the FT continued until at least 78. the 370 lima engines began in 79. I wasnt aware of overlap, since I grew up in CA, and all I ever saw were 370/429s. my 77 F-700s were 391s
The 361 in a industril verson of the 360. Its in the FE family. They also made a 391. Its got diffrent heads intake and exhoust manifolds than the standard FEs. Also the crank is heavier and the block has thicker cylinder walls. The downside is it is the same bore and stroke as the standard 360, it will last forever and be a dog the whole time.
Leadmic
The FT really only shares the block with the FE and even then most are thick walled high nickel content blocks. Its what every FE nut dreams of when they start a build up.The FT line up was the 330,359,361,389 and 391 engines.
The 361 is NOT an FE engine in any way shape or form.
It's an FT engine and shares very little with any FE engine.
FT engines: 330 M/D / 330 H/D / 361 / 391
The 1964/67 330 M/D uses the FE 352 crankshaft.
The 1968 and later 330 M/D's use the FE 360 crank, but the block and other internal parts, and the heads are 330 M/D only.
The 330 M/D (MEDIUM DUTY) shares next to nothing with the 330 H/D (HEAVY DUTY)...two different engines, only the CID is the same.
The 361 and 391 each use their own unique short block, not shared with any other FT engine.
The 330 H/D, 361 and 391's use the same heads thru 1971, but the 1972 and later 391's use different heads.
My sources are FORDPARTSCATALOGS, coupled with over 35 years of Ford parts counter experience.
Where do you get your info from?
You are correct it is an FT which are based off an FE.
The heads and intake are diffrent, but not that diffrent. They will interchange between the two as will the cranks and blocks with only minor changes.
You can use a FT 391 block as a 428 replacement because its one of the only blocks (out side of a original 428 block itself that are getting hard to come by) FE or FT that will allow you to bore it enough to fit 428 pistions because of the thick cylinder walls.
Numbersdummy I appreciate your knoledge and the great information you supply, but in reading many your of post you seem to have the same problem that I myself suffer from, that is to react and jump on someone for slight miss information. The reason I dident say Ft was because their basicly the same design engine, and not too many people have herd of a FT. The FTs were just adapted from the FEs for a med. duty truck they have the same bore and stroke same head configuration all the sheetmetal will bolt from one to the other the rocker shafts will intercahnge water pumps are diffrent but will bolt from one to the other the cams will interchange, timming chains even the fuel pumps will fit. I know about this because I have a 428 that I built using many FT parts. Even the 370-429 limas were adapted from a 385 series motor for med. duty trucks. All of my info was correct except I left out the FT. Maybe Im taking your posts wrong, if so let me know.
Leadmic
Just drove it home to the ranch.. what a beast.. better than I hoped.. zero rust ....
as described... its in excellent condition and hasnt been messed with one bit.. other than all the fire department mods
I thought it was a total dog... until I realized the tank was full with 4k pounds of water...
and about 2-3k lbs of gear they left on it...
The 361 does have 2 charcol cannisters as one poster described it probably would.. sticker says complys with heavy duty emissions for 1979
How many times in life to you get to buy a fire truck!!!!
Now the fun begins..
Last edited by Notmeofficer; 01-15-2008 at 03:18 PM.
I went through all the paperwork tonight..everything is there.. including the original ford build printout
Per the build list he engine is a 370 4v.. not a 361 as I thought and they told me
The build sheet says (verbatim)
F661 176.4 " chassis
Silver metallic
Engine 6.1L/370/4v
Custom cab
Tachometer
Trans clark 285v 5 speed
Axle 17500 Rockewell H172
Power steering
Dual stainless steel mirrors
HD rear brakes
Vacuum reserve tank
Tow hooks
70 amp alternator
Extra cooling radiator
6 9.00 x 20 tube tires traction tread
Special order 46 2240
6 Group 5 TRD
Many things were added post factory.. theres dual batteries..a 250Amp leece Neville alternator.. and a bunch of solenoids relays switches fuse blocks.. a/c wiring etc...
