Hello yall, im looking for some opinions on what i should do here. I recently purchased a 70' f100. Plan it to make it a short bed, and drop it down some and use it as a shop truck. Right now it has a 360/4 speed. Engine seems to run well, it is all stock. I was going to put the 390 crank and rods in it and go that route, but i my search for the 390 parts i came across someone with a 4 barrel 390 out of a 66 galaxie, and an auto trans for $600. Supposedly has 80k original miles on it. Should i continue with my plan to put a 390 together or get the galaxie 390? The truck is sort of a budget build, at least for the time being. Any benefits to the galaxie engine over putting the 390 together? heads any better? Rotating assembly any better? I know it should be 10.5:1 Comp which is a plus, but from my research using the 360 pistons with the 390 stuff also ups the compression to like 9.25:1. I dont know, im a little torn, i like the idea of dropping in the galaxie and putting some headers and a cam in it and call it a day, but if itll be cheaper but say 400 bucks i may just do the 360-390 deal. Curious what you all have to say. Thanks in advance!

 

Both scenarios the engine will get a bigger cam, gaskets, oil pump, headers, newer ignition etc.

 

No advantages to me except that one has a 4V intake already.

I'd re-gasket/re-seal the Galaxie engine and convert the 360 on the side... but waaaay bigger and badder.. stroked to 434, Eddy RPM heads and RPM intake, cam, etc.

 

If it's a budget build, why take out a decent running engine?

 

1966 Galaxie/LTD available with 352 or 390 with MX Cruise-O-Matic. 1966 Galaxie/LTD also available with 428 & C6.

On sale day, 352's magically become 390's! Measure the stroke to verify engine size: 352 = 3.50" .. 390 = 3.78" .. 428 = 3.98"

 

I read once somewhere that the early 1966 "7 LITRE" Galaxys got a 427 and the later ones got a 428. Might have been Cars & Parts magazine. Ford's parts books do not reflect this however.

 

Cars slipped out that were never meant for consumers. Sometimes the records were doctored (I've heard) One story I read was about the number of 64 lightweights. A certain number had to be built so they could race stock class. So the story goes they were bringing the same cars around the building and counting them twice so nobody really knows the actual number.
I know of a kid in Anchorage who brought his mom's old 4 door Mercury in to shop class to fix the oil pan. She had bought it new and it had a cammer.
Ford offered an automatic transmission in 3/4 ton 4x4s in 1968 but there is nothing in any sales brochure about it. I have the actual publication that was to be inserted in the salesman's binder telling how to order them.

 

7 liter refers to the 428 that was introduced in 1966 (along with the C6).

 

Depending on the heads on the galaxy, you may have some problems bolting on headers. Some had 14 bolt patterns. Mine had the exhaust port just a little higher, so I had to elongate the bolt holes to slide the header up to stop the exhaust leak. I would buy the 390. If nothing else, you can always put the parts in your 360.

 

i'd go with the Galaxie 390 , besides the extra CI and 4bl you will be bumping your compression from 8.?:1 360 to a car 390 which came with 9.5:1

if i remember right Galaxie 390 hp 315
just be sure to check that it is a 390 !!!

 

Exactly, you will be gaining the CR in the Galaxie motor. Plus I agree with HIO. Freshen up that 390 and run it, while making a monster out of the 360 on the side

KOT390

 

I wonder if there are any aftermarket companies out there making pistons for the 360 that raises the compression. Last I heard there are none.

 

Be sure and check that the exhaust flanges and bolt holes are the same. I ran into that switching a 352 out of a '66 f100 and putting in a 390 hi perf from a '66 Fairlane. Didn't find out until I went to put the exhaust manifolds back on.