390 swap?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
Ok, I sent this private message to Hoxii, and emailed it to him as well:
Hoxii - I have a web site where, among other things, I'm documenting everything I can about the 1980 - 86 Ford trucks. Here's a link to that section, although there are over 300 pages beyond that one: 1980 - 86 Ford Trucks - ???Gary's Garagemahal.
Anyway, some of the guys on the Bullnozed forum are interested in swapping a 390 into their trucks and we were looking at your thread. Then I realized that you've apparently not been on FTE for over two years, and got worried that the pics might go away.
So, would you mind if I capture them and put them, as well as your write-up regarding what you did, on my web site? That way we would ensure they don't get away. And, of course, I'd give you the credit.
But, as said, his last activity on FTE was 03-30-2014 , so I'm guessing that he won't see the PM. If he hasn't responded in a couple of weeks I may capture the pic's just to make sure they don't get lost. Technically if he puts the links in the open the pics are free game. But, I would rather not do that so want his approval.
Anyway, some of the guys on the Bullnozed forum are interested in swapping a 390 into their trucks and we were looking at your thread. Then I realized that you've apparently not been on FTE for over two years, and got worried that the pics might go away.
So, would you mind if I capture them and put them, as well as your write-up regarding what you did, on my web site? That way we would ensure they don't get away. And, of course, I'd give you the credit.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: south east kansas
i'm leaning towards it may not be worth it, with the pictures from hoxii's thread i'd say a combination of 300 mounts bolted roughly where 400 mounts would go might provide an answer, to my knowledge on the 67-77 ( i think frame perches changed in 77) the 300 perches and 390 perches are the same, however on the 300 trucks they are moved forward, and FE mounts are back more. on the 67-77 trucks the frame and cross member are designed, to hold both. another point to look at on hoxii's thread would be he used a 4x4, and a stick, where i would like a 2wd auto. i think the truck i was looking at got sold so it may be a moot point now but there may be others that want or need this info. i think if i get my hands on a bull nose i'll look for a Cleveland( should fit a lot easier).
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
A Cleveland will be a bolt-in using 351M/400 perches since the bottom of the blocks are essentially the same. The difference is that the M-block is taller, but that won't change anything except the exhausts, which will be lower and closer together.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,988
Likes: 4,139
From: Angier, NC
i'm leaning towards it may not be worth it, with the pictures from hoxii's thread i'd say a combination of 300 mounts bolted roughly where 400 mounts would go might provide an answer, to my knowledge on the 67-77 ( i think frame perches changed in 77) the 300 perches and 390 perches are the same, however on the 300 trucks they are moved forward, and FE mounts are back more. on the 67-77 trucks the frame and cross member are designed, to hold both. another point to look at on hoxii's thread would be he used a 4x4, and a stick, where i would like a 2wd auto. i think the truck i was looking at got sold so it may be a moot point now but there may be others that want or need this info. i think if i get my hands on a bull nose i'll look for a Cleveland( should fit a lot easier).
Gary still needs the 255/302 perches measurements but I am thinking they will be behind the main cross member.
What you are saying it sounds the perches are the same as the 80-86 trucks with the mounts for v8 after the cross member.
So as a guess either v8 or combo of each might work to fit a FE motor on the 80-86 trucks.
Dave ----
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,027
Likes: 2,762
From: Virginia
A cleveland would be another odd duck, but not as bad as the 390. While the motor would bolt in using the small v8 setup, the exhaust would have to be custom as well as a few other small pieces. Yes, a 351m/400 manifold would bolt up to the heads on the cleveland, but the the downfall pipes would not fit up like they should. I tried to put 351m/400 headers on a 351c, and the headers hit the bellhousing before they would bolt up all the way.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,988
Likes: 4,139
From: Angier, NC
I think Gary was talking the motor mount side of the motor swap.
I think the person doing the swap would know before this point what tranys bolt to the FE motor?
Everyone wants to run headers but maybe run the stock manifolds and have new head pipes bent to bolt up to them. They could run into a speed shop H or X pipe then duels from there back.
Dave ----
I think the person doing the swap would know before this point what tranys bolt to the FE motor?
Everyone wants to run headers but maybe run the stock manifolds and have new head pipes bent to bolt up to them. They could run into a speed shop H or X pipe then duels from there back.
Dave ----
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,027
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From: Virginia
Motor mounts won't interchange. The 351c uses the small v8 motor mounts, the 351m/400 uses the larger 429/460 mount system and location.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,988
Likes: 4,139
From: Angier, NC
I think Gary was talking the motor mount side of the motor swap.
I think the person doing the swap would know before this point what tranys bolt to the FE motor?
Everyone wants to run headers but maybe run the stock manifolds and have new head pipes bent to bolt up to them. They could run into a speed shop H or X pipe then duels from there back.
Dave ----
I think the person doing the swap would know before this point what tranys bolt to the FE motor?
Everyone wants to run headers but maybe run the stock manifolds and have new head pipes bent to bolt up to them. They could run into a speed shop H or X pipe then duels from there back.
Dave ----
With any swap that has not been done before ie: FE into a 80-86 truck, the person would be looking for parts that are close to a "bolt in" as can get.
Use perches from the 80-86 trucks that might work or need little work to work with the FE rubber mounts
This way they are not re-inventing the wheel just modifying it to work for them.
Dave ----
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: south east kansas
part of my interest in a "odd ball" swap is to me there isn't really anything super interesting with these trucks, and in my area fords are kinda odd ***** in themselves, so something weird into an 80s or 90s truck, such as an FE, a Cleveland, or a flat head( i'd try it if i had one), would be so different that the chevy boys would be so dumbfounded they wouldn't know what to think. and i do know what motors and trannies swap back and forth.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,988
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From: Angier, NC
I don't know if I would do a flat head as cool as it may be in my book it would not have the power to move the truck worth a heck.
Now a 4bt diesel built up a little or a DD 2 stroke if you could find one would be cool in my book.
On your FE project as it cant happen over a weekend, you will need to set it in place and see where the mounts sit. Then between the early trucks and ours find perches that may work or come close and go from there.
Dave ----
Now a 4bt diesel built up a little or a DD 2 stroke if you could find one would be cool in my book.
On your FE project as it cant happen over a weekend, you will need to set it in place and see where the mounts sit. Then between the early trucks and ours find perches that may work or come close and go from there.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
Why not go with a 400? They are thought to be dogs, but most of that is due to lack of compression and the rest cam timing. Mine just put out 500 ft-lbs and 384 HP on Tim Meyer's dyno. And it could have been much more HP had I not spec'd a mild cam for fuel economy purposes.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,027
Likes: 2,762
From: Virginia
part of my interest in a "odd ball" swap is to me there isn't really anything super interesting with these trucks, and in my area fords are kinda odd ***** in themselves, so something weird into an 80s or 90s truck, such as an FE, a Cleveland, or a flat head( i'd try it if i had one), would be so different that the chevy boys would be so dumbfounded they wouldn't know what to think. and i do know what motors and trannies swap back and forth.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
