460 big block question

Pantech · Post by **Pantech** » May 5, 2009, 4:51 pm

Does anyone know if a stock 3 speed (three on the tree) that fits on a 352 will fit a 460? Are the splines diffrent is the bolt pattern diffrent that stuff.

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » May 5, 2009, 7:15 pm

It will fit if you have the right bellhousing. You can use a 351M/400 bellhousing but it is a bit short so you have to make a spacer. Hawkrod

oldtrucks · Post by **oldtrucks** » May 6, 2009, 2:45 am

Hawkrod
Pantech

I used a 302 pilot bearing on mine. It fits into the 2nd step of the crank. An alternative to making a spacer.

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » May 6, 2009, 10:26 am

oldtrucks wrote:Hawkrod
Pantech

I used a 302 pilot bearing on mine. It fits into the 2nd step of the crank. An alternative to making a spacer.

The pilot is not the issue, the 351/400 bellhousing is too short, you need a spacer between the bellhousing and the trans. Some people actually use a few bellhousing block plates and cut the centers out of a couple of them so they don't rub the flywheel. I have not tried that but I did make a spacer out of 3/9 plate that bolts between the trans and bellhousing. It was a bit of work but did the job well. Hawkrod

Pantech · Post by **Pantech** » May 8, 2009, 11:01 am

thanks to the both of you yeah im getting i 460 soon and i didnt feel like buying a new tranny this will be good if i can make it work i will use the tips you gave to make it work

oldtrucks · Post by **oldtrucks** » May 8, 2009, 3:33 pm

I've gone 2 ways with this conversion. 1st time I thought about making a spacer but didn't have the equipment to be precise enough for the hole spacing nor to be able to cut out for the input shaft support so I went another route. I trimmed the input shaft splines back about 1/2 inch and it worked good for me. That was the 460.
The 429 that is currently in my truck I don't remember where I heard of it but I used a 302 input shaft pilot bearing in the crankshaft. It sets further into the crank on the 2nd step and it worked out good. I don't have a crank that I can take a picture of to show how it works or I would post it.
So in my experence there are at least 3 ways to be able to use the way more plentyful 351/400 bell housing for this swap. Another way might be to obtain an input shaft from a transmission that was used in the 351/400 truck application. From my viewpoint what ever method that is used as long as safety and reliability are taken into consideration go ahead and use it. Cost is probably a factor too.
I'm suprised L&L, to name one, Hasn't addressed this issue because it is a very popular swap. I know I haven't covered all the scenarios and every one has their own way of solving problems.
Thanks for hearing me out.