Rebuild or replace 390
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Freshman User
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From: Snow Hill, NC
Rebuild or replace 390
So guys, I have a 390 FE that came out of a 1968 Ford F350 Crew cab dually. When I got the engine it was running. It has a new distributor, coil, Holley carburetor and new spark plug wires It also has an Offenhouser 360 intake. I believe it spun a main bearing and the engine is now stuck. Should I try to take the engine apart and rebuild it, or would it be better and cheaper for me to get a long block? Im on a tight budget as I am currently in college.
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What are you going to do with it--you say it came out of a '68. Your '68 or are you putting it into something else?
FWIW, I would tear it down and see if it is fixable. That way, you may have slightly more value than a core, or you can at lease prove it's a fixable core.
IMO this is not a budget engine, and running one certainly isn't a budget item either.
FWIW, I would tear it down and see if it is fixable. That way, you may have slightly more value than a core, or you can at lease prove it's a fixable core.
IMO this is not a budget engine, and running one certainly isn't a budget item either.
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From: Snow Hill, NC
Sorry, its going back into the truck. Im probably gonna pull it and tear it down. I just have no idea how much it would cost if I need to get it machined. I plan on using it mainly as advertisement for my fathers landscaping business, I want to be able to drive it long distances to meet customers, pull trailers with equipment etc. I think it would attract alot of attention when it is restored and lettered up with our company name. I am just trying to get it on the road now though, to use around the farm, haul hay etc. I do have a tandem axle trailer from '75 that I think would go well with it, but I do not know what kind of loads these engines were designed to pull.
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Not sure on the specifics of your GCVWR, but a 390 will pull plenty if you can feed it.
The pickup motors used the 410 piston, resulting in a slightly (about .100) down the hole piston and low compression. If you are going to haul heavy loads, you might as well rebuild it to that spec.
Machine work, as in doing the overbore, shouldn't be that much. Although I can see how it would add up....
pricelist
Once you see inside the motor, you can plan from there.
The pickup motors used the 410 piston, resulting in a slightly (about .100) down the hole piston and low compression. If you are going to haul heavy loads, you might as well rebuild it to that spec.
Machine work, as in doing the overbore, shouldn't be that much. Although I can see how it would add up....
pricelist
Once you see inside the motor, you can plan from there.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Harper, Your FE engine from a 68 350 is most likely a 360 not a 390, even though they look the same on the outside. The stroke on the 360 is about 3 1/2in while the 390 is 3 3/4+ .
Your engine is a great puller, don't know what 85s rub is.
Does this FE puller give you anything to work with?
You going to State?
John
Your engine is a great puller, don't know what 85s rub is.
Does this FE puller give you anything to work with?
You going to State?
John
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From: Snow Hill, NC
jowilker, thanks for the pic. Im guessing its a 390 because of what the door plate says. I haven't had the chance to pull a spark plug and check the stroke. I am attending State btw. Go Pack!!! i plan on pulling the engine over christmas break and tearing it down to see it it is rebuildable. If it isn't rebuildable, would i be better off to get a salvage engine from a local yard or get a long block from Advance Auto or another parts store?
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What are you talking about?
"........but a 390 will pull plenty if you can feed it." Is this not a positive affirmation of pulling power?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Harper, You posted "Im guessing its a 390 because of what the door plate says" what does this door plate say that causes you to believe?
I would take the block to an old machine shop either in Goldsboro, Kinston, or maybe Greenville that knows older Ford truck engines. I don't know who's who in your area but maybe your dad or some of the older neighbors do. I would stay away from a parts house reman. Finding a rebuildable 390, rebuilding it and doing a swap might save you time. I know from 2 sons at State (now grads) Christmas break is not very long. You can sell your old engine for what you have to pay for one to start with the project.
I did a little looking on Craigslist.
Jacksonville: Ford 390 V8 and matching C6 Transmission - $300 (Orange Park)
I have a 390 motor for sale. I have no idea what's wrong with it, I have the matching Transmission to go with it. It is an Automatic Transmission. I jus want to get it out of the yard. My number is (904) 446-7466. My name is Chris
John
I would take the block to an old machine shop either in Goldsboro, Kinston, or maybe Greenville that knows older Ford truck engines. I don't know who's who in your area but maybe your dad or some of the older neighbors do. I would stay away from a parts house reman. Finding a rebuildable 390, rebuilding it and doing a swap might save you time. I know from 2 sons at State (now grads) Christmas break is not very long. You can sell your old engine for what you have to pay for one to start with the project.
I did a little looking on Craigslist.
Jacksonville: Ford 390 V8 and matching C6 Transmission - $300 (Orange Park)
I have a 390 motor for sale. I have no idea what's wrong with it, I have the matching Transmission to go with it. It is an Automatic Transmission. I jus want to get it out of the yard. My number is (904) 446-7466. My name is Chris
John
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From: Snow Hill, NC
I read an article that showed how to decode my VIN number. And d it stated that the fourth digit specified the engine. My Vin Has a "H" which would specify that it has a 390. A "y" would specify a 360. I do unerstand that the truck could have a non-original motor in it. Everything else about the truck that i decoded from the VIN has been correct so far, but i wont know for sure till i tear it apart.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Hmmm, Maybe, I didn't think 390 were offered in 68 F350s, but I could be wrong.
Get a small white jacket wire about 6-8 in long, place it in a front spark plug hole, rest a Sharpie against the wire, and with one finger on the end of the wire to keep it tight on the piston, have a bud rotate the engine a couple revs at the crank nut with a socket. Then measure the length of the mark.
John
Get a small white jacket wire about 6-8 in long, place it in a front spark plug hole, rest a Sharpie against the wire, and with one finger on the end of the wire to keep it tight on the piston, have a bud rotate the engine a couple revs at the crank nut with a socket. Then measure the length of the mark.
John
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From: Snow Hill, NC
I would do that but the engine is seized. I found a donor truck on craigslist for $1900 with a running 390 in it in youngsville. I emailed the guy and havent gotten a reply. If I can scrape my funds together and if the trucks still available, I might try to pick it up. It is a ranger and has factory air. Might strip the parts I need off and sell the rest. Might get most of my money back like that hopefully.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
That's up near me, not bad for the truck but too much for the engine. Look you already own the engine now, why not rebuild it and start out with a fresh power plant for your corner of dads business.
If I were looking long term I wouldn't do it any other way. You just indicated you are willing to spend the money. Talk to the old heads around you for advice on a shop to do the work. You could be rocking & rolling by New Years.
John
If I were looking long term I wouldn't do it any other way. You just indicated you are willing to spend the money. Talk to the old heads around you for advice on a shop to do the work. You could be rocking & rolling by New Years.
John
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From: Snow Hill, NC
Im looking some other parts suchh as a bed, a grille, and some other parts. That truck also has thr factory a/c. So the engine isnt the only reason why I woild buy the truck. I am worried that I would buy the truck and like it too much to rob parts off of it. 
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From: Snow Hill, NC
Im gonna start searching for machine shops around my area. I think there is an old shop in Kinston my Grandad used to use back in the day. Ima try to look them up again. My grandad had his fair share of engines rebuilt too. He was hell on an engine.