Need feed back on 360 Engine
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 136
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From: Fort Wayne IN
Need feed back on 360 Engine
Hello everyone, new to forums and said hello and starting off with asking questions here. 
I have been looking for a Gen 5 or 6 Ford for a while but I'm kinda picky on what I want. I have found one that I think will work but talking to a buddy he got me second guessing the engine it has.
The truck I'm looking at is a 1978 F150, 4wd, Manual(floor), V8(unknown size) and body isn't in horrible shape. The current owner bought the truck to make a 4wd mud booger but plans changed and needs to sell it, he was told it was a 360 but doesn't know for sure. I'm going tomorrow to look over the truck closer and see if I can confirm the engine.
Doing some reading it doesn't look like the 360 was a option in 1978 so it has been swapped or the guy was wrong. I will do my best to ID the engine. I'm going to spend today learning all I can so I can ID the engine.
I always thought the 360 was a good engine for power and reliability but a buddy was telling me the 360 is a gas hog and 351 would give better power with less weight.
I want a truck that I can enjoy driving that has a nice beefy growl with running and has the ability to spin both wheels once in a while. Most of the time it will be cruising around town but 6-7 times a year will be pulling a band trailer for my kids marching band.
So my question is. How is the 360 engine in a weekend driver truck?
I have been looking for a Gen 5 or 6 Ford for a while but I'm kinda picky on what I want. I have found one that I think will work but talking to a buddy he got me second guessing the engine it has.
The truck I'm looking at is a 1978 F150, 4wd, Manual(floor), V8(unknown size) and body isn't in horrible shape. The current owner bought the truck to make a 4wd mud booger but plans changed and needs to sell it, he was told it was a 360 but doesn't know for sure. I'm going tomorrow to look over the truck closer and see if I can confirm the engine.
Doing some reading it doesn't look like the 360 was a option in 1978 so it has been swapped or the guy was wrong. I will do my best to ID the engine. I'm going to spend today learning all I can so I can ID the engine.
I always thought the 360 was a good engine for power and reliability but a buddy was telling me the 360 is a gas hog and 351 would give better power with less weight.
I want a truck that I can enjoy driving that has a nice beefy growl with running and has the ability to spin both wheels once in a while. Most of the time it will be cruising around town but 6-7 times a year will be pulling a band trailer for my kids marching band.
So my question is. How is the 360 engine in a weekend driver truck?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 189
Likes: 12
From: Minnesota
Warhawk,
You are correct, the 360 (FE engine family) was not offered in 1978. V8's in 1978 were the 302, 351M, or 400. I have 76 with a 360 and I am not the most knowledgeable about the engine, but the easiest way to tell if you have a FE is to look at the spark plugs. The rear 2 plugs are pointed forward and the front 2 plugs are pointed rearward, kind of like this // \\. There are some other differences in the number of valve cover bolts, can't remember those right now. With either the 360 or 351M, don't expect to get great gas mileage.
You are correct, the 360 (FE engine family) was not offered in 1978. V8's in 1978 were the 302, 351M, or 400. I have 76 with a 360 and I am not the most knowledgeable about the engine, but the easiest way to tell if you have a FE is to look at the spark plugs. The rear 2 plugs are pointed forward and the front 2 plugs are pointed rearward, kind of like this // \\. There are some other differences in the number of valve cover bolts, can't remember those right now. With either the 360 or 351M, don't expect to get great gas mileage.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Fort Wayne IN
Thanks for the info, I will check the spark plugs.
I did find a page that shows the FE engine has 5 bolts on the valve covers. That would get me in the right family of engines and should be enough to get me started.
Honestly on gas mileage I'm thinking 12-14 MPG most of the time and I'm okay with that. I have a small 4cyl for my work car and if I want to get 30+ MPG but no fun in that.
I did find a page that shows the FE engine has 5 bolts on the valve covers. That would get me in the right family of engines and should be enough to get me started.
Honestly on gas mileage I'm thinking 12-14 MPG most of the time and I'm okay with that. I have a small 4cyl for my work car and if I want to get 30+ MPG but no fun in that.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
302 (2WD): 1973/79 F100 & 1975/79 F150 = 6 valve cover bolts per side.
351M/400 (2WD/4WD): 1977/79 F100/350 = 8 valve cover bolts per side.
360 (2WD/4WD) & 390 (2WD): 1973/76 F100/350 = 5 valve cover bolts per side.
460 (2WD): 1973/76 F100; 1973/79 F250/350; 1975/79 F150 = 7 valve cover bolts per side.
Don't expect good MPG with any of these V8's, because these trucks have the aerodynamics of a brick.
