The 360 is the same block & bore as the 390. It uses a 352 crank & rod set, so to upgrade the rods must also be swapped with the crank.
All FE blocks have identical bell patterns, there is a C6 FE bell, so your friend could have a C6 on all of his engines.
I run a C6 in my truck, I gave the ol 3spd st. drv. a toss. Damn a full size Ford truck that can't shift it's own gears is my policy.
John