Is there a way to tell the difference between a 360 and 390 just by looking at it or is it all in bore and/or stroke??? Any help is GREATly appreiceated. YOU GUYS KICK BUTT!!!!!


TIA
Mike

 

All the 352/360 crankshaft's that I have seen have a large half circle cut out of it on the backside of the crank flange, I beleive for ballancing. and I have never seen this on any other FE (possible the 332)

 

Without sounding too dumb, can i ask what an "FE" is??

 

It isn't dumb question. It is a question that will never be answered fully. The evidnece stacks up in favor of Ford-Edsel. Though this is disputed be some it is excepted by most. It could stand for The periodic table of elements sign for Iron. As all FE's, from Ford were Cast Iron, but that doesn't mean they a pure Iron. It is said that Fe stand for Ford Engine or Fairlane Engine. Some say Fast Engine, and other wayout things that use the Acronym FE. Hope this helps explaina few things.

And to your original question. No, there is no way to tell simply by looking at the outside. The casting numbers and the size shape and color are all the same from a 360 to a 390, at least in the years 360's were available.


Scotty

 

"And to your original question. No, there is no way to tell simply by looking at the outside. The casting numbers and the size shape and color are all the same from a 360 to a 390, at least in the years 360's were available."


Scotty [/B][/QUOTE]

I am not sure what you mean by "the out side" Scotty but you can sure tell by the back flange on the crank when the crank is still in the block, with trany removed, and oil pan on.

 

The early 390 cranks had the half-moon too. I think it was for clearance to machine the last throw (4,8) on the short-throw FE cranks until they realized the 390 throw was out of the way enough from the flange that they didn't need it.

Just a guess though.

Barry

 

Well, see here's my prob'..... Im going to most likely buy thins truck a guys selling 200 miles south of me. It's a 1969 Camper Special that his dad bought from the dealership.. Only thing is I dont think he knows much about it, to my kowledge the CS had front discs, i asked him and he said he thought is was all drums but wasnt sure.. So my other thing is, is he sure its a 390 in there and not a 360??? I really wnat the 390 ive owned it before and really liked it... But see this guys dad ordered thius trcuk in 1969, so was it possible to order this truck with all drum brakes even though its a CS 390 if it IS a 390?? cause th 360 in 1969 came with drums all the way around, see what im saying??? I guess im just being weary that this guy is lying about the motor being a 390 when its a 360 to be a SELLING point. any more help is GREATLY appreciated.......

 

The 390 in a Camper Special had a mandatory option for disc brakes. The 360 in a Camper Special did not require the mandatory option but the buyer could have ordered disc brakes anyway.

Barry

 

see that's exactly my thought BBB... Is there much of a power difference between th 360 and 390???

Mike

 

The fourth digit in the VIN will tell you the origional motor. A "Y" is a 360 and a "H" is a 390.

After all these years he could have swapped in a 390 though.

You can tell a difference in the torque between a 360 and a 390 although I've driven built 360's that weren't too bad. Why don't you test drive it and see if you like it.

Barry

 

Wow, thanks alot BBB, This really helps!!

 

I was going to toss in the VIN designation thought as well. It is just a qiuck phone call to the seller and you "may" have your answer, considering he is the original owner.
--MG

 

This isin't an answer to the post, but, about a year ago, I was at the local Ford dealer's parts window picking something up, and just to make small talk with the parts manager I asked him what motor he likes better, a 460 or an FE-block motor. He asked me "What the hell is an FE-block? Now this guy had all these "parts excellence" plaques and awards on the wall. I don't go back there anymore. I knew about FE-blocks in the 4th grade!

 

12 replies on how to tell the difference and no one has mentioned sticking a piece of wire or a dowel down a spark plug hole and cranking the engine over with a wrench marking the wire/dowel with a marker and measuring the distance between high and low marks?????? 3 1/2" is a 360 3 3/4" is a 390

 

FE427, or it could be a 427, same stroke as the 390, use the casting number if you can get to it (even though one has the same as the other at times)!