1997 Ford F460 problems
The Volvo 440 and 460 are versions of a small family car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo between June 1988 and September 1996. The 440 was a five-door hatchback and the 460 a four-door saloon which followed in 1989. They were built at the NedCar factory in Born, the Netherlands and were only offered with front-wheel drive.
They shared many components with the earlier Volvo 480 coupé, including floorpan, front and rear suspension, engines from Renault, transmissions, and braking systems.
Design and styling
The Volvo 440/460 Series models were designed to fit in below Volvo's bigger saloon and estate cars as a replacement to the 340/360 Series, to compete with the likes of the Ford Sierra.
Development of the 440/460/480 started in 1978, as part of the "Galaxy Project" which was to create two lines of front-wheel drive cars to replace the 300- and 200-series. The smaller line was called G1, while the larger G2 was to become the new Volvo 850. The first G1 mule, designed by Jan Wilsgaard and called the G4, was completed in September 1980 and looked largely identical to the finished Volvo 440. The G1 project was split into three branches, the G13 becoming the 480, the G14 the 460, and the G15 the 440. In 1982, the entire project was sold by Volvo to Volvo Car B.V. in the Netherlands (the successor company to DAF), who started work on the 480 coupé version. As was Volvo's tradition, a new line of cars was always introduced with the most expensive and lowest selling model first, allowing Volvo time to iron out any problems before starting volume production.
The 480 had a lot of problems in its first year of production, and the Dutch office did not have the manpower to complete the G15 (440). A lot of the work was thus subcontracted to two English companies. With the project being shifted to the Netherlands, then partially shifted to England, and further held up by the troubled gestation and initial production of the 480, the 440 looked rather dated by the time it was introduced. While the actual design is credited to Peter van Kuilenburg, Gothenburg had laid down a lot of design provisions since this was to be a volume product for the company, and the final result looked near identical to Wilsgaard's 1980 design. A station wagon was never offered, to avoid competing directly with the larger 240 and 740 wagons. This did not stop independent suppliers ASC and Heuliez from designing station wagon models and presenting them to Volvo, while the Dutch company Toncar sold a bolt-on conversion which replaced the 440's tailgate with an add-on station wagon structure.
First generation 400 series cars resemble the bigger 940, whilst the facelifted example bore a resemblance to the Volvo 850 to increase sales. The interiors of the 400-series variants were designed by British Volvo designer Peter Horbury.
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Common 1997 Ford F460 problems
Based on the information provided in the sources, here are the common problems with the Ford F-460 1997 as reported by owners:
- Warped Exhaust Manifolds and Broken Head Bolts: A prevalent issue among F-460 owners is the warping of exhaust manifolds and the breaking of head bolts, leading to exhaust leaks. This problem is common due to the high heat cycles the exhaust manifold undergoes. Installing a high-flow exhaust system and headers can help prevent these issues.
- Oil Cooler Failure and Coolant Mixing: The F-460 uses a heat exchanger oil cooler system that can experience failures in the seals separating coolant and engine oil. If left unaddressed, this can lead to coolant mixing with engine oil, causing severe engine damage due to the lack of lubricative qualities in coolant. Regularly changing the rubber gaskets in the oil cooler adapter is recommended to prevent this issue.
- Starting Issues: Owners have reported difficulties starting the F-460 after it has been sitting for a couple of hours. Despite changing spark plugs, wires, and the distributor cap, the engine struggles to start, exhibiting symptoms like hitting and missing. Possible causes include a faulty ignition start switch, distributor pickup coil issues, or bad frame-to-engine grounds. Checking the timing and ensuring proper fuel delivery are also recommended troubleshooting steps.
- Lifter Issues and Leaks: Higher mileage F-460 engines may experience lifter issues, leading to tapping noises. Additionally, common leak points include the timing cover, water pump, and thermostat housing. Regular maintenance and using quality parts are emphasized to ensure the longevity of the engine.
These common problems highlight the need for regular maintenance and proactive measures to address issues promptly to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of the Ford F-460 1997.
Is the 1997 Ford 460 a good engine?
The Ford 460's 7.5-litre engine was one of the most reliable and powerful engines in Ford's history, and it served many customers well for many years and miles. By taking good care of your engine, you can extend its lifespan and enjoy its benefits for longer.
Is a 1996 Ford 460 a good motor?
Those 460's make power like a diesel, and start better than a diesel, and run on cheaper fuel. They don't last as long, don't get as good of fuel mileage and aren't as easy to build on, but a lot of people will argue that the 460 was Ford's best motor.
Is a 460 a big block?
Some engines have a storied history that spans generations. The Ford 460 big block is one of them. This behemoth power plant has been the heart and soul of fast cars and tough trucks in the golden age of muscle.
Is the Ford 460 v8 reliable?
Owners praised the reliability of the 460 engine, with some reporting mileage well beyond 250,000 miles, but potential concerns include leaks and failures in components like the timing cover and water pump.
Is the 1997 Ford 460 a good engine?
The Ford 460's 7.5-litre engine was one of the most reliable and powerful engines in Ford's history, and it served many customers well for many years and miles. By taking good care of your engine, you can extend its lifespan and enjoy its benefits for longer.
Is a 1996 Ford 460 a good motor?
Those 460's make power like a diesel, and start better than a diesel, and run on cheaper fuel. They don't last as long, don't get as good of fuel mileage and aren't as easy to build on, but a lot of people will argue that the 460 was Ford's best motor.
How many liters is a 460 Ford engine?
7.5 liters
The 460 Ford engine has a displacement of 7.5 liters or 459 cubic inches.
Is the 460 v8 reliable?
Owners praised the reliability of the 460 engine, with some reporting mileage well beyond 250,000 miles, but potential concerns include leaks and failures in components like the timing cover and water pump.
1997 Ford F460 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford F460 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Ford F460 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1997 Ford F460 complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Ford F460.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-11-21
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHEN DRIVING IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR, VEHICLE DEACCELERATES. IN ADDITION, WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF OF GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE DIES OUT. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Ford F460 problems:
Common 460ci Issues and Problems and Solutions - Ford Truck ...
Jan 31, 2016 ... Not to derail the 460-love-train, but there are a few notable issues with them: The oil cooler is a very common failure point. You'll end up ...
1997 Ford 460 No MIL, no fuel pressure or spark. Please help - iRV2 ...
Oct 10, 2018 ... Common problem, BAD PCM. Make sure the ICM you replaced was a black one. The gray one is the wrong one. 10-10-2018, 06:56 PM. Soppy. Join Date ...
Any common 460 EFI problems - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Jul 6, 2009 ... Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460) - Any common 460 EFI problems - Im looking at getting a truck with this motor, ...
Q&A: Ford 460 Exhaust Manifold Warping - Resurfacing Tips
Nov 18, 2009 ... i have a 1997 f superduty 460 motor the problem i am having is the exhaust manifold bolts do not stay tight on the cylinder head the loosen ...
inherant 460 problems? - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Aug 6, 2009 ... common problem. jim henderson's Avatar. jim ... love my 97 (not super duty) 460 old but good ... Tags 1993, 460, average, common, engine, ford ...
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