Hello all, 2 days ago my wife and I took the plunge and bought a '66 F100 styleside long bed. I have a couple questions and hope that FTE with help us through this process. It has the 390, I did some research and it looks like this may have been the first year this engine was offered, could it be the original motor? What issues should I expect with this engine? Aside from LMC truck are there other resources for parts? Thank you for your help.

Tim

 

Hey Tim, my HS auto shop class is in the process of doing the same thing. We`re farther along, new paint, modified 390 (came w/a 352 but I believe a 390 was offered) LMC, National parts Depot and a couple other vendors have everything you need. Email me at tpcmoto@att.net and I`ll fill you in on our build.
Tim

 

The 390 was first offered in the truck in 1968, along with the 360 - which is a slightly bored 352. The 352 was the only V8 offered in the F100 between 1965 and '67. Are you SURE the engine is a 390? Only way to tell is by measuring the engine's stroke as all 352/360/390 blocks are externally identical. 352/360 stroke is 3.50 inches. 390 is 3.78 inches. Most experienced FTE people don't really recommend LMC parts. Many of them don't fit properly. Dennis Carpenter is especially good for door/window seals. National Parts Depot is generally good. Carolina Classics is another. There are several to choose from, but I wouldn't put LMC at the front of your choices. And welcome to FTE.

 

We purchased the 390, sold the 352. LMC along with NPD, and JDM is helping us with some very generous discounts, remember this is a High School Shop build and besides the Collectors Foundation grant we have to make every penny count, schools don`t fund these deals. I have to pound the pavement and had to make a ton of phone calls to make this happen, plus teach 5 classes daily. With the shops closing all the time we`re lucky to be able to do this. It`s not like when you and I were in Auto Shop. Honestly, I have to promote and develop partnerships with these people. Believe me, they see how important these programs are plus it helps them sell parts also. I have to make promises and stick to them.

 

The FE block came out earlier then 66 but was offered as the 352 in 65 and 66. You would have to measure the bore like everyone says to be sure. and the large 352 on the block isn't going to tell you. The 390 is a very popular motor and is fun to drive and modify. Pics would help as then we could tell you what we see and also give better tips on how to repair or tweak things.

LMC is the lower end of finding parts but they are decent enough. There is also carolina classics along with Dennis Carpenter that also make some great products for these trucks. I personally have a 66 and love seeing what these guys on these forums do. You should check out the build threads and the galleries to get ideas on what you would like to do with you're truck.

There are also many modifications you can do to make your truck more "modern" power brakes, front disc conversions, power steering conversions and the like. You will that all it takes is time and money, but imho the trucks are totally worth it.

 

Yeah, we`ve done the research and measurements and know it is a 390. It wasn`t in the truck when we bought it, had the 352. Bore, stroke, crank ID etc. Part of this project requires the students to learn how to determine what it is and is it correct to the way we wanted the build to turn out. This isn`t our first build, we have a 1969.5 Maverick pro street that turned out really nice and show it regularly, All Ford show at Knott`s Berry Farm twice, cars and coffee, in Irvine (these are Ca. venues) and more shows. After the truck we have a documented 1928 Ford roadster 1/4 mile, and salt car that will be brought back to life.

 

352 B&S: 4.00" x 3.50" ~ 1958/67 Ford Passenger Cars, 1965/67 F100/350.

360 B&S: 4.05" x 3.50" ~ 1968/76 F100/350.

390 B&S: 4.05" x 3.78" ~ 1961/71 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars, 1968/76 F100/350.

 

Thank you Bill, we`ve found the engine has been bored 0.40 over also. On another point we encourage guest speakers and with the current technology we can talk to each other from around the world If you have a computer with a camera Skype is a valuable tool. Would love to set up some speakers - volunteers anyone? Would need to be someone who has or is in industry or built a truck like we`re attempting. Bill, if you`re still in So. Cal. I`d like to talk to you

Tim

 

I hope you didn't take my comments personally. God knows we need you, and what you do, and the students you produce, in a big way. I appreciate what you're doing and how difficult it is to do. Having said that, I did want to alert you to the fact that many FTEers have found a higher percentage of "don't fit properly" parts from LMC than from other suppliers. Obviously, many/most of their parts must be acceptable or they couldn't stay in business. I have no axe to grind against LMC. I bought some parts from them when I rebuilt my '66 - and I returned some. And getting duff parts can be a learning experience for your class. Can you modify them to make them work, or do you have to return them and try something else? I hope it all works out for you. Good luck with your project.

 

Santa Monica native, now living in Hacienda Heights. Sent you a P/M with my home phone number.

 

Of course I didn`t take it personally. I appreciate any feed back from you guy`s. Believe me, I`ve had my fill of the re-pop crap from across the pond. "Mr. Chambers, this part doesn`t fit right - well lets look at it, I`ll show you what to do and you modify it to fit and look good" This is how they learn, trial and error. Hell, that`s how I learned. Threw away a lot of supposed replacement stuff that just didn't`t work. I stress OEM if at all possible. Nobody these days teaches these kids the most important lesson - common sense. If it doesn't`t fit then something isn`t right. Pretty simple concept but you would be surprised at the lack of patience that these kids display. I do my best to help these kids not only in car repair but life lessons as well.

Tim

 

Sounds like a great class, Tim!!! Kinda makes me want to be in school again! I learned tons from my dad as we built various cars when I was a kid but many don't get that opportunity any more. And it's great that you're making "common sense" part of your curriculum!!! For the current generation it seems they've now have a "digital gene" in their DNA but most often, the "common sense gene" didn't get passed down!!

Anyway, best of luck with the class and post up some pics of the truck you guys are building. We'd love to see it!

Randy

 

Thanks Randy, I`ll make sure to post pics and update as we move along. It`s a slow process when you`re dealing with 100 different kids and a 100 attitudes that go with them!!

 

Thank you all for the tips. I am sure I will have more questions as we start digging into this project. Do the masses have a preference for engine rebuild parts?

Tim

 

If you think the kids are bad.... the old guys on this forum are worse, usually you can get a kid to listen after he screws something up once, these guys are so old they don't remember it didn't work the last three times they tried it with a bigger hammer..... this morning. Well, maybe I am just speaking for myself.

Good luck, sounds like a great project. Taking mechanical and electrical shop in high school has saved me a lot of money over the years, a lot more than chemistry and pre calc. I had to argue with the vice principle that even though I was enrolled in "college prep" I wanted to take the shop classes, he told me I was wasting my time. Of course, I was a kid and didn't listen. LOL