore adapter. I'll go with the cam/lifter kit that Nick posted.

 

[Wayne M.]

That would be my choice. But if you’re using an Edelbrock intake, it should be drilled for square and spread. No adapter should be needed.

 

[NIsaacs]

That would be my choice. But if you’re using an Edelbrock intake, it should be drilled for square and spread. No adapter should be needed.

Will the square bore butterflies clear the small side of the spread bore, without the spacer?

 

[Wayne M.]

Will the square bore butterflies clear the small side of the spread bore, without the spacer?

If you mean on an Edelbrock intake? Sure it shoukd.

 

[NIsaacs]

If you mean on an Edelbrock intake? Sure it shoukd.

Yes, you are right. For some reason I was thinking the intake would have small primaries like the quadrajets. It does look like the carb base gasket needs careful attention to prevent a vacuum leak.

 

[Wayne M.]

That’s a nice intake.
I always used a heat insulator/ laminated gasket like this,
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/qft-300-4013qft/
But Holley made it, and it was much cheaper. Always worked well.

 

[DonFitzwater]

OK, my buddy went ahead and called Edelbrock and ordered a carb and the cam kit from them.

 

[DonFitzwater]

We'll be installing all these goodies around the beginning of November and I'll post the seat of the pants results when we are finished. Hell, we might even do some before and after testing!

 

[Ozymandias]

Just curious asking.
Why not go for a fuel injection especially for winter use?

I've no idea about old Fords but remember the time when i switched from a carb car to my first EFI car it was like night an day for fuel economy and starting procedural.

 

[Wayne M.]

Just curious asking.
Why not go for a fuel injection especially for winter use?

I've no idea about old Fords but remember the time when i switched from a carb car to my first EFI car it was like night an day for fuel economy and starting procedural.

Of course the neat thing would be to get the factory EFI manifold and hardware, and hack a version of EEC IV, but even doing everything junkyard style, you’re looking at a lot more money than that carb and intake.
The current aftermarket TBI offerings go around $1500.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Just curious asking.
Why not go for a fuel injection especially for winter use?

I've no idea about old Fords but remember the time when i switched from a carb car to my first EFI car it was like night an day for fuel economy and starting procedural.

Have you ever dealt with an old timer? He doesn't like fuel injection is all I can say.