Tell me about mid 90's, 460 engines

[mowingman]

I may buy out a small business, and the current owner has a 1994, F250 with a 460 engine that he wants to sell as part of the deal.
I am not sure I want this old gas hog, and do not know much about the 460 in general.
The truck is an extended cab, long bed, auto trans. with XLT trim. It has 178,000 on it.
The engine has 4000 miles on it since getting new exhaust manifold gaskets. He says it uses about 1 qt of oil every 5000 miles. The owner is an elderly gentleman who has babied this truck, and overall, it looks to be in very nice condition, and runs nice and smooth.
Were these old 460's good engines. Will it have many miles left in it, or is it probably nearing the end of life, since it is edging in on 200,000 miles?
Any info would be appreciated.

[2003kingranch]

460's are a damn good motor!!!!!! i know people that are creepin on 300k and they still run fine. 1qt to 5k is a little much but if it runs good go for it. a ton of power and reliable. change the oil and she'll treat you good. only weak link is going to be, trans, alt, battery's ect... but if its been taken care of i wouldn't worry about the trans.

["Stroker 8"]

Originally Posted by 2003kingranch

460's are a damn good motor!!!!!! i know people that are creepin on 300k and they still run fine. 1qt to 5k is a little much but if it runs good go for it. a ton of power and reliable. change the oil and she'll treat you good. only weak link is going to be, trans, alt, battery's ect... but if its been taken care of i wouldn't worry about the trans.

I would also have your Mechanic give it a thorough once over top to bottom and everywhere in between. IMO.

[sgg93]

Those 460's make power like a diesel, and start better than a diesel, and run on cheaper fuel. They don't last as long, don't get as good of fuel mileage and aren't as easy to build on, but a lot of people will argue that the 460 was Ford's best motor.

[kanuck15]

They are just as easy to make power with as long as you know what they need

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

we have one with almost 300k on it.. completely original trans and engine...

[mowingman]

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like I don't need to be overly concerned with that engine then. I am going to agree to buy it as part of the deal, and will set the value at about $2500.

[Galaxie]

I made an easy 460 hp with old school parts on a 460. Got about 7 mpg in a 72 Galaxie LTD but none the less. A HUGE car that had stock parts that ran 13.9s

[BennyLumpkin]

Used to run with a tow company and they had one that had over 214000 miles(hammered miles) when I left there 8 years ago and its still running strong. They are a strange engine. Great power, good reliability....but 80 percent of the combustion is outside the chamber....its odd.

[darin bell]

Late to the discussion but I had a 96 F250 with a 460 and it was probably the best truck I ever had. The motor is bulletproof and powerful, but mileage is poor.