Ford 406 Street Engine Build in '79 Ranchero - Comp Cams 268 Specs & Dyno
Reference · 1972-1976 RancheroAll 26 brochures & literature
Engine-build magazine article (406 cid mention) on a 79 Ford Ranchero 460; covers Holley carb sizing, MSD 6AL ignition, dual cats, plus a Comp Cams High Energy vs Xtreme Energy 268-degree cam spec table.
Part of 1972-1976 Ford Ranchero Brochures & Literature
This is a page from a magazine article ("Down & Dirty", Hot Rod) describing the completion of a budget 406-cubic-inch Ford street engine build installed in a '79 Ford Ranchero. It covers carburetor sizing using the formula (cid x max rpm)/3,456, recommending 610 cfm and suggesting a 650-cfm vacuum-secondary Holley spread-bore four-barrel. Ignition upgrades include an MSD 6-AL box and Super Blaster Coil alongside the stock Ford electronic distributor. The exhaust uses dual catalytic converters flowing 750 cfm each and a West Coast Muffler 3-inch system with a Flowmaster venturi Y-pipe into a single Flowmaster Big Block muffler. The drivetrain combination includes a $175 3.25:1 limited-slip differential in the 9-inch housing and a 2,200-rpm stall torque converter (2,280 rpm at 65 mph in high gear). Dyno results: 375-plus lb-ft at just over 2,000 rpm, peaking at 456 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm and 382 hp with all emissions equipment intact, for roughly $2,000 total. The page ends with a "Street Engine Cam Specification Comparison" table comparing the Comp Cams High Energy 268 (part 32-221-3) and X-Treme Energy 268 (part 32-000-5), listing grind numbers, lobe durations, valve lift, and 110-degree lobe separation.
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Frequently asked questions
- How much power did the 406 Ford engine build make?
- The 406 generated 382 hp and peaked at 456 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, with 375-plus lb-ft available at slightly more than 2,000 rpm, all with emissions gear intact.
- What carburetor size does the article recommend for the 406?
- Using the formula (engine cid [406] x max rpm [5,200]) / 3,456, the engine needed 610 cfm. A 650-cfm vacuum-secondary Holley spread-bore four-barrel is recommended as the better choice.
- What are the specs of the Comp Cams High Energy 268 cam?
- Part number 32-221-3, grind FC 268H-10; intake lobe 268 degrees / 218 degrees at 0.050 inch; exhaust 268 degrees / 224 degrees at 0.050 inch; valve lift 0.494-inch intake/exhaust with 1.73:1 rockers; 110-degree lobe separation.
- What exhaust system was used on the Ranchero?
- Dual catalytic converters flowing 750 cfm each, joined by a West Coast Muffler (Concord, California) 3-inch-diameter system with a two-into-one Flowmaster venturi Y-pipe into a single Flowmaster Big Block muffler.
- What torque converter and rear gears were used?
- A 2,200-rpm stall converter with close internal clearances (2,280 rpm at 65 mph in high gear) and a $175 used 3.25:1 limited-slip differential in the Ranchero's 9-inch housing.
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