Fe 360 heads
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Freshman User
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Fe 360 heads
Ok. I'm new to this, for two months I have been researching this head issue and am no better off than I started I believe. I have a 1974 F250 with the 360. The motor is in the machine shop and will be back next Friday. I'm down to the heads, the cost to redo my heads is a little pricey, I've heard that 390 heads will work. When I call Summit they say they won't. I would hate to buy them and it not work. I can find stuff all day for 390, but very little on the 360. If they are interchangeable, why doesn't it get marketed that way from suppliers?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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The difference between a 360 and a 390 is the crank and rods. I don't see why 390 heads wouldn't work unless there is a chamber size difference .
Converting to a 390 would still be easy if you want to spend a few bucks. the difference in performance is apples and oranges.
Check out the FE power forum , I'm a member there and there are some FE gurus that helped me a lot on my 428 CJ build. I can ask for you if you don't want to become a member. but I would suggest anyone with an Fe join you won't regret it.
Converting to a 390 would still be easy if you want to spend a few bucks. the difference in performance is apples and oranges.
Check out the FE power forum , I'm a member there and there are some FE gurus that helped me a lot on my 428 CJ build. I can ask for you if you don't want to become a member. but I would suggest anyone with an Fe join you won't regret it.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
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I've never heard of heads specific to one FE from another. You should ask if the 390 heads fit on a 428 and hear the answer. Should be a non-issue. Yet, aluminum heads are not going to be any cheaper than having your iron ones rebuilt. I'd argue the more important aspects like getting springs that match the cam you want to run as well as ensuring the valve heights are correct. Ensuring the mating surface is good and flat as well as the right size push rods.
Call Summit again and ask the same question of a different person.
Call Summit again and ask the same question of a different person.
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440
I've seen a lot of items for the 390 and a lot of reviews. I'd love to do the swap. This is an all original that was my Dads. He's gone now, I'm trying to keep it as close to original as possible for now. I am just confused about the heads, it doesn't make any sense to me, I'm trying....
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Deca
Thank you for your response. I plan on calling them again, before I did so I wanted to touch base with some of you guys and make sure what I was reading was correct. I see where Summit says heads could fits 390 and certain years of 428 also. When I asked about the 360, there was nothing. Either rebuilt factory, or extremely high dollar. If I was going to rebuild factory I'd keep mine..... I guess my confusion is, if they work on different applications why wouldn't a company like Summit have that information also?
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
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From: Stanley, VA
A lot of people building a 360 just make the jump and make it a 390.
As to your original question, the heads will bolt on without any problem. Both engines have the same bore (4.05") so valve to cylinder edge clearance isn't a problem. As for the compression, not sure, the 360 is already pretty low. I don't have the cc specs fro the Edelbrock heads and its been too many years since I cc'd the heads on my FE (I did the conversion, 360 to 390).
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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A 390 crank and rods will be much less noticeible than aluminum heads if originality is important to you. it won't be cheaper to buy new heads than to rebuild your either.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: West Union, OH USA
To my knowledge there are no viable options to get good compression from a 360 because the piston is so far down the hole. Swapping in a 390 crank and rods cures this problem. 360s actually came from the factory with 390 car pistons and 352 crank and rods. It's a low compression truck engine, around 8:1 compression ratio, maybe less.
Edelbrock heads will fit no problem, but its probably a waste of money if you have low compression. You would gain more power by converting it to a 390, plus it would be cheaper. Just as long as you use an aftermarket piston and get a compression ratio of 9:1 or better and not simply buy stock replacement 390 truck pistons.
Edelbrock heads will fit no problem, but its probably a waste of money if you have low compression. You would gain more power by converting it to a 390, plus it would be cheaper. Just as long as you use an aftermarket piston and get a compression ratio of 9:1 or better and not simply buy stock replacement 390 truck pistons.
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Ok. I'm new to this, for two months I have been researching this head issue and am no better off than I started I believe. I have a 1974 F250 with the 360.
The motor is in the machine shop and will be back next Friday. I'm down to the heads, the cost to redo my heads is a little pricey, I've heard that 390 heads
will work.
When I call Summit they say they won't.
The motor is in the machine shop and will be back next Friday. I'm down to the heads, the cost to redo my heads is a little pricey, I've heard that 390 heads
will work.When I call Summit they say they won't.
360/390 use the same block, the bore is the same (4.05"), the stroke is different: Stroke: 360 = 3.50" // 390 = 3.78."
So, the only difference between a 360 and 390 is the crankshaft, rods and pistons. EVERYTHING else is the same!
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Freshman User
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Thank you
Thank you guys. It really helps me out. Only reason I was looking for aftermarket is a little help for motor, and cost for mine being redone around here is 800 to 900. Nobody wants to do them because of the time taken to do them.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
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Is that 800 to 900 for the pair? The edelbrock heads at Summit are around that much each (complete).