Small displacement and the valves are pretty small. They can't take a very big overbore. Like all small block Fords the cylinder walls are a bit thin. Also they have a 5 bolt belhousing so that might limit tranmission choices [like a C-4] some. It will cost as much or more to rebuild than a 289 or 302 but you don't get the added cubes. I had one in a 63 Fairlane and they're not terrible but, not usually thought of as a performance engine. I guess all this sounds rather negative. But hey the very early Cobras had 'em before the 289 was available, and they respond to the usual hopup technics. Better heads would help a lot.
You can put a C4 behind a 260 with a one year only bellhousing. It came on 65 289 5 bolt block. I have one if you want a picture and they turn up on Ebay once in a great while. If I had to do again for my 64 Ranchero (with a 260) I'd build a 289 or 302.
They are a bit limited by the small inches. But with a good set of heads and the right cam you can rev the bejesus out of them and they sound really cool at 7500. The only way I'd build one though was if it was already in the car with the best transmission of choice and therefore it was a money saving thing. Otherwise go 289-302
Like someone has pointed out, they have the 5 bolt bell, 65 was the first year for the 6 bolt (and it has stayed that way since). If you're gonna build a performance motor, why not do a 289, or a 302 they're visually identical other than a timing pointer on 302's (all the 260 stuff in interchangeable)
I think the 260 in a Falcon is pretty cool. The 289/302 is much better though. Save the 260 for later or sell it. It's worth something.
i don't know much about sbf's....this post just reminded me about the about the Falcon Sprint my cousin had back in the 60's....260 with a four speed ,in my memory it went like hell
As 36-3window mentioned, the 260 engine Sprints are a fun car to drive and run good. As far as spending money on performance, the only reason I would do that is if I needed the 260 CI for a certain cl*** in racing and I guess there isn't much chance of that. Otherwise I'd just do what most others said, bolt in a 302.
I would get a later 302 out of a Gt Mustang or similiar car that way you have a lot newer engine and a roller cam
I had a 260 in a 64 Fairlane. It was a very good running dependable engine. I know that Shelby used to sell cams and such for them. If it was mine and running good, I'd stick a bigger carb on it, and a mild cam in it. I wouldn't go nuts trying to make lots more power though. It probably would be easier to use a 302 as a base to build on.
I swear by my 260!!!---Of course its not the 260 that came in the p***enger cars, I bought mine from Carroll Shelby in 1964 when he was located in Venice, Ca., FOMOCO had just came out with the 289 & Shelby was pulling out the 260's from the Cobras & replacing them & continuing to race at all the popular sports car events. By a stroke of luck I purchased one of five 260's that had just been yanked out from the Cobras. All 5 motors were intact with the exception of all outside equipment, intake & exhaust manifolds, ignition dist.,oil filter, alternator, coil etc. I guess you could call it a LONG BLOCK!. Shelby guaranteed all of the 5 motors were in excellent running condition, so I picked one out & they loaded it into my pickup & I was one happy camper!! When my 32 roadster was finished in 1968 (6 yr. project), I have been driving it ever since, & that 260 Cobra motor has never failed me yet at 300,000 miles!!!----Sure, I've replaced some parts, water pumps, valves, cam, timing chain, pistons, but still the same original bore!! Nowadays with all the focus on GAS MILEAGE, I usually cruise at 75, but if I stay below 70, I can get an honest 25 MPG, so, again, I'm very happy with my 260!!!---------------Don
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