391 Block?
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
391 Block?
Does anyone know of a 391 FT block that is available? Or, maybe a whole engine? I know of a truck that is needing to be put back in service but the block is cracked.
Thanks in advance! And, as an intro, I hang out in the 335 Series and the 80-86 Forums. It's been a long time since I owned a 390 in a '72 Camper Special.
Thanks in advance! And, as an intro, I hang out in the 335 Series and the 80-86 Forums. It's been a long time since I owned a 390 in a '72 Camper Special.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Gary Folks are wanting to do diesel conversions all the time, you might get an engine tranny converted before you found a FT block. A truck that could handle a 391 FT could surely handle the weight of diesel. just sayin
John
John
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
John - Thanks, but this is a truck my nephew is trying to get back on the road for a guy. It is a retired utility company bucket truck that some tree trimmers are using, so they need it ASAP. It supposedly has many accessories, like hydraulic pumps, that are needed but bolt the block. So, the strong desire is to find another block or a complete engine.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
Give 'em a call, see if they have any bare, short or long 391 blocks.
There's probably some complete used 391's locally at a truck wrecking yard I frequent (they never throw anything away), but...
LA LA LAND is a long way from Tulsa.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
There's been one on evil bay for a while, it's the short block- but that might be easier.
Realistically, if it's just a cracked block? There isn't much difference in blocks other than the smaller distributor hole. Could possibly run a standard FE block with a FE dizzy? Or see if the dizzy hole can be enlarged? If you go with a FE block and dizzy, you'd need a FE oil pump and oil pump drive shaft, then just plug the FE dipstick hole. There might be an accessory oil drain back hole (threaded) on the FT that one would have to modify the oil pan to receive the oil return.
Realistically, if it's just a cracked block? There isn't much difference in blocks other than the smaller distributor hole. Could possibly run a standard FE block with a FE dizzy? Or see if the dizzy hole can be enlarged? If you go with a FE block and dizzy, you'd need a FE oil pump and oil pump drive shaft, then just plug the FE dipstick hole. There might be an accessory oil drain back hole (threaded) on the FT that one would have to modify the oil pan to receive the oil return.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Bill - Thanks for the info and the call. I'll call Fred Jones on Monday.
Decaruby - According to my nephew there are accessories that bolt to or connect to the block. Having read this thread (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ml#post9514368) I'm guessing that one is the connection for the air brake compressor. So, is there a way around that?
As for the eBay short block, we will check it out. Thanks!
Decaruby - According to my nephew there are accessories that bolt to or connect to the block. Having read this thread (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...ml#post9514368) I'm guessing that one is the connection for the air brake compressor. So, is there a way around that?
As for the eBay short block, we will check it out. Thanks!
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
I was going to write back a bit, but after taking a second look at my 391 block it does have a few extra holes right along the pan line, including the NPT for the oil return. There's also a boss (and threaded hole) for the pickup. I can post a few pics from my build.
You may want to ask your Nephew for some photos of inside the engine bay to understand which holes are being used for the extra accessorie(s).
You may want to ask your Nephew for some photos of inside the engine bay to understand which holes are being used for the extra accessorie(s).
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
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Ok, my own curiosity was burning. The only additional hole is for NPT hole that must be for an oil return. Question would be is if the line for the return is hard or flexible pipe so that it could be routed a few inches below, straight into the pan- would need to weld a fitting onto the pan.
My FE block HAS the boss for the oil pickup threaded hole. You'd have to drill and tap it, if you went with a FE block- I'm not sure if that boss is on all the FE blocks.
My FE block HAS the boss for the oil pickup threaded hole. You'd have to drill and tap it, if you went with a FE block- I'm not sure if that boss is on all the FE blocks.
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