So, you’ve got a classic 1978 Lincoln Town Car and a desire for more power under the hood? You’re in the right place. Swapping or upgrading to a 460 engine is a popular move for Town Car enthusiasts looking to boost performance. This guide dives into how to build a potent 460 for your land yacht, focusing on selecting the right 1978 Lincoln Town Car Parts for a reliable and powerful ride.
You’ve mentioned acquiring a 460 from a ’78 Town Car and wanting to upgrade it for your ’79 model, initially planning to modify the 400 engine. The 460 is definitely a strong platform for performance gains, and aiming for 400-500 horsepower is achievable and streetable for your classic Lincoln. Let’s break down the key areas and 1978 Lincoln Town Car parts you’ll need to consider for this build.
Building a 460 for Performance: Key Considerations
You’ve outlined your project goals and provided crucial information, which is a great starting point. Let’s address your questions and expand on them to create a comprehensive plan for your 460 build.
Intended Use and Vehicle Specs
- Daily Driving and Occasional Autocross: This dual-purpose use is important for parts selection. You’ll need an engine that’s docile enough for daily commutes but has the power and responsiveness for autocross events. This means focusing on broad torque and usable horsepower across the RPM range.
- Vehicle Info: Your 1979 Town Car weighs around 5000lbs, has a 9″ rear end with 2.75 gears and a Torsen LSD, and a C6 transmission. The 2.75 gears are geared for highway cruising, so while great for fuel economy at speed, they aren’t ideal for quick acceleration. Consider this when building your engine – you’ll want strong low-end torque to get that heavy car moving. The C6 transmission, when built properly, can handle the power you’re aiming for.
Fuel and Budget
- Pump Gas (91-93 Octane): Building for pump gas is sensible and keeps things convenient and cost-effective. This will influence your compression ratio and camshaft selection.
- Budget of $4-5k: This is a reasonable budget for achieving your horsepower goals, but careful planning and parts selection are crucial to stay within it. Prioritize essential components and consider where you can save money without sacrificing reliability or performance.
Cylinder Heads: D3VE/D8VE vs. D0VE
You suspect your 460 has D3VE or D8VE cylinder heads, which is likely for a 1978 engine. You’re right to be thinking about cylinder heads, as they are critical for performance.
- D0VE Heads: These are highly sought after for performance builds due to their superior port design and smaller combustion chambers, generally offering better flow and higher compression. The horsepower chart you linked (https://www.460ford.com/forum/40-engine-build-archive/119213-460-horsepower-chart-revised-1-24-09-a.html) heavily features builds using D0VE heads for this reason.
- D3VE and D8VE Heads: These are later, emissions-era heads. They have larger combustion chambers (around 95-97cc vs. D0VE’s ~75cc), resulting in lower compression ratios, which is less desirable for performance. The exhaust ports on these heads are also less efficient than D0VE heads.
Should you port your D3VE/D8VE heads? Porting can definitely improve the flow of D3VE/D8VE heads, making them more comparable to D0VE heads. A good shop can perform a port job focusing on the exhaust side and bowl blending to significantly improve airflow.
When taking them to a shop, specify:
- Exhaust porting: Focus on widening and smoothing the exhaust ports for better flow.
- Bowl blending: Smooth the transition from the valve seats into the ports.
- Remove casting flash: Clean up any rough edges or imperfections in the ports.
- Valve job: A multi-angle valve job is recommended for improved flow.
- Valve seals: Definitely upgrade to positive-type valve seals for better oil control and reduced smoke, especially with performance driving.
Is it worth porting D3VE/D8VE heads? It depends on your budget and goals. Porting will cost money, and D0VE heads are still superior out of the box. However, if you already have D3VE/D8VE heads, porting them is a cost-effective way to improve performance without sourcing and buying potentially expensive D0VE heads. Keep an eye out for used D0VE heads as 1978 Lincoln Town Car parts – they might be a worthwhile upgrade if found at a good price.
Understanding your cylinder head casting numbers is crucial when sourcing 1978 Lincoln Town Car parts for your 460 build.
Pistons: Stock vs. Flat Top
- Stock Pistons: With D3VE/D8VE heads, stock pistons will result in a very low compression ratio, likely in the 8:1 range or even lower. This is not ideal for performance, especially with pump gas.
- Flat Top Pistons: Switching to flat top pistons is highly recommended. With D3VE/D8VE heads, flat tops will bring your compression ratio up to a more respectable and performance-oriented level, likely around 9-9.5:1, depending on head milling and gasket thickness. This will significantly improve torque and horsepower, especially in the low-mid RPM range, perfect for your heavy Town Car.
Recommendation: Go with flat top pistons. This is a key 1978 Lincoln Town Car part upgrade for achieving your power goals with your likely cylinder heads.
Block Decking
You’re right about decking the block. “Decking” refers to machining the block surface where the cylinder heads bolt on to ensure it’s perfectly flat and square to the crankshaft centerline. This is important for:
- Proper Head Gasket Seal: Ensures a good seal and prevents leaks.
