1972 engine thoughts
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 371
The engine for $600 is either a 360 or 390...easy to determine by pulling a spark plug and measuring the stroke. If you can pull the plugs to peak inside and rotate the crank while watching the valves work, it's probably worth $600...even more if it's in good shape. If you trust the guy to do you right then I'd go for it...if I was sure my current engine was shot and I didn't want to rebuild it. If your current engine really only has 12,000 miles, I'd consider running a leak down test and then replacing seals, gaskets, etc.
Price wise...a Jasper engine is about the cheapest (at around $3300 not counting gaskets) you'll get without building one yourself and they usually have a 3 year warranty.
A really sweet build by one of the good builders will run $8K-$10K...depending on what you want. The right builder will put together a package that's worth the extra cash. Depends on your goals. If you only want a hobby truck to hop around the local area or if you want to use it and go out of state, etc.... I spend a lot of time on the interstate with mine and plan to keep it a long time so I went the more costly route.
Price wise...a Jasper engine is about the cheapest (at around $3300 not counting gaskets) you'll get without building one yourself and they usually have a 3 year warranty.
A really sweet build by one of the good builders will run $8K-$10K...depending on what you want. The right builder will put together a package that's worth the extra cash. Depends on your goals. If you only want a hobby truck to hop around the local area or if you want to use it and go out of state, etc.... I spend a lot of time on the interstate with mine and plan to keep it a long time so I went the more costly route.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 54
From: Antelope Valley ,CA
Only real difference between truck 390 and car 390 is cam and Piston height . both of these things can be changed easily for Little $$ .
so for $600 if the motor turns and by hand and was rebuilt by your friend grab it ! .
make the changes you want and drop it in .
so for $600 if the motor turns and by hand and was rebuilt by your friend grab it ! .
make the changes you want and drop it in .
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Thanks guys! I am not sure where the 12000 miles came from but not mine. My 360 has about 100000 on it. The motor is sitting in garage and has always been in the heated garage with all his cars he owns. When he worked on it he ordered all 390 parts and said he had no issue with fitting. The plugs are out and I will measure next week but just wanted to make sure it wasn't the 330 med truck engine that some threads said it could be with that casting #! The intake is off also. Assuming it to be the 390 from 1968 based on the heads what do you think about the hp and torque with a 4 barrel on it? I'm thinking 600-650 cfm and performer or possibly EFI from Fitech? Thanks
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Thanks guys! I am not sure where the 12000 miles came from but not mine. My 360 has about 100000 on it. The motor is sitting in garage and has always been in the heated garage with all his cars he owns.
When he worked on it he ordered all 390 parts
and said he had no issue with fitting.
When he worked on it he ordered all 390 parts
and said he had no issue with fitting.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 54
From: Antelope Valley ,CA
for a mild 360/390 600cfm fine.
EFI will add alot of $$ but it will run a lot better IMHO .
I just switched my wifes 84 El camino to Atomic EFI . What a difference , starts with just a turn of the key no pumping gas peddle etc .
EFI will add alot of $$ but it will run a lot better IMHO .
I just switched my wifes 84 El camino to Atomic EFI . What a difference , starts with just a turn of the key no pumping gas peddle etc .
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 4
From: Garner NC
I'm the only freak here that will rebuild a 360, lol. I don't need to shave that half second off the 0-60 time on the dump truck. 
FE's are not a cheap rebuild in any displacement. 6 Bills is a deal.
FE's are not a cheap rebuild in any displacement. 6 Bills is a deal.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
So, I also wouldn't rebuild for the sole purpose of having a 390 or probably anything else. Now, if I had to rebuild a 360 I would most likely try and improve its performance! I don't think I could get my 360 to the level of this hopefully 360/390 for the same money. I called and set it up for Tuesday or Wednesday next week for measuring the stroke and trying to confirm what it is for sure? Still any idea about the hp and torque? I think my 360 is under 200? The 1968 360/390 should have higher numbers than say a 1972 360/390?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4,093
Likes: 14
From: Lind, WA- Eastern WA
Just adding headers alone will boost your HP. Electric radiator fan will help too. But the EFI will be very nice! No more carb rebuilding!
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FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,828
Likes: 4,094
From: Angier, NC
What mount? Mounts should be on the side of the motor.
What you are showing is the top 2 bell housing bolt holes.
Motors don't care if it has a C6 or a stick trany bolted to it as long as the right parts are used for the trany bolted up.
That picture looks to be for an auto (flex plate but Ford calls it something else but cant remember what?) and being a 360/390 I would say a C6 as any other auto for that size motor would be vary light duty and not last unless it was built up a lot.
I would also not get hung up on HP/TQ numbers unless you are racing (brackets it still does not matter) or pulling heavy loads.
Anything has to be better than the 360 that is blowing oil and has 100kon it that is in your truck now.
I think a fresh motor (would need to be checked to make sure) be it 360 or 390 for $600 is a deal. It use to be that a used running motor for a junk yard was a $1 a cube so that motor used would be about $400 but remember he freshen it up and why the extra $$
Dave ----
What you are showing is the top 2 bell housing bolt holes.
Motors don't care if it has a C6 or a stick trany bolted to it as long as the right parts are used for the trany bolted up.
That picture looks to be for an auto (flex plate but Ford calls it something else but cant remember what?) and being a 360/390 I would say a C6 as any other auto for that size motor would be vary light duty and not last unless it was built up a lot.
I would also not get hung up on HP/TQ numbers unless you are racing (brackets it still does not matter) or pulling heavy loads.
Anything has to be better than the 360 that is blowing oil and has 100kon it that is in your truck now.
I think a fresh motor (would need to be checked to make sure) be it 360 or 390 for $600 is a deal. It use to be that a used running motor for a junk yard was a $1 a cube so that motor used would be about $400 but remember he freshen it up and why the extra $$
Dave ----
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I picked it up today. I measured it and seems like it is the 390. I will turn it over tomorrow and inspect the crank for numbers and shape for confirmation. FuzzFace2, I was talking about transmission mount but I think I'm ok because I also got a last he knew working C6 with the motor for a total of 550.00. My trans needs rebuilt and It won't matter which one gets done. Here is another number? Does it mean anything?
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I also got gaskets, 2 barrel intake old rods he removed, valve covers and torque converter. I had thought he told me 600.00 but today he said 500.00 and then I gave him 50.00 for the trans. He put 400.00 into it when he got it 3 years ago. The guy he got it from took it out of his Mustang for a 428 swap. That was more of the story I got today. I'll leave mine running while I get this one done. Tomorrow I will look at the crank.