When introduced in 1973, a gallon of regular gas was roughly 25-30 cents and no one gave a hoot about MPG
351M/400 (2WD/4WD): 1977/79 F100/350 = 8 valve cover bolts per side.
360 (2WD/4WD) & 390 (2WD): 1973/76 F100/350 = 5 valve cover bolts per side.
460 (2WD): 1973/76 F100; 1973/79 F250/350; 1975/79 F150 = 7 valve cover bolts per side.
Don't expect good MPG with any of these V8's, because these trucks have the aerodynamics of a brick.
When introduced in 1973, a gallon of regular gas was roughly 25-30 cents and no one gave a hoot about MPG
Regular User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,798
Likes: 15
From: Bathurst, New Brunswick
The VIN can be decoded to tell what engine the truck came with originally.
It is more likely that you have a 351M or 400 than a 360. Use Bill's method of counting valve cover bolts to determine the current engine and go from there.
All of the engines can be improved in some way, shape or form to increase power and MPG (albeit marginally!).
Good luck and post pictures of said truck (and engine).
It is more likely that you have a 351M or 400 than a 360. Use Bill's method of counting valve cover bolts to determine the current engine and go from there.
All of the engines can be improved in some way, shape or form to increase power and MPG (albeit marginally!).
Good luck and post pictures of said truck (and engine).
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
G = 302 2V; H = 390 2V (1973/76) & 351M 2V (1977/79); J = 460 4V; M = 390 4V (1974/76); S = 400 2V; Y = 360 2V.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Fort Wayne IN
I have the vin code printed off and also printed the guide to ID the engine. I'm sure I can work out what engine it has with this info or at least get real close. I have read I can pull the plugs and measure the piston movement to know if it is a 360-390-427.
Anyone use the 360 as a daily driver? Or have some info how they compare power wise to the other possible engines?
Anyone use the 360 as a daily driver? Or have some info how they compare power wise to the other possible engines?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 118
From: starship enterprise
A 360 crank shaft flange (the part on the rear that the flywheel/flexplate bolts to) has a half moon or like semi-circle cut-out. This was on all 360 crankshafts for machining purposes. 390 doesn't have that.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: O-O-O-Oreilly's
I daily drove my 360, about 18,000 miles a year. It was worn out when i bought the truck, and that engine kept on going. It always had a tick, which upon tear down inspection revealed a surprising amount of damage. That engine ran strong, just noisy. They're very tough.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Fort Wayne IN
Thanks for the feed back.
I was reading up on MPG on the 360 and really got worried with those results but decided to compare some of the other engines from the same year, then realized they all get horrible MPG.
I was reading up on MPG on the 360 and really got worried with those results but decided to compare some of the other engines from the same year, then realized they all get horrible MPG.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 79
From: A dirty little town in OR
Some weird posts in this thread... Crank flange? Dude, the engine is IN THE TRUCK. And btw, some older 390s had the half-moon cutout also.
"Sad" (yes, very sad. Extremely sad. SO sad. Just F***ING sad) that counting VC bolts to ID a motor is common? Seriously?
Buy the truck if you think it's worth the asking price... negotiate down if if it's too high. If you're worried about mileage then you're in the wrong market. There are literally TONS of Toyotas, Nissans, and Mazdas out there. Sheeeit, I pd $400 for my 89 Maz 4x4 and it's been trouble-free for 5 yrs. But when when it dies, it's GONE.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Fort Wayne IN
Terrible mileage... expect that. I drive mine (76 F150 4x4) to work every day. It gets *****ty MPG but WHO CARES. If I wanted MPG points I would have bought a Sentra or Camry.
Some weird posts in this thread... Crank flange? Dude, the engine is IN THE TRUCK. "Sad" (SO sad) that counting VC bolts to ID a motor is common? Seriously?
Buy the truck if you think it's worth the asking price... negotiate down if if it's too high. If you're worried about mileage then you're in the wrong market. There are literally TONS of Toyotas, Nissans, and Mazdas out there. Sheeeit, I pd $400 for my 89 Maz 4x4 and it's been trouble-free for 5 yrs. But when when it dies, it's GONE.
I agree as I said earlier in the thread I have a car for 30+ MPG, the truck will be for fun so not too worried about it. Granted 12-13 MPG would be nice but not a big deal.
Going tonight to look over the truck and will have cash with me just in case. The guy has raised the prices on CL "Because of the interest in the truck" but I'm going by his first post if it had some much interest why isn't it sold already. There are others in the area and I'm in no hurry.
Did look at the photos of the engine I have and it is a FE engine, that doesn't really tell me much just that it isn't stock.