- Accurate Compression Ratio: Decking can slightly increase compression. “Zero deck” means the piston is exactly flush with the deck surface at top dead center (TDC).
What to tell the machine shop:
- Deck the block for flatness and squareness.
- Specify your desired deck height. For a performance build, aiming for a near “zero deck” is a good idea to maximize quench (the tight clearance between the piston and cylinder head at TDC), which helps reduce detonation and improve combustion efficiency. Discuss your piston and head choices with the machine shop to determine the optimal deck height for your desired compression ratio.
Camshaft Selection: Torque for a Land Yacht
You’re on the right track thinking about an RV-style cam for low-end torque. The horsepower chart’s “custom grind” recommendation is a good starting point, but you don’t necessarily need a full custom grind. Many off-the-shelf camshafts will work well for your application.
Key Camshaft Characteristics for your build:
- Focus on Low-Mid Range Torque: Look for cams with shorter duration and wider lobe separation angles (LSA). These characteristics promote strong cylinder pressure at lower RPMs, which is what you need to move a heavy car.
- “RV Cam” or “Torque Cam” Profiles: These are designed for exactly this purpose.
- Hydraulic Flat Tappet or Hydraulic Roller: Hydraulic flat tappet cams are more budget-friendly, but hydraulic roller cams offer better performance, reduced friction, and longer life. If budget allows, consider a hydraulic roller setup.
Camshaft Recommendations (Examples – always verify specs for your specific needs):
- Edelbrock Performer RPM Camshaft Kit (Hydraulic Flat Tappet): Designed for broad torque and good street manners.
- Comp Cams XE262H (Hydraulic Flat Tappet): Another popular choice for street performance with good low-mid range power.
- Consider a mild Hydraulic Roller Cam: Brands like Comp Cams, Ford Performance, and others offer hydraulic roller cams that would be excellent for your goals, but will increase the budget as you’ll need roller lifters and potentially other valvetrain components.
Camshaft Springs: Yes, camshaft kits usually include valve springs matched to the cam profile. Ensure the springs are compatible with your heads and intended RPM range.
Rocker Arms: Stock vs. Roller Rockers
- Stock Rocker Arms: Stock rocker arms will work, but they introduce friction.
- Roller Rockers: Roller rockers are a worthwhile upgrade. They reduce friction in the valvetrain, freeing up a little horsepower and reducing wear. They also offer more accurate valve lift.
Recommendation: If budget allows, upgrade to roller rockers (1.73:1 ratio is standard for 460s). This is another area where you can improve efficiency and longevity of your 1978 Lincoln Town Car parts engine build.
Headers: Hooker 6126
Hooker 6126 headers are a popular choice for 460 swaps in older Ford cars, including full-size models. You’ve seen confirmation of them fitting in a MK V, which is very similar to your Town Car chassis.
Recommendation: Hooker 6126 headers are a good choice for improved exhaust flow and performance. Ensure you get the correct gaskets and hardware for installation.
Fueling: EFI Kit from 460efiguys
The 460efiguys EFI kit is a solid option for modernizing your fuel system. EFI offers several advantages over carburetors:
- Improved Fuel Economy: More precise fuel metering.
- Better Cold Starting: Easier starts in cold weather.
- Enhanced Drivability: Smoother throttle response and better idle.
- Potential for Tuning: More control over fuel and ignition curves for optimized performance.
Recommendation: The 460efiguys EFI kit is a great way to bring your 460 into the modern era and enhance performance and drivability.
Machine Shop in Kansas City, MO (64133)
Finding a good machine shop is crucial for a successful engine build. Here are a few ways to find reputable shops in the Kansas City area:
- Online Reviews: Check Google Reviews, Yelp, and automotive forums for recommendations and reviews of machine shops in your area.
- Local Car Clubs and Forums: Ask for recommendations from local car enthusiasts and hot rodders. They often have firsthand experience with local shops.
- Speed Shops and Performance Parts Retailers: Local speed shops often have preferred machine shops they work with.
- Ask for Referrals: If you know anyone who has had engine work done, ask them for recommendations.
When contacting shops, ask about their experience with:
- Ford 460 Engines: Experience with big-block Ford engines is important.
- Performance Builds: Ensure they have experience with performance engine work, not just basic rebuilds.
- Decking, Boring, and Honing: Confirm they have the necessary equipment and expertise for these machining operations.
- Head Porting (if you choose to port your heads): Ask about their porting services and experience.
Conclusion: Building Your 460 Powerhouse
Upgrading your 1978 Lincoln Town Car with a performance-built 460 is an exciting project. By carefully selecting 1978 Lincoln Town Car parts and focusing on building a torquey and reliable engine, you’ll transform your classic car into a powerful and enjoyable machine. Remember to prioritize flat top pistons, consider porting your heads (or sourcing D0VEs if budget allows), choose a torque-focused camshaft, and upgrade to roller rockers for optimal performance and efficiency. Finding a reputable machine shop in Kansas City is the final key to bringing your 460 vision to life. Good luck with your build!
