I just bought what I believe is an FE 390. Block casting number EDC-6015-C. I have researched and cannot find any info on that casting number. Can anyone please tell me what kind of motor I have???

 

Mainly because that number is incomplete. There needs to be a number between the E and the D. But the "E" is for 1980's and there were NO FE's made in the 80's, 1976 was the last year.

 

The EDC blocks are the early versions 58-60. The EDC-6015-C is a 352 block. Few listings show it as a 1960 HP block but you'd need to confirm that. I never had one that early myself.

 

I purchased complete motor for $200. Good deal?? How would i verify it to a 352??? The guy advertised it as a 390. Im not motor literate and this will be my first project so all the help i can get would be greatly appreciated.

 

352 has 4" cyl bore and 3.50" crank stroke. 390 has 4.05" cyl bore and 3.78" crank stroke.

 

FFR428, I'd rep you but just did yesterday, so I can't again

Check the crank casting numbers. It'll be obvious if it's a 390.

With a block that old, if it's a 352, and everything is original, the crank will be an EDD.

Ford FE Crankshaft Casting Numbers - FORDification.com

 

According to the book I have (George Reid High performance Ford) (which may or may not be correct) the EDC-C could be a 1960 high performance 352 or a 1958 or 59 Edsel 361 block. If it is either of these it is probably a solid lifter block. I am sure Bill will let use know for sure. I will try to locate the mumber on my 58 Edsel to verify if it is an EDC-C

 

Ok. I think i understand the concept...as you may know, this will be my first and I know little about mixing and matching parts to receive the proper displacement. I am assuming that the number on the crank will determine the motor....352 or 390?? Also, how do i know this is an HP motor or not?? There is a riveted tag on side from Cote Motor Company out of Boston that shows cam as standard, rods as 010, and bore as 030. So i guess I am confused. Any more advice?? Thanks for your time.

 

You can measure the stroke through the spark plug holes. Insert a wire at TDC and mark it. Move the piston to BDC and insert and mark the wire again. 3.5 = 352 or 360, 3.78 = 390.

The tag indicates a rebuild. Who knows what was put back into the engine.

 

Ok. So my research too has come up with it being a 352 HP block. If the stroke shows it as being a 390 then would it just be called a 390?? Or a 390 HP?? Or what?

 

If the stroke shows as a 390, it may be a 390, but as far as being "HP", who knows?

Not sure how accurate this is:

FE Series Engine Specification Chart

But it looks right based on my recollections of hours reading the owner's manuals of our '63 and '66 Fords, etc....

They do show a "HP" designation for the 390 in '61-'62. Not sure if those were solid lifter engines, but they show peak HP at 6000 rpm, well beyond the 4500-4800 of most all other 390s.

After all this time and a rebuild, until you open it up, you're not going to know.

 

Nope that wouldnt make it a 390 if it did have a 3.780" crank in it..It would make it a 352 with a 390 crank..352 has a smaller bore than the 390..

Glenn IIRC I think 61 was the transition year for the 352 to the 390...as 2 of my dads Buds way back in the day had alike gals...one was a 61 Gal...with an auto and a 352..the other that Frosty had was also a 61..but was ordered with the Hipo 390 and a 3 on the tree.. Oh and Frosty's had the pull out OD to boot..Black Laq. with Red Diamond interior...and chrome reverse wheels and baby moons..the Car was fast for the day...