So I had my 390, had to sell it. My current car got totalled, and so now im looking into the possibility of buying another truck. I found a 72 with a 360. Are these good powerful motors or are these dogs like the later 360s

 

From what I've read a 360 is a dog regardless of age unless it's had some work done, in which case why didn't they make it into a 390? Probably would have been cheaper too.

 

All 360s are low compression sunken piston motors. Pickup 390s also suffer the low compression, but the piston isn't quite as far down the hole and because the 390 was once a performance engine, they get a pass....

If you found a solid truck that's what you want, buy it. You can:

--run it
--add headers and duals or larger single exhaust--add a small 4bbl if you like. Same dismal fuel economy, a bit more power
--make it a 390/410/445. Same dismal fuel economy, tire smoking power.

 

I went ahead and bought it. It will probably find its way to being a 390 or 410 soon. But, for now it will just be the stock 360. Depending on what happens with a couple other things changes what happens with the truck.

 

360, designed to develop designed full power for extended times while remaining fully functional.

 

Back in the day, I had a college roommate who had a Ford Ranger with a 360. It got him from point A to point B very reliably...all the time getting him no more than 8 miles per gallon. I remember putting a fuel pump in the thing during the school noon hour with plenty of time to spare to easily get back to class on time. That included buying the new fuel pump.