Difference between the V8 460 cu-in (7.5L) and the 402 cu-in (6.6L) in a Lincoln Mark V

[yfdu51]

Hi guys,

This is my first post here.

I am about to buy a Mark V from 1978 (new paintings, new chrome, ...) in France.. It is beautiful, it has just 13k miles and is like brand new...

I am just worried about the engine which is not the famous 460 ... but the 402 cu in (6,6L). It has only 166 HP (against 210 for the 460..) and has of course less torque..
I drove the car just 5 minutes and it seems the engine was fine enough to carry the car (i guess i did not try to push the car fast... it is made to drive peacefully anyway).
What is your experience between the two engines in terms of reliablity ? in terms of torque/power to carry the car ?
Just afraid it is less reliable than the 460 in the long run and does not provide enough power to carry this heavy car...

Sorry for my english mistakes
Thanks a lot in advance, I do not want to make a bad decision.

[CrownVic95]

Originally Posted by yfdu51

Hi guys,

This is my first post here.

I am about to buy a Mark V from 1978 (new paintings, new chrome, ...) in France.. It is beautiful, it has just 13k miles and is like brand new...

I am just worried about the engine which is not the famous 460 ... but the 402 cu in (6,6L). It has only 166 HP (against 210 for the 460..) and has of course less torque..
I drove the car just 5 minutes and it seems the engine was fine enough to carry the car (i guess i did not try to push the car fast... it is made to drive peacefully anyway).
What is your experience between the two engines in terms of reliablity ? in terms of torque/power to carry the car ?
Just afraid it is less reliable than the 460 in the long run and does not provide enough power to carry this heavy car...

Sorry for my english mistakes
Thanks a lot in advance, I do not want to make a bad decision.

I agree with you - the Mark V is a beautiful car and one of my all-time favorites, but I've never owned one.

The 460 has a much better reputation and is no doubt the preferred engine for the Mark V, but finding one exactly as you want it (color, condition, options, price) AND the 460 can be difficult. I personally wouldn't rule out buying a 400 if I could negotiate a compensatory lower price.

[GnomadAK]

Putting the 460 into the Conti was more a move to keep up with Caddy than real drivability. As the other guy said, if it drives well enough for you and, the big question, if you can price it based on the 400 I wouldn't let it get away.

I don't know if we in the US could find a 1978 Conti with 13K miles, are you sure it isn't 113K miles? But if you like it, don't let the smaller engine dissuade you. It might be easier on your gasoline budget.

And for the record, your English is very good. You must have been an English major or an exchange student!

[rbohm]

both are good engines, the 460 is preferred though. they are two different engine designs, the 400 being essentially a tall deck 351c, and it can be made to make decent power for not too much money. the 460 on the other hand is pretty much an earth mover. i had a 74 marquis with the 460, and i swore that if i had enough traction, i could change the earths rotation.

[BostonMike7]

[quote=GnomadAK;44863253
I don't know if we in the US could find a 1978 Conti with 13K miles, are you sure it isn't 113K miles?[/quote]


I'd definitely make sure it's not 113K. New paint with only 13K? A skilled detailer probably could have brought the original paint back to life.