Ok guys here is what I want to do. I have a 1974 F100 2wd short wheel base truck. I just put a 302 in it last year and got the truck on the road. Yesterday I found a 71 or 72 Ford truck with a 390 auto in it. It is the camper special model and it is a long wheel base. All I want it the 390 motor and the trans out of it to put in my 74 F100. What I want to know is will the motor percheres work in my 74. I know I will have to change mine out b/c from what I've read that the small block perches will not work. I just need some advice from you guys on what all I need to get from the 72 so I can put the 390 in my 74. And will my drive shaft out of my 74 work with the trans fro the 72. They are both C6 transmissions but are they the same length. They trans in my truck know is a C6 also. BTW it you guys need any parts for a 70-72 is is a very good truck with good parts on it. I just dont want the truck b/c of no room here at the house. My ignition is set up like a 79 model truck is with the ignition box on the inner fender. Will I need to modify this someway so the 390 will run or can I leave this alone. Thanks for any help at all. Scott
Scott, Have you verified that it is indeed a 390 or is that what the seller said. While it can be a 390 most FE installs were 352s & 360s. They all become 390s on sale day.
The drivers side perch needs to come from a 73-76 pickup with power steering. They have a bend in them to use with the power gear.
If both C6s have slip yokes the exchange should be the same & work.
John
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In the cool still quiet hours of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
I just went and looked and the motor has the tag on it but I know the tag can be put on. It is a 2 barrell motor and the truck is a 1970 model. I'm going to go back and get the numbers and make sure thats what it is. I'm getting the perches to off the 70 model so can I use them on my 74. The perches in my 74 are out of a 79 that had a 302 in it. You said the drivers side perch needed to come from a 73-76 pickup with power steering. Do they have to be for a big block or can I use small block ones. Or why cannt I use the ones out of the 70 model truck and bilt them in my 74. Don't laugh I'm just trying to learn here. I didn't think the c6 from the 302 would work on the 390.
Having a tag is a good thing. I would do the ol white wire in the spark plug hole while rotating the engine a couple revs. while holding a Sharpie against the wire. Then measure the length of the mark made.
The non power steering drivers side perch will hit the power steering gear, so the reason for the suggestion. Or you can cut a notch in the perch. Those are the options.
No the C6 is engine family specific. Your question was about drive shaft fitting, my reply was that if both had slip yokes the drive shaft will work.
John
__________________
In the cool still quiet hours of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
I see what you are saying now about the yokes on the transmission. My fault I misunderstood you. I see what you mean about the perches to. Thanks for all your help. I'm sure I'm going to have some more questions on this as far as being curious on this motor swap. Is there a site I can go to, to compare horse power and torque on these motors or ford motors in general. Thanks again Scott
Why the big erection to change the motors out? I love the FE, and if I didn't already have all the parts that I do wouldn't swap in a FE engine. I would recommend going to a EFI 460 with an OD tranny behind. You can get a behemoth engine with the overdrive taming it somewhat for daily driving.
John
__________________
In the cool still quiet hours of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
I'm not in a hurry to do the swap, but I only drive the truck in the summer and to cruise inns. I want something to play around with plus drive at the same time. All the 302 is good for right know is to just drive. I had a 66 Fairlane GT with a 390 in it and that car was fun to drive. I know a F100 isn't a fairlane but it will be fun to drive with a good running 390. I have got everything I need to do it and a whole winter of nothing to do. The only thing I need to work out now is the ignition system on the motor. My truck is set up like a 79 model, my distributor does not have points in it. I like that set up. I quess I could buy a distributor like the one in my 302 to go in the 390. My dad needs a motor and trans for his 46 ford truck so I figured I would help him out to. A 302 is all he wants so it works out for both of us. Scott
You can buy a DuraSpark distributor for a 390 at any parts house. The harness plugs right back in. I don't prefer the "FE" motors, but to each his own.
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