390 swap?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: south east kansas
390 swap?
i'm sure this gets asked every few years, what does it take to put a 390 into a 81 f150 with a 300i6 and a 3 on the floor( was on tree), don't tell me get a 460 or a small block, i have and FE and a bellhousing for one and a rear sump pan.
i know on the 67-76 truck the 390 and i 6 used the same frame towers., so what would it take?
i know on the 67-76 truck the 390 and i 6 used the same frame towers., so what would it take?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I don't know how many have done it, but I know some on here would like to do it. However, there may be some info on here so search for "FE" or "390" and see what you find.
Anyway, I have a page on my web site about engine swaps: Engine Swaps - ???Gary's Garagemahal. However, it doesn't mention the 390, although the ideas are the same. Might help by causing you to think of something.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Anyway, I have a page on my web site about engine swaps: Engine Swaps - ???Gary's Garagemahal. However, it doesn't mention the 390, although the ideas are the same. Might help by causing you to think of something.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,239
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From: Northeast Ohio USA
i'm sure this gets asked every few years, what does it take to put a 390 into a 81 f150 with a 300i6 and a 3 on the floor( was on tree), don't tell me get a 460 or a small block, i have and FE and a bellhousing for one and a rear sump pan.
i know on the 67-76 truck the 390 and i 6 used the same frame towers., so what would it take?
i know on the 67-76 truck the 390 and i 6 used the same frame towers., so what would it take?
I haven't seen it asked since I've been here in the Bullnose Forum or older posts. I've never thought about it. My 390 rests well in my 63 Galaxie and my 302 rebuild seems content in my F150. Now my newly acquired 60 Fairlane is another story.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,898
Likes: 4,120
From: Angier, NC
i'm sure this gets asked every few years, what does it take to put a 390 into a 81 f150 with a 300i6 and a 3 on the floor( was on tree), don't tell me get a 460 or a small block, i have and FE and a bellhousing for one and a rear sump pan.
i know on the 67-76 truck the 390 and i 6 used the same frame towers., so what would it take?
i know on the 67-76 truck the 390 and i 6 used the same frame towers., so what would it take?
Then find if you don't have one 80-88? truck with a six and get measurements and pictures of the frame mounts.
This way you can see if the frame mounts will
1- take the rubber FE mounts
2- if the distance between frame mounts will fit the FE motor
Know that the 80-88? use different frame mounts for different motors so if the six parts don't work maybe another motor size will or mix n match them?
Do the 67-76 truck frame mounts bolt on the cross member like the 80-88 do?
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Ok I think I would see if I could get measurements of the mounts on the 67-76 trucks that run a I six or FE 390. Maybe also a picture of them so you knowhow the rubber mounts should sit.
Then find if you don't have one 80-88? truck with a six and get measurements and pictures of the frame mounts.
This way you can see if the frame mounts will
1- take the rubber FE mounts
2- if the distance between frame mounts will fit the FE motor
Know that the 80-88? use different frame mounts for different motors so if the six parts don't work maybe another motor size will or mix n match them?
Do the 67-76 truck frame mounts bolt on the cross member like the 80-88 do?
Dave ----
Then find if you don't have one 80-88? truck with a six and get measurements and pictures of the frame mounts.
This way you can see if the frame mounts will
1- take the rubber FE mounts
2- if the distance between frame mounts will fit the FE motor
Know that the 80-88? use different frame mounts for different motors so if the six parts don't work maybe another motor size will or mix n match them?
Do the 67-76 truck frame mounts bolt on the cross member like the 80-88 do?
Dave ----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
Yes it does get asked every couple of years (you must have done a search). If you did, you know my opinion, not worth it. Custom fit the whole way for a engine family that was never offered in these trucks. A lot of work and aggravation just because you already have the engine.
Trailering
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 19
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From: Central Okla
As i Am interested in the 390/c6 swap into my 85 also I ran across this web site.Some isn't relevant but it is good reading for anyone thinking about a Ford swap.
TECH: The extensive yet incomplete Ford V8 Swapper's Guide! | The H.A.M.B.
TECH: The extensive yet incomplete Ford V8 Swapper's Guide! | The H.A.M.B.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
As i Am interested in the 390/c6 swap into my 85 also I ran across this web site.Some isn't relevant but it is good reading for anyone thinking about a Ford swap.
TECH: The extensive yet incomplete Ford V8 Swapper's Guide! | The H.A.M.B.
TECH: The extensive yet incomplete Ford V8 Swapper's Guide! | The H.A.M.B.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
Good ideas. I could measure the 351M/400 perches (not mounts) on Dad's truck quite easily if we had a reference point or two from which to measure. And if others were to measure theirs I could capture the info on my web site on the perches page.
I am thinking from motor mount stud hole to hole across the 2 perches any other measurements?
Center to center of frame rails? or inside to inside/outside to outside?
Maybe top of rails centers to holes in perches both horizontal & vertical?
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
We need some reference points from the perch to the frame since the frames are all the same - at least between F150's, 250's, etc.
I'll look at Dad's truck tomorrow and see if I can figure out what measurements would be most helpful. Then I'll take some pics and measurements and put them on my web site. And then I'll come back and put a link here. But, if someone knows of more or different measurements please let me know.
I'll look at Dad's truck tomorrow and see if I can figure out what measurements would be most helpful. Then I'll take some pics and measurements and put them on my web site. And then I'll come back and put a link here. But, if someone knows of more or different measurements please let me know.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
Here's a thread where a guy did it with lots of detail and full disclosure of how much work it was.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...-150-pics.html
P.S. I notice the pictures still work but if you want to keep the above info, someone had better grab them off his photobucket site before they are lost.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...-150-pics.html
P.S. I notice the pictures still work but if you want to keep the above info, someone had better grab them off his photobucket site before they are lost.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I've measured Dad's perches, created a table to hold all the measurements, taken some pics to show how I took the measurements, and put it at the bottom of the Perches page here: Engine Perches - ???Gary's Garagemahal. Please let me know if it makes sense and will work.
Dave - Are you aware of something going on where his pics are endangered?
Dave - Are you aware of something going on where his pics are endangered?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,980
Likes: 2,735
From: Virginia
No. But I have had it happen to me before. So if it's something I really want to keep, I grab them. I have found Word is the easiest format to use, it will handle the text and the pictures, and you can put it all in one place.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,898
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From: Angier, NC
Another project I am working on I hosted the pictures on my web site (like I have done for any pictures I post here) then my host made changes and the first few pages that had pictures you can no longer see them as the links are broken.
I still have the pictures and could spend days fixing the links if I can edit the pages but I just added a link in my signature to my site & pictures and let people go thru them all if they want.
I think that is what he meant.
Dave ----