Hoping someone here can help me being as I am new to the FE motor. I have found a motor nearby I am thinking about buying to replace my wornout 352 with in my 66 F100. Guy says its a 390 .030 over with a 428 crank. Says it has C4AE heads and thinks they are the C4AE-G heads mildly ported with an aluminum Edelbrock intake.I have a picture of cam card but not sure how to post a picture I can post whatever info is helpful. He's asking 500 for the motor and I'm just curious if it is a good engine with this setup.

 

Figured out how to put picture up

 

Do a compression test, doesn't have to be in a vehicle for that, and then pull a plug and check the stroke. If you can, start it. I've done that in the past with the engine on the ground. How many miles are on it?

 

Says it has about 250 miles on rebuild with 10:1 compression.

 

Subscribed. Sounds nice... how much?

 

Get the casting number from the block to verify it's a 1965/76 FE engine.

1958/64 FE engines were only installed in cars, have a different bolt pattern on the engine block that the steel/rubber motor mounts (insulators) bolt to.

 

A 390 with a 428 crank comes out to be a 410 ci. Then add the 0.030 overbore and it's a 416 ci.
Mercury produced the 410's from factory in 1966-1967. 10.5:1 was standard ratio from factory. Being the heads are from a 1964, there's probably the slight ratio difference with a slightly larger chamber. You can get thick or thin head gaskets for the FE to bump ratios if wanted.

A stock Mercury 4v-410 was rated at 330 hp / 444 lb torque at 2800 rpm's.

The larger lift cam for the exhaust is a common pick for FE's for it brings out the low end torque that these motors are good at. This is commonly referred to as an RV cam for towing purposes.

Do keep in mind that the 428 crank requires an external weighted flex plate or flywheel specifically for the 428 / 410. flexplates are reasonable compared to flywheels are outrageous. OEM flywheels for a 428 go for around $400-$500 if they are in good shape. And 428 crank owners seem to overprice as well. But aftermarket is slowly letting out all the hot air of FE collectors. You can get a brand new 428 flywheel for $350 now days and prices are falling. Same as for the 428 crank.

Some things to watch out for is seized exhaust manifold bolts (although there's quick easy fixes for this), healthy push rods (they tend to get bent and narrowed due to use) And the possibility of adjustable rocker arm assemblies from factory that are worth their weight in gold.

The aluminum intake sheds the total weight of an FE down by around 50 pounds.

And although not necessary to check the health of a motor, I've seen quite a few motors started on the ground...

 

Forgot to mention he said when he had the heads redone they replaced stock valves with CJ valves. So should this setup make similar numbers to the stock mercury 410s?

 

Also motor is internally balanced now. Added mallory metal to the crank.

 

The 410's had stock valves.

Bottom line, I'd buy it for $500. I paid $600 for my 410 many years ago.

 

Ask him what valve springs he used, that cam has too much lift for stock springs.
Which Edelbrock intake does it have, not sure if it was the street master model or something else that had small intake runners for fuel milage, those intakes weren't every good.
10:1 compression means premium gas but for $500 I'd buy it.

 

I have a standard bore CJ bare block sitting on the shelf in my workshop. Have been offered $1,000 for it but it number matches my 69 Mach 1 so I don't want to give it up. $500 is a good price.