260 V8

All the stuff under the car, Transmission, Brakes, Suspension & Steering
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Proverbs27:17
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260 V8

Post by Proverbs27:17 »

I recently bout a 1964 Comet Wagon that has a 260 engine in it. I was going to switch it out for a 302. I drove the wagon home so the motor is still good. Is the 260 worth anything? Or is it worth keeping it in there and just adding some new stuff to it? Thanks!

barrys65cyclone
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Re: 260 V8

Post by barrys65cyclone »

you are aware the bellhousing is different between 260 & 302 ?

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Groover
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Re: 260 V8

Post by Groover »

Speaking as the driver of a 260, it's the BEST engine Ford ever made!

Ok, but seriously, is the 260 all original or modified? Does it have a 2 bbl or 4 bbl? is there anything wrong with it?

Why do you want to swap to the 302? Sure the 302 is going to make more hp and torque, but it all depends on what you want out of the car.
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Proverbs27:17
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Re: 260 V8

Post by Proverbs27:17 »

The previous owner said it is all original but I haven't pulled it yet to see. I just want it to be a cruiser. I plan on putting a set of headers on it and would like a mild cam, aluminum intake, etc. Nothing drastic just freshening up. It has a 2 barrel carb on it now but I would like to install an efi system on it. Yall's thoughts?

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bmmaurer
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Re: 260 V8

Post by bmmaurer »

What Trans is in it? If it's a Mercomatic 2 speed, the 302 wont bolt up. If it's a C4 it's a 5 bolt Bell Housing and only a Early 5 bolt 289 will bolt up. If not you'll need a 6 Bolt C4 to go with your 302. Do not bolt a 5 bolt 289 to the Mercomatic, The 2 speed is junk compared to the C4. I just did a 289 / C4 Mod to my '63 260/Mercomatic. Much better torque / Drivability

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Proverbs27:17
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Re: 260 V8

Post by Proverbs27:17 »

Man, that looks nice! It has a C4 transmission in it.

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Joe Travers
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Re: 260 V8

Post by Joe Travers »

Proverbs27:17 wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 2:19 pm
The previous owner said it is all original but I haven't pulled it yet to see. I just want it to be a cruiser. I plan on putting a set of headers on it and would like a mild cam, aluminum intake, etc. Nothing drastic just freshening up. It has a 2 barrel carb on it now but I would like to install an efi system on it. Yall's thoughts?
If it doesn't have any blowby and has good oil pressure, I'd keep it in there and do something like a Shelby tune-up. :D

JT
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1963 1/2 Custom Hardtop
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popscomet
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Re: 260 V8

Post by popscomet »

let POP set the record stright....the bell houseing on a C4 bolts on ,,you can unbolt the 5 bolt bh and bolt same tranny to a 6bolt bh......the orignal c4 out of my 64 5bolt comet,,,is today bolted to a 6bolt bh which in turn is bolted to a 1976 351w...
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robib
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Re: 260 V8

Post by robib »

The 260 is a fine "little" motor. I have one that came from my 63 Comet. I rebuilt it with .020" over pistons. To that I added a 212/212 Comp hydraulic cam, barely over stock, a 108 Autolite carb and a cast iron Ford 4bbl intake. It has an early C4 (Green dot/White dot) with a 3:25 eight inch rear. It runs very well. The secondaries take awhile to open as there is not much carb signal even at 2500/3000 RPM, but they do open and it can be felt and they stay open as long as you on the gas pedal. I am using stock Comet exhaust manifolds and they limit the usable RPM to 5100. I know this is blasphemous, but this motor is in a 63 Rambler American, which weighs about 2520 LBS and turned 15.4 seconds in the quarter. Not much slower than the stock GTO, etc. of the era. So, while the 260s won't set the track on fire, the one I have does a decent job. If your motor needs to be rebuilt, it will serve your car well and be a great cruiser.

popscomet
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Re: 260 V8

Post by popscomet »

robib wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 7:47 pm
The 260 is a fine "little" motor. I have one that came from my 63 Comet. I rebuilt it with .020" over pistons. To that I added a 212/212 Comp hydraulic cam, barely over stock, a 108 Autolite carb and a cast iron Ford 4bbl intake. It has an early C4 (Green dot/White dot) with a 3:25 eight inch rear. It runs very well. The secondaries take awhile to open as there is not much carb signal even at 2500/3000 RPM, but they do open and it can be felt and they stay open as long as you on the gas pedal. I am using stock Comet exhaust manifolds and they limit the usable RPM to 5100. I know this is blasphemous, but this motor is in a 63 Rambler American, which weighs about 2520 LBS and turned 15.4 seconds in the quarter. Not much slower than the stock GTO, etc. of the era. So, while the 260s won't set the track on fire, the one I have does a decent job. If your motor needs to be rebuilt, it will serve your car well and be a great cruiser.
and that's not to shabby in my book,,,,and I 100% agree with the above,,,,you do not need a snot gobbler to cruise around in...JMO.....I think somtimes guys watch to much TV and read way to many magazines and again this is JMO....POP
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Joe Travers
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Re: 260 V8

Post by Joe Travers »

robib wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 7:47 pm
I know this is blasphemous, but this motor is in a 63 Rambler American, which weighs about 2520 LBS and turned 15.4 seconds in the quarter. Not much slower than the stock GTO, etc. of the era.
That's the ticket, power to weight ratio. Why I love the Comet.
GTOs weigh 1/2 ton more than the Comet. Comets don't need a ton of power to compete with higher horsepower intermediate/full size cars.
260s were scooting pretty fast in Shelby's rally cars and the early Cobra. It's a keeper.
I found a '63 260 last month and I have my eye on it. It's not going anywhere until I can get a new shed built out back. :P

JT
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comethead
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Re: 260 V8

Post by comethead »

popscomet wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:41 pm
,,,you do not need a snot gobbler to cruise around in...JMO.....I think somtimes guys watch to much TV and read way to many magazines and again this is JMO....POP
Snot gobbler! :lol:
I think the 302 in my Falcon qualifies as a snot gobbler!! :lol:
1965 Caliente HT- 289/4 speed
1964 Falcon HT- track car- 302/4 speed
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popscomet
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Re: 260 V8

Post by popscomet »

comethead wrote:
Thu Oct 22, 2020 12:43 am
popscomet wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:41 pm
,,,you do not need a snot gobbler to cruise around in...JMO.....I think somtimes guys watch to much TV and read way to many magazines and again this is JMO....POP
Snot gobbler! :lol:
I think the 302 in my Falcon qualifies as a snot gobbler!! :lol:
:? or maybe a snot slinger :shock: :lol:
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