390 Vs. 302

e_tietze · #1 (**permalink**) 03-15-2004, 11:54 AM

I am looking at purchasing a 1962 Ford Pickup. It currently has a 390 in it, but they also have a 302 sitting there for it. My question is this, I am wanting to use this as a street/strip vehicle and am wondering which of the 2 engines would be the better drag strip engine.

My first instinct is the 390, but I have always been a Chevy guy and don't know Ford engine quite as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mike G · #2 (**permalink**) 03-15-2004, 02:42 PM

Kind of like comparing a 283 to a 396... First off, make sure that motor in it is a 390. Because you cannot tell them apart visually from a 352 or 360 (or 428), they all seem to become a 390 on sale day... Check in the FE forum and search for stroke check. As far as the 302, that is a completely different animal compared to the 390. The 390 was one of Fords big blocks until 1977. The 390 is already in the truck, if you swap over the 302, you will need a new tranny to go with it. The 302 will probably be slightly cheaper in the end, but both can be made to pump out big numbers.

--Mike

e_tietze · #3 (**permalink**) 03-15-2004, 03:36 PM

My main concern is to make sure the 390 will have enough range to make a 1/4 mile a full throttle. I know sometimes Big Blocks have a ton of torque, but such a low red line that a small block will sometimes do better by the end of the track. I have owned a couple of small block Chevy & Pontiac motors and 1 Big block Oldsmobile, and by far preferred the big block.

Mike G · #4 (**permalink**) 03-15-2004, 05:55 PM

Check out the FE forum, quite a few guys runnin' their trucks there. You will also need to take into consideration your rear-end gearing. A truck is a truck, not really meant for too much 1/4 mile'n (although it is darn fun

)

--Mike

cyberfox · #5 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 01:38 AM

run the 390. just do your gearing right for the tork with out toping out to soon. you still need to be pulling at the speed trap.

RLKBOB · #6 (**permalink**) 03-16-2004, 10:54 PM

Neither. If you want a drag truck the 302 just won't give you the numbers and FE motors are too hard to get parts for and definitely way too expensive. Either get a big block 460 or stroke a 351W out to 393, 408 or 427. The small block strokers won't bolt to the big block trans in the truck but if it's a drag truck you're probably gonna go with a much better trans anyway. That's a pretty heavy vehicle so you need a lot of torque and strokers are perfect for that.

jrsroadhauze · #7 (**permalink**) 03-17-2004, 09:44 AM

I would go with the 390. I have one in my 76 F-250, see my gallery. Its a heavy truck, 5700 lbs. Last night I smoked a Dodge Hemi in a 2 block stop light to stop light run. The 390 i'm runnin has GT-390 9.2 cr heads, Edelbrock performer intake and a holley 750cfm carb. Cast iron GT manifolds and 2.5" all the way back.

Thomsen · #8 (**permalink**) 03-17-2004, 10:43 PM

I would go with the 390, right now you already have more power than the 302(if stock) and if you go to put that 302 in that truck you are going to have a huge headache.

ßrðthërßølt · #9 (**permalink**) 04-17-2004, 11:11 PM

I would go with th 390 as well , unless u are lookin for fuel mileage .
my 69 ford 1/2 ton ,p/u 390 headers ,r/v cam and edelbrock carb and
intake . I get around 6mpg w /farm gears and a after "66" c/6 tranny .
Both engines if taken care of are good performes ,th 289/302's/5.0's bein bullettproof .
I have a 86 mustang with 5/sp , can i put that transmission behind th 390 in my 69? anyone know?

Mike G · #10 (**permalink**) 04-19-2004, 10:31 AM

That tranny may be a little "light duty" to be bolted behind a 390. You will of course need to find you an FE bell housing and then all the clutch linkage to swap in the the stick...

Welcome aboard! --Mike G

ßrðthërßølt · #11 (**permalink**) 04-20-2004, 12:07 AM

thanks for th welcome . and i thought the same thing about the
light duty 5sp , but i was thinkin of fuel economy .this 390 is killin me
but i love it. i have all th clutch and stuff .. this truck originally had a workin 4 .
WILL I NEED A DIFFERENT FLYWHEEL?
i would be careful bout poppin th clutch tho ...lol
please excuse me im kinda new . what is an fe bell housin .i know what a bell housin is .

Mike G · #12 (**permalink**) 04-20-2004, 11:26 AM

Sorry 'bout that... The FE is the engine family the 390 belongs to (check out our great FE forum too). You will need the FE specific bellhousing and clutch. I believe someone may have moved over the 5-speed to a 390 (more so an aftermarket unit though), but most are running the heavier C6 trans as the trucks pump out some serious TQ numbers.

--Mike

Matts72 · #13 (**permalink**) 04-21-2004, 02:13 AM

the 390 would be good for draggin' it has a shorter stroke than the 460, and if you can find a 391FT motor, its got a Forged Steel crank, which will hold up to hard acceleration and torque a lot better than the NOD Iron stocker.

ßrðthërßølt · #14 (**permalink**) 04-21-2004, 04:24 AM

Hey thanks for th speedy comeback.,.i do appreciate you ...bitchin site by th way and alot of real help...hey come see me @ www.Flying-Circus.net
ßrðthërßølt™=FÇ=....tell em i sent you...then run like hell!!

Redneck-Cowboy · #15 (**permalink**) 04-22-2004, 01:44 AM

For godsakes keep that 390, that's about the best power engine ford ever made (Cubic in. to horsepower ratio) anyway. Why mess around with that little 302, in the end the 390, (for more money) will still come out ahead, then agian I'm a 4x4 man and I'm not thinkin strip, but still, those engines move. As for the tranny thing it shouldn't be to hard to come by a 2wd C-6, the 4x4 ones are hard to find. The only thing is, if you think you're gettin bad milage now, wait till you get that C-6, it's a tough tranny, but a low one.