Hi All, I just have a question about a 361 not sure if it's an fe or ft but I was wondering about these engines, I have a chance to possibly get one and am wondering is there anything different I should know about this engine, will they bolt up to a c6 tranny? will the exhaust manifold bolt right up to the original exhaust? I have a 351C in my truck right now but it could use a rebuild and I have a chance to get this 361 completely redone with high performance go parts for cheap and is complete carb to pan, thanks in advance.

 

A 361FT will not bolt to a trans for a 351c. Different bell patterns.

You can find a C6 for an FE and then fiddle with a flex plate to make it work.

The exhaust will not line up either.

A 361 redone with high performance parts--That would be a neat trick. FT engines have small valves, low compression, heavy flywheels and rods, and were never designed to spin much over 3800 rpm. If someone took an FT block and put FE performance parts on it, that would be interesting, but imo, I would not buy a "hi-po" 361, as I would be pretty sure it was either just a stocker, or a bomb waiting to go off, or an old pickup 360 with chrome valve covers....

I would insist on a full teardown and parts list if I was to pay more than scrap price for such a beast.

 

the ft blocks will accept pretty much all fe bolt on parts. an advantage to teh ft is it is a heavy duity fe i.e. thicker cylinder walls and reinforced block. look for the mirror image 501 on the front of the block under the left head. my engine is a ft with 390 fe heads, crank, rods, cam, ect. 361 ft has the same standard bore as a stock 390 fe just shorter throws on the crank. so basically if you can find a fe donor engine 390,428 ect you can build an engine that can withstand more than your standard fe. also with the thicker cylinder walls you can bore it bigger. stroker kits are avaliable to turn it into a 462 ci for about $1500. right now with my fresh build (1000 miles+/-) it dynos at 432 hp/509 ft lb tq. that is with .30 over pistons which makes 395.4 c.i. it is bolted to a C6 and a jag independant rear with 2.88 diff. the truck will smolder the tires from a rolling start. just get going about 10-15 mph and mash it and hold on while the smoke and rubber flies! and on top of that on the highway running a steady 75-80 mph (in wv mind you) im getting at last check 10.7 mpg. i expect it to get even more once the engine has some more miles and loosens up.

 

While most would think of an FT when 361 is mentioned there is an Edsel 361 which is a solid lifter FE motor. It could be redone with performance parts. It has the same bore & stroke as the 360 but was not the dog that the 360 is. As far as I know it was only made in 58 & 59 for the Edsel.

 

The 361 will not bolt to a 351 tranny
the 361 has Different heads...smaller ports and valves than a 360/360
(less absolute power)
Different intake
Different oil pump shaft size
Different timing cover
Different accesory brackets
Different crank snout
Different intake
Different exhaust than a 360/390
Different crank flange
Different Oil pan as it is a Huge Full length pan..might not fit your application
Differnet distributor shaft size
Different pistons..Full skirt

Will it bolt into a Ford truck or car..YES...stock 361 exhaust manifold will not work

Low Performance Low RPM engine for Heavy loads and Low RPM torque


The block can be used to build a Normal 360/390

1952

 

Ok thanks for the info, I think maybe I will leave this one alone, don't want to start to look for another tranny for it.
This engine accually came from a University and is still hooked up to an engine stand that has a turn key, gauges, the exhaust, and the radiator on the front so it can be started, was used for classroom demonstration I assume, has all the origainal factory stickers all over the valve covers and everything else, probable says if its an fe/ft somewhere, don't know if was ever even installed in a car. Also has a large holley carb on it and what looks to be differerent distributor and wires as well, just no transmission.

Probably could get it for around $600-$700 but not sure if I want to start changing a whole lot just to make it work while I rebuild my cleaveland.

 

Hi guys i have a 361ft c6me-a block pistons are silvolite 3144d ,with c8ae-h 16 hole exhaut heads with a edebrook intake a 600sq bore holley on it

 

what about a distributor?

 

And old thread here with lots of misinformation, FT rods are the same as FE's for one. Blocks are the same with the exception of the hole in the block for the distributor shaft. FT had a larger hole that can be bushed to use an FE distributor.