Hi I need to find out if a 390 was either a factory special option or a dealer installed option in a 1965 or 66 f-100 or f-250 and if so how can i prove this was avalible?

 

Duane,

I believe the 352 was the only V8 the factory offered in the '65/'66 F100 and F250s. As I recall, the 390 was first offered in '63 Mercury cars. They never were offered in trucks until '68. So the 390 was around, just not in the trucks.
However, when you say, what about as a DEALER-INSTALLED OPTION? Well, all bets are off then...... some dealers would do whatever you wanted them to do as long as you were paying them to do it!

Good Luck!
BarnieTrk

 

thanks my sons in a mud drag class they are trying to kick him out of the class. he dominated it last season in a 65 that the former original owner swears the 390 was installed with a full factory warrantee from the dealer if we can somehow prove that was possible then were o k he can stay in the class

 

As best as I can tell, my truck (a 66) came with a 390, Dana 60, and overloads. They appear(ed) to be all factory installed, as opposed to dealer installed. I think the build sheet had the rear end and springs noted, but I can't remember if it said about the motor. I'll see if I can find it. That would be one way to prove a 390 actaully came in one. Maybe someone else has a build sheet handy?

 

Daune, Dealers have been known to swap engine before it left their lots. After 40 years it would be darn near impossible to say for sure.

Have you measured the stroke to verify that it is a 390. There is no visual means to determine the difference in a 352/360/390 engine. Some of the exotic car engines had different exhaust bolt patterns, or different intakes, but the truck engine were plain jane for the most part.

If you son is dominating the protesting will continue, the other guys want to win on occasion. If he want's to stay in the game he might have to go to a different class. IMHO

No Factory 390s.



John

 

The 390 was introduced in 1961, used thru 1967 on Passenger Cars only.

The first year the 360 & 390 were offered in F100/350's was 1968.

1965/67: The only V8 available on F100/350's was the 352 2V.

Ford did not offer the 390 from the factory as a special order on any F100/350's prior to 1968.

It was not available as a dealer installed option either, but a dealer could have installed one. But...IMO...that's doubtful.

Since 40 + years have gone by, who knows what's in there now.

Measure the stroke to see what you have:

352/360: 3.50" // 390 = 3.78"

IF a dealer had installed a 390 in a 1965 or 1966 F100/350...there is NO WAY = NONE...it would have been covered under the factory warranty.

In fact...it might have VOIDED the factory warranty!

Dealer installed accessories back then were covered for 90 DAYS, or 4,000 MILES...whichever occured first.

But...any modifications to the original powertrain...would not have been covered.

btw: If Limited Slip was ordered, the 1959/67 F100's came with Dana 44's, not 9" rear ends.

1961/67 F100: The Dana 60.2 was an option, it was available with or without Limited Slip. These 60.2's have the same wheel bolt pattern (5.50") as the 9's and Dana 44's.

RocketMonkey28: What is your trucks VIN, AXLE & DSO code?

The VIN, AXLE & DSO code are listed on the Warranty Plate, which is located on the left door face below the latch.

The VIN is also on the registration.

 

thanks for the help the engine doesnt have to be the original one I just have to prove the possibility existed that a 390 could have been factory installed or dealer installed then find someone who had this done. Or a dealer who did so Only 1 is all i need then hes good to go thanks again

 

The other option is to build a 352. I know that seems like a step backwards, but if you are creative (opps, did I say that out loud) you can build a stout 352 that will pass any tech. As mentioned, the heads, etc, are all the same appearing, so you can pick a head and intake (if stock is required) with any earlier date code. There where some very good heads, maybe not the best, but good heads earlier on. Might be worth checking into. Alot depends on the class rules. I'll get the tag info later today and check the numbers. I wish I could find the build sheet. But I think the DSO also indicated my truck was ordered with that rear end. And like you guys say, the motor thing was probably possible, but not likely. I have to say, this stuff is interesting...

 

Why not just tell em your wrong and it's really a 352? Let them tech it and check the stroke and insist it's a 4.00 bore x 3.50 stroke 352. .250 stroke is hard to pickup on depending how they measure it. And how do you know everyone else is playing by the rules? I am sure they are not.

 

The DSO code has nothing to do with RPO's = Regular Production Orders.

The Dana 44 and Dana 60 were optional, so both were RPO's.

The AXLE code will determine whether it came with a Ford 9 inch, Dana 44 or Dana 60.

There is no way...today...to decode a special order DSO code for 1965/66's, because all the records were tossed out in the early 1980's.

So by stating the DSO code decoded to something special is im-possible to determine.

martiauto.com bought all the records from Ford in the late 1980's, but Marti has nothing for 1965/66 or earlier cars/trucks, as Ford had already tossed that info out.

IMO...the 390 motor thing is also quite im-possible!

Besides myself, how many other FTE members were Ford partsmen or who had Ford factory or dealership experience in the 1960's?

AFAIK: N-O-N-E = NONE!

Speculation by others that Ford factory or dealer installed 390 engines in 1965/67 F100/350's is just that...speculation.

 

is it possible that his truck was brought into a dealership after it was bought and had the swap done? would that count since its dealer installed the engine? if that still counts its time to call the previous owner. but #dummys right, i just have possibilities not realities to give ya.

 

i KNOW this wont help ya a bit.. but my machinest use to work in the ford service department back in that era... it's simpily amazing what he tells me that they got away with ... he was also sponsored by ford in a drag racing program... when they ordered cars they got them less motor... interior.. insulation... etc..

his own personal car was a car he ordered less motor/trans... he then installed the cammer motor in it at the ford dealership.. so anything is possible when your dealing with stuff that happened BACK THEN.. unfortunally it's hard as heck to prove.

 

Is the engine supposed to be a stock displacement engine or a stock engine. If the latter, what would be wrong(?) with saying it's a 352 with a 390 crank shaft?

 

IF and when the OP posts the VIN...that will tell what engine was factory installed.

Posting the DSO code will tell...when decoded....whether the truck was a special order...or not.

Vehicles ordered with special equipment not usually factory installed, or ordered without an engine, transmission, or whatever...have a special DSO code.

Without this information, everything stated in this thread about a so-called 390 engine being factory installed in this truck....is pure speculation.

And considering all the speculation...why hasn't the OP posted the VIN...since this thread is now 5 days old?

 

And are verified to not have a letter in the VIN for the engine and no stamp under the trans.....As they were not, uhhh street legal.....

A good example is the XL.

It has a blank for the engine as it left the line at the plant with no engine or transmission and was delivered to Dearborn Tube for the 427 and top loader and other racing only modifications. The DSO for this truck is also a "Home office reserve"

Did 390 make their way into trucks. Yes they did, But Ford was quite **** about warranty and it was not offered as a factory option. An as Bill stated would not honor it. Some other people from dealers back in the day say it happened on special order for ford bigwigs only but i Agree with Bill. Under fords normal ordering system it did not happen.

Garbz