Farmall 460 - Discuss Easy Way To Get Extra HP ?

We had a Farmall 460 gas when I was growing up on a cotton soybean farm in Arkansas. I always wondered why this tractor didn't have more power. Setting in the seat and looking out over that long hood - the tractor seemed to promised more than it could deliver. Based on side by side work, it seemed that a good strong M Farmall had just as much power if not a little more.

I remember back around 1960 looking at the engine specifications for the gas powered 460, 560 and 660. It seems that all three of the tractors had the same bore (3 9/16 in.) The 460 had 221 cu. in. displacement with a 3 11/16 in. stroke while the 560 and 660 gas burners both had 263 cu. in. displacement utilizing a 4 25/64 in. stroke. The 660 got its extra H.P. from its 2,400 rpm rating (600 more rpm than the 560 and 460). I also understand that the 660 used a different carburetor and governor spring.

My question - wouldn't it be an easy thing to change out the governor spring in the shorter stroke 460 to increase its HP? Its piston speed at the faster 2,400 rpm would still be less the 660 because of its shorter stroke? I realize that the faster engine speed might mess up the most popularly used gearing for plowing etc.

Yep,

Anything above 'bout 50 horse or so in a farm tractor is a job for diesel because it delivers way more torque and that great lugging ability (power).

That's why when you see a gas tractor on a farm, it's always the chore baby. They just can't "pull" worth a hoot.

Allan

Probably not too hard to up the RPM and since bottom line HP is a function of Torque x RPM if you raise the RPM and torques not reduced, then YES that equates to more HP. Id look into things like increasing the compression (pistons or head work etc) and then getting a bit more CFM of fuel to her and you could run at the same RPM yet still have more HP.

Trouble on that engine versus a Diesel as Allan talked about is a lot of the HP (Torque x RPM) comes from RPM so when she lugs down and that drops off the HP drops off fairly fast while a Diesel gets more of the HP from Torque so if it drops off the same RPM the HP isnt reduced quite so bad (its torque curve is pretty good even at some RPM reduction). Some would call that good lugging power I reckon which is similar to how the longggggggggg stroke high torque lower relative RPM two cylinder Deeres are likewise good luggers. Those screamin high RPM Ollies have good HP at that fast RPM, but once the RPM drops way off so does HP. Other Diesel advantages the diesel fuel is somewhat less harsh (might call it a bit of a "lubricant") then gas as far as washing protective oil off cylinder walls and rings and when the fuel ignites expanding gas pressure sort of pushes the piston down versus the sudden explosion of the gas engine which drives/shocks it down (Hey thats NOT technically perfect or accurate but sort of how I look at it, Im NO fuel chemist)

Thats my story n Ima stickin to it

John T

the 660's have planetaries in the rear hubs which gives em added power. you can idle em down on full load in the field while pulling and they just keep going. trottle em up and they recover good. try this with a 460 560 and it will choke itself.

And i only run mine at 2200 rpm as it seems to sound better and pulls good there . if i get into a hard pull then open er up for a bit. who says you need a TA in them . i honestly dont see a use for it in the 660.
And if you do then your impliment is ovliously too big for the tractor.

The easiest way to get a bunch of extra horses is to use a 263, 282, 291, or 301 crankshaft and 560 pistons.

Joe Put 560 crank and pistons in it that will make a believer out of it. Do alot back in the 60's 70's should get 65 hp and take all the cold bloobnes out of it in cold weather.

The 460 is the replacement for the Farmall *H* (really the 350), not the M.

A healthy M should be able to run circles around it. It's a heavier tractor with at least as much HP, and gobs more torque due to the larger pistons and longer stroke.

Heck, a healthy 350 can run circles around a 460.

Really, the 6-cylinder engine on the 460 is too small. It runs smooth but it has limited torque because of the short stroke and small pistons.

As long as you can keep the engine running above PTO speed, you have good power, but if you try to lug it down like an M, you will be sorely disappointed.

(quoted from post at 11:14:02 11/18/10) My question - wouldn't it be an easy thing to change out the governor spring in the shorter stroke 460 to increase its HP? Its piston speed at the faster 2,400 rpm would still be less the 660 because of its shorter stroke? I realize that the faster engine speed might mess up the most popularly used gearing for plowing etc.

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I think it would take more than reving up the rpms to gain much HP. Then you may not have enough carb to handle the added rpm and the cam/cam timing and ignition timing may not match up as well. All those things were most likely designed with the rated rpm in mind.

Hi guys, new to the site here, I just bought a 460 will pick it up friday. Its a basket case unit. In pieces, with two motors. 1 motor is said to be out of a combine??? Can any of you shed any light as to what combine engine it may be? THanks. Ryan