This FE stuff is confusing.?!

[AzSlugger]

Hello all I am a recent ford convert, have owned Chevy's all my life. I have just acquired a 1973 F-100 390/c6 2v with 64,000 original miles. the question I have is thus, What can I really expect out of this truck longevity wise and dependability? It will be used mainly for a hunting vehicle and weekend cruiser as my employer has graced me with a company vehicle for the Monday thru Friday grind. Now I will be toting around a cab-over camper but loaded as lightly as possible.

Oh did I mention it is a one owner and I got it for 1500.

John

[NumberDummy]

Originally Posted by AzSlugger

Hello all I am a recent ford convert, have owned Chevy's all my life. I have just acquired a 1973 F-100 390/c6 2v with 64,000 original miles. the question I have is thus, What can I really expect out of this truck longevity wise and dependability? It will be used mainly for a hunting vehicle and weekend cruiser as my employer has graced me with a company vehicle for the Monday thru Friday grind. Now I will be toting around a cab-over camper but loaded as lightly as possible.

Oh did I mention it is a one owner and I got it for 1500.

John

Welcome to FTE

390 = one of the best engines Ford ever made.

C6 = the absolute best, most dependable auto transmission Ford ever made.

The 9" rear axle in your F100 = the best rear axle Ford ever made.

1973/79 F100/350's, one of the most popular, dependable and long lasting truck models Ford ever made.

[JBradley500]

yeah with a 4bbl carb and headers you will have a very very solid truck that should never let you down....

the only thing you may ever have a problem with is a push rod or rocker shaft going on you, but its so easy to change on these anyway.

oh yeah, is it a 4x4 or 2x4?

[AzSlugger]

She's a 2x4 with a 2bbl carb I think I want to leave it as a 2bbl gas prices and all


John

[NumberDummy]

Originally Posted by JBradley500

oh yeah, is it a 4x4 or 2x4?

No 390 4WD's produced after 1972.

4WD: 240 I-6 = 1973/74 / 300 I-6 = 1973/79 / 360 2V 1973/76 / 351M/400 = 1977/79.

No 460 4WD's till 1983.

[AzSlugger]

One thing bugs me if the 390 is the BEST engine ford ever made why then do they not produce them any longer?

Also does anyone know how many 390/c6 2v shortbed dual tank factory a/c F-100 were produced in 73?

[NumberDummy]

Originally Posted by AzSlugger

One thing bugs me if the 390 is ***ONE OF THE BEST***engines ford ever made why then do they not produce them any longer?

Also does anyone know how many 390/c6 2v shortbed dual tank factory a/c F-100 were produced in 73?

I said ONE of the best engines Ford ever made, not the best. That's open to conjecture.

Ford doesn't list production figures for all those specs: 429,664 F100's were produced in 1973.

FE engines introduced in 1958, cancelled after 1976. 390 introduced 1961.

Why no more FE's after 1976? = Fuel economy, upcoming emissions requirements would be my guess.

Replaced by the 351M/400 in 1977. Neither engine is worth a damn, IMO.

1975/82 351M/400's: Both were smogged up terds that were prone to cracking cylinder heads.

[AzSlugger]

I had a friend who enlisted my assistance in building a 351w for a 67 cougar once that was a pretty impressive engine. It is a shame they killed the FE I love the bottom end grunt this truck has way more than any Chevy I have owned.
John

[JBradley500]

i didnt know that about the 4x4 390 thing....

next time i go looking at one, and people tell me its a 390 ill know better.

[AzSlugger]

I have heard that the FE series were true 90deg v8's and in so being were torque monsters but scant o the horsepower after driving this I could almost believe it to be true.

[NumberDummy]

Originally Posted by AzSlugger

I have heard that the FE series were true 90deg v8's

Not really, in fact...FE engines are Y blocks.

No one refers to them as such, but when you look at the block, it's obvious.

[NumberDummy]

Originally Posted by JBradley500

i didnt know that about the 4x4 390 thing....

next time i go looking at one, and people tell me its a 390 ill know better.

On sale day, all 352 & 360 engines magically become 390's.

How to tell = measure the stroke: 352/360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78"

The 4th digit of the VIN is the engine code, and while engines get swapped around, the code tells what was in there as original.

1968/76: H = 390 2V / M = 390 4V (1974/76 only) / Y = 360 2V.

[tankrsc]

scant on HP ever heard of the Thunderbolt. Dominated drag racing for a while powered by a 428 FE. The 427 was a special FE but it was one mean son-of-a-gun in NASCAR. Falcon F/X cars were all FE cars and they did very well. The FE is a very good motor that can do several things well.
The 390 with a stock intake and 4bl carb will get slightly better milage than the 2bl if you keep your foot out of it. I made the swap in my first truck (75 F-150) and got about 2mpg better. Plus you have the extra when you need it. Headers are higher on the list though, these motors want to breath and the stock manifolds don't let them do it. You can get the long tubes from Autozone fairly cheap and you will be surprised at the difference it will make. I wont make any claims on HP increases but I promise you will feel the difference. Keep it in tune and she wont let you down.

[AzSlugger]

It already has the headers. I do apologize for the misinformation I was told. Like I said this is my first ever Ford vehicle I was in the world of chevy's all my life it wasn't until my dad, a life long Chevy man bought a Ford and I saw what it could do that I even considered it. That being said it looks like I have to re-learn all the things I used to know.lol

John

[NumberDummy]

Originally Posted by tankrsc

ever heard of the Thunderbolt. Dominated drag racing for a while powered by a 428 FE.

Uh...the 1964 Fairlane Thunderbolt was powered by a 427, not a 428.

The 428 wasn't introduced until model year 1966.