I have a 72 L600 with a 390 and a five speed trans and a two speed rear. I was curious as to the adaptability of the five speed (390) to the 4x4 351m-400. I realize there is a difference in the flywheel housing bolt patterns, so I am mainly curious as to availability of flywheel housings and the possible transfer case attachment. Thanks.

 

are you sure that the engine is a 390 and not a 330 or 361 or 391 ? and the 5 spd should be a Clark and there is only one place that will take a clark and bolt up a transfer case to it ( Performance Gear of Lumberton, Ms (ph: 601 796 2026) )
you should be able to use the bell housing that was used for any 4spd !

 

I drove one of those--a rental truck. That 5er had a huge gap 3rd to 4th, and the shifter throw was about a yard.

Serving suggestion: horse trade that L600 stuff and adapt a ZF 5 speed to the 400. Bell to block pattern is the same as the 460, so you just need to find a 4x4 with a 460 as a donor. (easy for me to say).

There are a couple of other tweeks needed but check it out.

 

FE engines (352/360/390) were not installed in anything larger than an F350.

A 1972 L600 will have an FT engine, 4 different versions were available: 330 2V M/D (VIN code C); 330 2V H/D (VIN code D); 361 2V (VIN code E); 391 4V (VIN code F).

The engine code is the 4th digit of the VIN.

 

Thanks for the replys......This truck has a reman Jasper engine that shows 390 on the valve cover. I was not aware of the different engines for the bigger trucks. Good to know.
My thought was having an extra gear in the trans could allow a slightly higher gear in the drivetrain. I am probably better off with an overdrive and a little lower gear out back.
Different than norm is not usually better anyway......Thanks.

 

Hi new to the forum...

I inherited a 1972 Ford L600 and need help identifying the engine from the VIN number: N61EVN10129
If anybody has a manual or some more information, I would be really grateful.

Thanks

 

Check post #4 above. VIN code E is for a 361 2-barrel.