The generator started right up and powered all the lights and plugs...
To make it totally sano I will do some wiring work...on the fire stuff... looks like the carb is leaking so a rebuild kit will handle that.. and a new exhaust... the modified one doesnt meet my expectations
The truck doesn't seem to have a lot of power..but it does lug pretty well and accepts full throttle without complaint.. it is cold blooded and likes the choke to start
It needs a floor mat and a seat... the floor mat as I understand it can be from any f series.. the cabs were all the same.. is this correct?,,, and a dome light lense.. the original looks melted in the center... lots of ON time I imagine... all the knobs and handles and plastic are excellent
I think it will take me a week just to grease it and get all the fluids changed... there are probably close to 50 zerks
Its a score.. and a nice piece of FORD history
Thanks for any help/comments any of you provide
I forgot to add..
the front axle is a ROCKWELL FDS 75 HDX 92.... the tranny has a driveshaft to the tranfer case..the transfer case has a driveshaft out the back to the pump/pto and out of the pump comes a short driveshaft to the rear end... they dont appear to be in straight lines.. obviously this thing wasnt intended to be a freeway flier.. but its pretty quiet nevertheles.. considering all the stuff moving around
Im looking up locking hubs as we speak,, I think Boyce Equipment specializes in them for the Rockwells.. that will help some of the rolling road noise from all the big stuff whiring around
Ill see if I can read the sticker tomorrow
Last edited by Notmeofficer; 01-15-2008 at 10:34 PM.
My first thought when I saw this was Cool Truck! but what good is it like that ?, but when I read that you were going to Mod it, Now you have my attention ! I would like to see this thing Modded out, I think you should shorten up the wheel base as well. I would definitely like to see more on this, so please, Post up more on this build ! Don't listen to the purist that want it left as is ! build something Cool out of this old war horse ! PLEASE!!!!
You are correct it is an FT which are based off an FE.
The heads and intake are diffrent, but not that diffrent. They will interchange between the two as will the cranks and blocks with only minor changes.
You can use a FT 391 block as a 428 replacement because its one of the only blocks (out side of a original 428 block itself that are getting hard to come by) FE or FT that will allow you to bore it enough to fit 428 pistions because of the thick cylinder walls.
Numbersdummy I appreciate your knoledge and the great information you supply, but in reading many your of post you seem to have the same problem that I myself suffer from, that is to react and jump on someone for slight miss information. The reason I dident say Ft was because their basicly the same design engine, and not too many people have herd of a FT. The FTs were just adapted from the FEs for a med. duty truck they have the same bore and stroke same head configuration all the sheetmetal will bolt from one to the other the rocker shafts will intercahnge water pumps are diffrent but will bolt from one to the other the cams will interchange, timming chains even the fuel pumps will fit. I know about this because I have a 428 that I built using many FT parts. Even the 370-429 limas were adapted from a 385 series motor for med. duty trucks. All of my info was correct except I left out the FT. Maybe Im taking your posts wrong, if so let me know.
Leadmic
The Internet = it's either the best source of information ...or not.
12 years on the internet spent correcting mis-information.
I may come across as an azzhat, sorry...but that's the way it is, and at 63 + years, I ain't gonna change.
After typing several posts in this thread explaining what FT engines are, I then see a post that sez otherwise. Ppl confuse the MEDIUM DUTY FE based 330 engine with the HEAVY DUTY FT based 330 engine...two different cups of tea that share next to nothing..except cubic inches.
__________________ Bill / Retired Ford Partsman 1962-1997 / Ford Historian / SoCal Chapter Member.
Part Number Research: Trucks: 1928/2002 / Cars: 1928/1979
1963 Galaxie 500XL / 1965 F100 Styleside Pickup ~ Original Owner / 2008 Fusion S / 2008 Edge SEL
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4X4 
TOTALLY INCORRECT! 
/ 2008 Fusion S / 2008 Edge SEL
