FE FACTS! please
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Quaker Hill ,CT U.S.A.
FE FACTS! please
This is still bothering me does anyone have a book or first hand experence with 390's from the dealer (factory) in a 4x4. I really find it odd that they didnt put these in 4x4's (according to everyone here) I would like factual information or your experence with buying a 4x4 with a factory 390. I really dont belive they were not put in due to warrenty issues . But Hey if I am wrong send me in the right direction !
Jon
Jon
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
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From: Brea CA
FE FACTS! please
Well, I know 66 Ranger(?) here went with his dad back in '69(?) to the dealer to order a 390 4x4 and they said it was not available in the 4x4's. Maybe he will see this post and elaborate.
In my dealer brochures up to '76 the biggest optional engine available in the 4x4 is the 360.
Barry
In my dealer brochures up to '76 the biggest optional engine available in the 4x4 is the 360.
Barry
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 451
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From: Balfour
FE FACTS! please
I met an old guy that bought a 1970 250 4x4 new, he tried to get the 390 and they just wouldn't through one in for him. Ford just didn't want to do it,they wouldn't tell him why. I think it's warranty related since the 4x4 has a more fragile drive line with free floating slip yolks that are half the size of the 2wd yolk. A 390 or bigger in a 4x4 can get a bit outta hand
compared to the tamer 360 4x4. I know I definitly wouldn't be sluggin it through the mud in second if I had a 390 in my highboy.
compared to the tamer 360 4x4. I know I definitly wouldn't be sluggin it through the mud in second if I had a 390 in my highboy.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
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From: SW Michigan
FE FACTS! please
I'm thinking we already solved this one. The 4x4 trucks came with the 352s first, then the 360s. Whether it was really a warrany fear on Ford's part, or was an availability issue, why does it matter ? There are lots of 390 powered 4x4s around. Some of these are from cooperative dealers, many more are from owners who wanted the extra snort. Who cares ? Just be happy that the 390s are still cheap and easy to find. And with the new cranks out from Scat, if you don't want a 390 or a 410, a 440 could easily be built, and it drops right in were that 352 or 360 was ! Life is good for the FE guys now. Enjoy ! DF
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Quaker Hill ,CT U.S.A.
FE FACTS! please
Not to sound condensending but before I asked the question I did a search and came up with somthing like 200 posts ,Well I was'nt about to look through 200 posts to get the answer .
Also FE's are not avilable in my neck of the woods .
Why does it matter ? It really doesnt matter as my 360 does what I need it to do , I just wanted to know a little more about the 390 and 4x4 trucks . I think the "idea" about the drive line breaking is a crock of you know what . People drop 460's in 4x4 trucks and they are not having problems with broken drive line parts . Just my opinion on the subject
Jon
Also FE's are not avilable in my neck of the woods .
Why does it matter ? It really doesnt matter as my 360 does what I need it to do , I just wanted to know a little more about the 390 and 4x4 trucks . I think the "idea" about the drive line breaking is a crock of you know what . People drop 460's in 4x4 trucks and they are not having problems with broken drive line parts . Just my opinion on the subject
Jon
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8
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From: beaverton us
FE FACTS! please
I have a '77 F-150 that a previous owner put a '74 390 in. I have had what I believe to be some valve train problems, but the truck has no problem handling the motor so far.......of course I haven't had the oppurtunity to really play with it just yet. 
I intend to have the heads rebuilt shortly. I'll let you know how it works out after the engine is back together. My last ford was a '76 with a 360. Personally I prefer the 390. Even with a dead cylinder or two it runs stronger than my 360 ever did. Good luck with whatever you do to yours. Fords are tough. She'll handle whatever you give her.
Jim
I intend to have the heads rebuilt shortly. I'll let you know how it works out after the engine is back together. My last ford was a '76 with a 360. Personally I prefer the 390. Even with a dead cylinder or two it runs stronger than my 360 ever did. Good luck with whatever you do to yours. Fords are tough. She'll handle whatever you give her. Jim
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 593
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From: Texas panhandle
FE FACTS! please
BBB...
You were pretty close on your facts. In 1972, I went with my dad to order a new F-250 4x4. We wanted a 390, 428 or 427
in the pickup. The dealer, who was also a good friend, called everyone he knew at Ford trying to get a bigger engine. He finally just gave up. The answer was just 'no'. No excuses or reasons. We ended up ordering the pickup with a 360. Later we intalled a 427 crossbolt engine with 1 4v carb. What a truck!! We drove it until Feb of 77 when a guy offered my Dad too much money for it and he sold it. That guy drove it for about 18 months and it got away from him, ending up on its right side. He parked it. It sat in a field for 22 years before I was finally able to get him to sell it to me. I have refurbished it and drive it weekly. The 427 had seized so I installed a 428. The tranny had rusted so I installed a NV4500, good move. The power train never gave any trouble that could be blamed on the engine. I think Ford was reluctant to install the bigger engines because there are lots of people who drive trucks belonging to 'someone else'(their boss) and they don't always get the care and consideration given by an 'owner operator'. Someday I'll get around to posting a pic of the truck. My Dad wants it back, ain't no way.
You were pretty close on your facts. In 1972, I went with my dad to order a new F-250 4x4. We wanted a 390, 428 or 427
in the pickup. The dealer, who was also a good friend, called everyone he knew at Ford trying to get a bigger engine. He finally just gave up. The answer was just 'no'. No excuses or reasons. We ended up ordering the pickup with a 360. Later we intalled a 427 crossbolt engine with 1 4v carb. What a truck!! We drove it until Feb of 77 when a guy offered my Dad too much money for it and he sold it. That guy drove it for about 18 months and it got away from him, ending up on its right side. He parked it. It sat in a field for 22 years before I was finally able to get him to sell it to me. I have refurbished it and drive it weekly. The 427 had seized so I installed a 428. The tranny had rusted so I installed a NV4500, good move. The power train never gave any trouble that could be blamed on the engine. I think Ford was reluctant to install the bigger engines because there are lots of people who drive trucks belonging to 'someone else'(their boss) and they don't always get the care and consideration given by an 'owner operator'. Someday I'll get around to posting a pic of the truck. My Dad wants it back, ain't no way.
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