I have a new to me '69 F 100 Ranger with a 360 F E with a C 6 automatic, my question for you guys is do I work on the 360 [ it is a slug, has NO power ] or do I take the 390 my son is offering me and rebuild it? As far as parts laying around I have a set of long tube headers, a 280 HYD cam and lifters[ New ] I also have a performer Alu. manifold with a 670 Holley carb. I have a new Cloyes double roller timing chain and gears. would it be a waste to put this parts on the 360 or should I step up and put the 390 in it? The 390 is out of a '67 car, this truck will be my daily driver when I retire next year, what do you guys think?

 

The 360 is only slow because it is saddled with emissions equipment and is 45years old. I rebuilt one for my truck with a Delta Cams torque regrind, advanced it 4* with a Summit adjustable timing chain set, used an old S code 4BBL intake and Holley 600 I had laying around, and dual exhausts with fake Flowmasters. It ran great, sounded decent, and moved the truck and trailer quite nicely.

 

390 duh! Save the 360 for a core later when we need it...

 

Depends.

If the 360 is on its last legs then build the 390. However,if the 360 has good compression, low wear and doesn't leak all over the place, it will respond nicely to typical bolt-on upgrades as noted by Ford_Six above.

In order:
1. Headers feeding dual 2.5-inch mandrel bent exhaust equipped with free flowing mufflers.
2. 4V intake, 4V carb, and open-element air cleaner. For the street, stick with 600-650 cfm with vacuum secondaries. Add electronic ignition like a Pertronix I, II, or III.
3. Upgrade the cam, timing set, and install #70 Holley jets in the oiling galley under the rocker pedestal.

 

^^ do as HIO says and you will see that a 360 isn't as bad as everyone makes them out to be i have had my 360 to 130 mph and get on avg 16 mpg only thing i have over HIO's list is some home ported heads a 2" aluminum spacer and screen under my 650 holley and 2.78 gears in my 9" my old 360 is no slouch either with the high gears and all i work her hard and she refuses to quit

 

Gary, The 360 & 390 are the same bore block. The early emissions 360 uses a 352 rotating assembly, crank & rods, for the above noted reduced compression

Not sure if they all did, but most of the 360s came with hardened valve seats needed for the unleaded gas, something that will be needed on either set with the rebuild.

I have come to learn that headers are a good thing for these engines, but for a truck 500 CFM is large enough on the carb. larger ones pass unburned gas to the pavement through the exhaust. A good RV cam along with electronic ign. are must haves.

Hard to imagine what you call a slug, because the FEs are usually strong pullers. It is not going to turn up unless built for it.


John

 

My 68 360 did not have hardened exhaust seats ......If it were me I would go with the 390, when I recently rebuilt my 360 I was going to swap in 390 crank and rods if it needed machine work. I would have readily rebuilt a 390 if someone gave me one....

 

I don't believe they did hardened seats till 72?? the d2te-aa head.
That's covered tho. He's got a set of rebuilt heads with low miles on them ready to go on

 

no Brainer 390 more cubes is always better

 

emission equipment ? on a 69 should only have a pcv valve
it's a turd due to the low C/R if i remember right 172hp lol

 

Lol. You can polish a turd and then you will have a shiny turd.

 

In stock form, the 360 was rated at 215 HP and the 390 at 255 HP.

A difference of 40 HP which can largely be made up on a 360FE with headers, exhaust 4V intake, 4V carb and some tuning.... that's why my response was "depends".

 

Do the same upgrades that your gonna do anyway to my 390 and bam good to go pops! Decision made. Smile on folks

 

The advantage to building the 390 is it's already out of the truck.

 

2X ! Build while you drive. While it might be cool to build your 360 since most build 390s, I'd go 390. Dare to be different or go main stream. Look at the torque difference on Hio's chart. Torque is what gets a vehicle moving. HP keeps it there. And our Bumps aren't light. 'course I got a HEAVY foot and I'm not afraid to tow Anything with my Bump. How is yours?