It turns out my 360 that was to become a 390 was actually a 352 with a broken wrist pin/grooved cylinder and already bored 60 over to boot! After tearing down 2 worthless junkyard blocks, I found a good 390 (I had the machine shop measure the crank) and am proceeding.
But now I'll have a 390 with 352 heads.
This is in a '69 Short-Bed 4x4, granny 4-speed and 3.50 rear. I want it to be a long-lasting, low-reving, stump-puller - not a racer. I'll be using a so-called "RV" cam (I don't have numbers) and also be changing to a new small Carter 4 barrel (500-600?) on top of an old T-bird 390 (I think!) manifold that I can get cheap.
How much difference is there between 352 and 390 heads, and will it make much difference with a cam that's going to top out around 4k anyway?
Thanks
MB

 

What's the casting number of the heads. It's located between the center two spark plugs.

 

The heads are

C8AE H

MB

 

Those ARE 390 heads (unless they were on eBay, then they would be 428 heads.)

 

Cool, Thanks BBB.

By the way, is there a standard eBay conversion factor or is it like fishing: "not all sellers on eBay lie, it's just a lot of liers sell on eBay"?

MB

 

I think it’s how much you can get away with on eBay.

On the heads, C8AE-H were also used on 360’s and 428’s but once they are removed they all become 428 heads. Same deal with the big port oil filter adapter that became standard for all ’68 and later FE’s. Once removed, they all become 428CJ oil filter adapters with a premium price. You just have to know what you’re looking at.

Barry

 

Yeah ebay is crazy. You can really find good deals sometimes but there are a lot of scams out there. They are always pointing out scams on the other FE forum.

 

What the person really wants to know is how it is going to work. The book I have shows these as 1968 360, 390, and 428 w/air 68.1-71.1 cc heads. Otherwise standard issue and as they all were with granny it will pull stumps just fine unless you are looking for more. Then there is a million combinations. PS if your standard heads are not in good shape leave a note. I have a couple of pairs cheap.

PS is ebay really that bad??? I am looking for a set of FE factory manifolds that look like headers. I just found out on the other page that they will fit with a little frame modification. Any help.

 

6772fordtruck,

They have some of the original cast shorty headers on eBay right now. they usually go for $400 if they are in good shape.

Back to the head casting numbers, what book do you get the information out of. I have Steve Christ's book and he lists the C8AE-H only on the 360.

Thanks,
Bob

 

Did I read correctly that the same heads were used on 360's, 390's, and 428's? I was told, and then always thought, that 428 heads were different and hard to find. If they use the same heads, is it just a different crank and bore? Can I safely convert my 360 or my 360 that became a 390 to a 428 without having to get new heads? Any info would be very helpful, thanks, and Happy New Year.

Matt

 

Not to belabor the point, but I found a site with lots of Ford casting numbers. Since I can't cross check with another source to check the accuracy, I hoped one of you guys with the good libraries might give it a glance. It would be a good referance for the rest of us if it's right.

http://pliverman.home.mindspring.com/index2.htm

In fact it shows C8AE-H heads as '68, 427cid hydraulic lifter / side oiler (whatever side oiler means)

Thanks for the help!

MB

 

I have a book titled "how to rebuild your big block ford " by Steve Christ. On page 55 (unless I am misreading it) it says that C8AE H is 68 std. 360,390,428. As far as making a 428 out of a 360. With the right mixture of fe parts you can make about anything. Really the combination are limitless but be careful.Buy this book.

 

After deliberating for a few minutes. I may be wrong. My book is a 1983 version and the application for the heads in question is not listed. I assumed that the application column just carries down from the above. This is the mistake I made. It sounds like Bob may have a more current copy of the same book with the application listed. Sorry for the confusion.

I would still recommend the book. The difference in FE's 352, 360, 390, 428's is greatly described and again the combinations are endless.

I am in the same boat with MB. Does anyone have a recommended combination. My father and I mixed some 360/390 rods and pistons once and I rough calculated close to 10-1 compression. I ran well but hard to time and start. Ran like #### though. I cant remember the combination.

 

C8AE-H heads were one of the most popular low-performance heads used on the FE (I can hear TP coming now). :-) They were used on the 360, 390 and 428 engines including the police interceptor starting in '68. Be careful about casting numbers from books and online sources, they all have their mistakes, even Christ's book. I have not seen his revised edition but it's still the best FE rebuild book out there IMO.

Barry