Okay, I've got a Ford F-500 short bus with a 330 FT engine (at least thats what everyone thinks it is - either way I want to put a 390 in there). There's a 4 speed with a granny low, and the bus weighs 17,600 empty and I'll be using it to tow my jeep (about 6k total). If I put a 390 in there will I work it too hard and wear it out? Also, will the flywheel and clutch assembly bolt up to a 390 from the 330?

Thanks

Chris

 

You have to remember a 330 is a Industrial Ford its a oddball engine if you really want to make the truck pull try find a 429 out of a F-700 take the 5spd with it. You will have to build some motor mounts but you will have a far better engine and parts availabilty will be everywhere.

 

Well, from what I understand the 330 is an FT and virtually the same as the FE, so the mounting points on the 330 (this one has one motor mount that goes through the timing chain cover, the cover should mount to any FE and then the mount can attach to that - I think) would work, and besides being a stronger engine, I really want to find something with easier parts availability.

Someday I'd love to put a CTD in there....pipe dreams...

 

jp to answer your question. a 390 FE will swap right on over, but you need to have the flywheel turned into a zero balance unit by a machine shop. runs about 60.00 to do. the 330 is externally balanced and the 390 is internal. other than the flywheel it is a direct bolt in deal. you can even reuse that funky front mount from the ft on to the fe.

 

Great! I was hoping that was the answer.

Thanks for all your help

Chris

 

One thing I should add. The pulleys are going to be different, since the FT uses a larger crank snout. Be sure to get the pulleys and accessory mounts off the 390 (or another FE) to make sure everything lines up.

 

good point on the pulleys. i just figured he would have them.

 

I hadn't even thought to ask, but is this going to run on 87 octane fuel? My friend brought that up and I have no idea. I'm buying it from www. rebuilt-auto-engines. com (S&S engine, which was recommended by several people) so it's going to be a stock build, no performance parts.

I assume I'm going to have to buy a new intake manifold and headers, or could I re-use the ones from the 330? I heard they were restricted.

Also, where does a 390 make its torque?

Thanks again

Chris

 

I guess it depends on what 390 you're getting. If they rebuilt it like a stock truck 390, then it'll run on whatever you put into it. It's got low enough compression...

I'd call 'em up and see what the compression ratio is. They list 3 different 390's on that site. If you haven't ordered yet, call 'em up and get specifics on all 3.

You're going to need to find an exhaust manifold and intake manifold for your new motor, as well as possibly a timing cover.

Make sure you know exactly what you're getting, and what you need to get.

 

jp, they will all run on 87 octane. i would also opt to buy the car 390 engine it has a lot of power for the price. it runs 1,291.00 i believe. they will call you before the engine is built to confirm your order.

 

also the website is www.rebuilt-auto-car-engines.com

 

they also sell FT engines for 300.00 more. but the car 390 in the galaxie makes 300 hp stock.

 

The 330 FT medium duty uses the same crank as a 360 FE
so it has the small snout on the crank all the front pieces will swap to a FE. You can use the flywheel with no problems.
Good Luck Hotwrench

 

hotwrench,

i have to disagree with that statement. because it does not use a 360 crank it uses a 2TA forged steel crank with large snout and thicker flange on the rear just like every other FT engine.

 

F3GH, there are plenty of 330MD engines out there with cast cranks in them. I think JP will have to check the snout to see how big it is and then figure out the pulley situation from there. And what is this nonsense about 'thicker flanges like all of the FTs' ? The flange where the flywheel bolts to the crank is the same on the forged FT crank as it is in the cast FE crank. Have you measured any lately ? I did. DF