An aircraft mechanic has what he claims is a stock rebuilt 390 from a '76 f150 that he wants to sell. I asked him to measure the stroke for me (hes out of state)to make sure its not a 360. He measured it and told me it is 3.62'' or 3 5/8". He says he took a long screwdriver and marked TDC then BDC .Now I'm wondering exactly what hes got. The guy sounds very knowledgeable but could he somehow have miss-measured? Is there some combo of rods/cranks/pistons that would yield this stroke? Or is there an FT engine with it? Thanks

 

FT engines have the same strokes as FE.

There is 3.50 and 3.784 on either side of that. My guess is it's 3.50 and he's getting a little extra in there due to the angles in his measurement.

Check post 11 here for how to check the VIN for what the "original" engine was:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10415312

 

Bama, if this is the fella in Folkston Fl, stay away.
He claims he rebuilt it with the best of everything but doesn't know anything about it. If you were a 'master mechanic' and built an engine, you'd have all sorts of stupid details memorized and wouldn't need to measure the freaking stroke....

I could be wrong, but I'm guessing it's a junkyard motor that got a "krylon rebuild"

best of luck,
Dp

 

Have you seen any pictures and are SURE it's even an FE?

 

Yes Deep, thats the one, though hes in Folkston GA, not Folkston FL . The picture certainly appears to be an FE but that doesnt mean much. He contacted me today and said his screwdriver may have gotten "off in the side platform of the piston" and messed his measurement up one way or another(too long or too short). Huh??? Sounds like a 352 or 360 to me. I guess I will pass. Will probably rebuild my 360 with a 390 crank if you guys promise to help........

 

my bad.... I only remember Folkston when I drive from my house to Jacksonville....
If there weren't signs you wouldn't know if it was Ga or FL.

plus that was a 2v truck motor anyway. Krewat, yeah there was a picture, it was the classic rusty metal with paint sprayed over it.
I love Ford blue exhaust manifolds, it's the first sign that you are about to buy a bunch of bull****.