Ford 7.5L (460) V8

Ford 7.5L (460) V8 — every model and year that used this engine (42 models, 1981–2022), based on NHTSA VIN build data, with links to prices and reliability.

Classic big-block trucks and RVs.

7.5L · 8 cylinders · seen in 42 models, 1981–2022

By the numbers

Output range 100–265 hp (median 230 hp). Gasoline: 100%. Based on 843 decoded NHTSA VIN build sheets.

About this engine family

The Ford 385 engine family is a series of “big block" overhead valve (OHV) V8 engines designed and manufactured by Ford Motor Company. The family derives its 385 name from the 3.85-inch (98 mm) stroke of the 460 cubic-inch V8 introduced in 1968. A 429 cu in (7.0 L) version was also introduced the same year, with a 370 cu in (6.1 L) variant appearing in 1977.

In detail

The engine was produced in 370 (6.1 L), 429 (7.0 L), and 460 cubic-inch (7.5 L) displacements. To reduce weight over their predecessors, the 385 engines utilized thinwall casting methods and a skirtless block. The smallest-displacement engine of the 385 engine family, the 370 was introduced after the 429 and 460, replacing the 360 Truck (FT) V8 in 1977. Sharing its 3.59-inch stroke with the 429, the 370 was designed with a downsized 4.05-inch bore (shared with its predecessor and the 390 V8).

For 1979, the engine was rebranded in metric, as 6.1 L. After 1991 production, the 370 was discontinued, with the 429 replacing it in all truck applications. Applications: * Ford medium-duty F-Series (1977–1991) * Ford F-600/F-700 * Ford B-Series (1977–1989) * Ford C-Series (1979–1987) * Ford C600–C800 * Ford L-Series "Louisville Line" (1977–1985) * Ford L600–L800 Introduced in 1968, the 429 was developed in conjunction with the 460 (also debuted in 1968) to replace the three largest FE-series V8s, the 390, 427, and 428.

Both had wedge-shaped combustion chambers and shared a 4.36-inch bore, with the 429 destroked to 3.59-inches. The 429 first appeared in the Ford Thunderbird, getting a one-year head start on other Ford and Mercury models, and saw use across both divisions' pony car, intermediate, and full-size product lines. It was also later available in high performance Cobra Jet versions for street use and police interceptors. A race-bred "semi-hemi" version for NASCAR competition was developed and installed for homologation purposes in the 1969 Boss 429 Mustang.

The 429 was replaced in 1974 by the 460 in Ford and Lincoln-Mercury cars, and only available in medium-duty Ford trucks after the 1973 model year. The engine became marketed in metric in 1979, as the 7.0L V8. Initially replacing the 401 Super Duty V8, the 7.0L replaced the 477 and 534 Super Duty engines for 1982. After 1991, the 429 became the sole gasoline engine offered in medium sized and larger Ford trucks; the 460/7.5L was only used in trucks under 1½-ton payload.

The 1971 429 police interceptor was tuned similarly to the 429 Cobra Jet, with an 11.3:1 compression ratio. Featuring forged notched pistons the engine was rated at 370 hp (gross). Applications: * Ford Thunderbird (1968–1973) * Ford Mustang (1969–1971) * Ford Mustang Boss 429 (1969–1970) * Ford/Mercury full-size (1969–1973) * Ford/Mercury intermediate: Torino, Montego, & Cyclone (1969–1973) * Mercury Cougar (1971) * Ford medium-duty F-Series (1977–1998) * Ford F-600/F-700/F-800 * Ford B-Series (1977–1989) * Ford C-Series (1979–1987) * Ford C600/C700/C800 * Ford L-Series "Louisville Line" (1977–1991) * Ford L900 A race-bred "semi-hemi" version of the 429 was developed for NASCAR competition, and installed for homologation in the Boss 429 Mustang.

This was a very different and much heavier duty engine than the standard 429, and distinct from the two high-performance wedge-head Cobra Jet versions. Designed to compete with the reigning most powerful street V8, the Chrysler 426 Hemi, it featured aluminum heads and intake manifold, a stiffened engine block, and many race-spec internal upgrades. The Boss 429 Mustang and Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II were the engine's only street application, but it competed in NASCAR installed in various Ford and Mercury products, including the Cyclone Spoiler II and later builds of the Torino Talladega.

It took home 26 winner's trophies in 1969, before factory support was curtailed going forward. In addition to the NASCAR-bred "semi-hemi" used in the Boss 429 Mustang, Ford developed two high-performance street versions of the wedge head 429 between 1969 and 1971, the Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet.

Source: Wikipedia — Ford 385 engine, CC BY-SA.

Models that used this engine

Model Years with this engine Fuel VIN builds seen
F-350 1983–2012 Gasoline 204
E-350 1981–1996 Gasoline 113
TRANSIT CARGO 2016–2022 Gasoline 108
F-250 1983–1997 Gasoline 106
F-150 2016–2022 Gasoline 38
TRANSIT CREW 2020–2022 Gasoline 31
TRANSIT CHASSIS 2020–2022 Gasoline 29
ECONOLINE 1998–2014 Gasoline 26
TRANSIT PASSENGER 2016–2022 Gasoline 22
TRANSIT 2016–2022 Gasoline 19
F-SUPER DUTY 1988–1997 Gasoline 19
E-SERIES 2011–2014 Gasoline 17

Engine usage derived from NHTSA VIN build data (displacement + cylinder configuration). Model links lead to prices, generations and reliability.

For sale with this engine