Convert FT To FE?

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Old 06-24-2010, 12:43 AM
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Convert FT To FE?

locked up my 389 XD in my 1977 F750. will a 352 out of a pick up bolt in place of that 389 ft??
 
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Old 06-24-2010, 01:15 AM
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No.

Engine mounts are different.

Bell is different.

Flywheel is different.

Crank snout and balancer etc different.

Exhaust manifolds probably different.

You might be able to adapt it. But it would take a side-by-side comparison and swapage, and some reworking.

I'd fix the 389 if it's fixable. jmo.

And then it's a 352--how tired is that motor?
 
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Old 06-24-2010, 10:10 AM
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If you can find a 330MD timing cover, and don't mind playing with exhaust piping, it's possible.
 
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Old 06-24-2010, 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Krewat
If you can find a 330MD timing cover, and don't mind playing with exhaust piping, it's possible.
Forgot that detail. Good point. May have clutch and pilot bushing issues though....???
 
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Old 06-24-2010, 10:04 PM
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Anybody wana buy a 77 F-750 LOL. thanks for the advice guys.
 
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Old 06-25-2010, 08:03 AM
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Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
Forgot that detail. Good point. May have clutch and pilot bushing issues though....???
Yup, pilot bushing is different inside diameter for the bigger trannies, I've heard. Clutch, well, that's another problem. Can't use the FT flywheel on the FE because of external/internal balancing...
 
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Old 07-16-2010, 07:34 PM
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This might be a dumb question but here it goes.... If a person was to mix parts of said engine with internal and external balance would it just shake the fillings out of your teeth or only be drivable up to a certain rpm? I am guessing maybe it would shake it self apart? Taking into consideration the same machine parts. I always wondered about this more out of curiosity than anything.
 
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Old 07-16-2010, 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Krewat
Yup, pilot bushing is different inside diameter for the bigger trannies, I've heard. Clutch, well, that's another problem. Can't use the FT flywheel on the FE because of external/internal balancing...
Think I will speak up on this one since I have done it before.

I pulled a 330 M/D engine and took the flywheel, clutch, pilot bearing, pressure plate, and release bearing and swapped it directly over to my 352 FE with no problems, runs real smooth. The 330 M/D doesn't have the forged crank like the 330 H/D so the flywheel doesn't have counterweights.
 
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Old 07-16-2010, 09:23 PM
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Seems to me I remember something about the FT dist shaft hole in the block being too large and a bushing has to be pressed in to use an FE dist...and vice versa.....or maybe I'm thinking of some other engine...

Not that it matters for a swap unless you want to use a certain distributor.
 
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Old 07-17-2010, 08:56 AM
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Talking FT to FE

It depends on the FT that you have the diameter of the distributor shaft. 330 MD's have the same size as a FE. Also the crank, flywheel , bell , pilot bushing all interchange. Some of the larger FT's use the large distributor shaft, but there are a few exceptions , you must check size to be sure. For certain any big snout FT has a weighted flywheel and should not be used on a FE. FT bells will bolt to any FE, pilot bushings/bearings are available for either crank. The front mount from a 330MD will let you mount a FE into a chassis where a FT was. Early FE's from pickups and 1 tons are also a source for front mounts. You can use a FE flywheel for the conversion , but it will possibly have to be drilled for the larger clutch assembly. If you weld the crossover up on a set of FT manifolds they can be used on a FE. Typically a FE will work OK in a heavier truck but long term durability is an issue, they don't last as long if loaded heavy. They have a tendency to valve burning and recession. FT's use a heavier piston with 4rings , but FE's use a lighter piston with 3rings. This leads to less durability. If your goal is a show truck or a
lighty loaded or occasional use truck , then a FT to FE will be an OK choice
I've done this swap many times, mostly with good success, if you have any questions let me know.

Have A Great Day-----------------Hotwrench
 
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Old 07-17-2010, 06:47 PM
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All the 330MD info is good, but keep in mind the OP has a 389 (391) which is not going to swap for a 352....

Anyone have a 391 or 361 laying up under the bench that you need to unload? Send a PM to the OP....
 
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Old 07-17-2010, 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Lvcrprts
This might be a dumb question but here it goes.... If a person was to mix parts of said engine with internal and external balance would it just shake the fillings out of your teeth or only be drivable up to a certain rpm?
I once took a perfectly "stock" 360, used the flywheel and balancer on a 390, and it shook like a MF. It's obvious when you mix the parts. Dunno why that 360 had an externally balanced flywheel on it, maybe it began it's life as a 361. Don't know. Just know that mixing the parts, you WILL know it's wrong. And it'll take the bearings out if left too long.

Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
All the 330MD info is good, but keep in mind the OP has a 389 (391) which is not going to swap for a 352....
Except that using a 330MD timing cover and other parts will help you put an FE in where an FT used to be. For instance, use a 330MD timing cover with integral motor mount, and you're able to bolt a 390FE into where an FT fits, like an F600.
 
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Old 07-17-2010, 11:02 PM
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See the next two posts about the pilot bushing.
 

Last edited by 85e150; 07-18-2010 at 04:32 PM. Reason: remove wrong info
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Old 07-17-2010, 11:53 PM
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You mean a 330HD pilot bearing, meant to fit the "FE" cast iron crank and the "FT" tranny wouldn't work?
 
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Old 07-18-2010, 07:13 AM
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Talking Pilot Bearing

As discused 330 MD's use a 360 crank , its the same crank that is in thousands of pickup trucks . Therfore a pilot bearing for a 330MD will fit into a 360/390 FE as they are the same diameter. Hollander interchange on a 330MD/FT crank is as follows #209 fits A B & C interchange by including timing chain sprocket B is heavy duty.

A. C4AZ6303 cast# EDD, EDT, COAE-B, C3AE-A, C4AE-A
Edsel 58/59 Ranger / pacer 8-361
Edsel 60 8-352
Edsel 59 8-332
Ford Pass 8-352 8-332 58/63 includes Merc 352 61/62, T bird 352 58/62

B. Ford Pass 60 8-352 Special

C. C4AZ6303L cast# C4AE-E or 2T
Ford Pass 8-352 64/66
Ford Tr. 8-330 MD 64/up
Ford Tr 8-352 65/67
Interchange # 401 C8TZ6303A cast# 2T
Ford Tk 68/72 8-330 8-360
Ford Tk 73 8-330
Ford Tk 8-360 before ser # Q80,001
This is just a partial listing I can provide more info if needed if you need part #s for pilot bearing let me know.

Have A Good Day----------Hotwrench
 


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