I need some help on finding a used 390 V8.My project truck has a 400M in it but it's no good cause the guy I bought it from ragged it out and burnt the main bearings up so I wanna swap it out for a 390.The truck also has a NP435 4spd.
I'm leaning towards finding a 390 out of a car since it will have had a easier life than one outta a truck would have.But does anyone know what ford cars had 390's in them???
And how to i.d. one???
(vin number,stamped numbers anywhere on block)

Thanks,
Dan

 

Galaxie 500s

 

I found my 390 in a 69 ltd

 

390's were in the car line from '61 to '71.

 

Okay thanks for the help.

Is their any absolutely positive way to i.d. one on a car???
Cause I know the 360 and 390 looked identical so I don't wanna buy a 360 and then be ordering parts for a 390 and find out some of them won't work cause of the longer stroke the 390 has.

And also my truck has the NP435 4spd. in it.What parts will I need to get to change it out so a 390 will bolt to it???
(bellhousing,clutch,throwout bearing,etc.)

Thanks for ur help I really appreciate it.

Dan

 

You won't find a 360 in a car unless someone put it there, it was only offered in the pickups.

Barry

 

For now I'd overhaul the 400 and drive the truck. After that you can build the replacement engine and when all is in order install it. As I understand it the 400 was an adequate motor. It is much easier to build the engine that was in there in the first place and cheaper as well. Lots of the 400 boys swear by that engine. Welcome to FTE!

 

Well some time after christmas I'm gonna tear the truck down and start rebuilding it.Cause it needs a new cab and all too.Then when I get all the parts built and ready to go in then I'll start rebuilding.Driving it right now isn't a big deal its just kinda of a toy right now.
Thanks all u guys for ur help!

Dan

 

Hey hell on wheels where do u live?

 

I live in southwest florida.
U gonna come visit me???

 

For car 390s look in 60s Thunderbirds, Galaxies, Fairlanes and Marauders, late 60s Cougars, Torinos and Mustangs. You might even find a 390 in a Comet. I am sure I missed a couple.
Basically if you look in any mid to late 60s ford there is a chance you will see at least a 390 FE and might even stumble across a forgotten about 428 or 427.
Don't forget that many trucks had a car engine swapped into them before they found thier way to the salvage so check closely and the 390 you want may be right under the hood of the truck you just passed by at the salvage.

 

I'd rebuild what you've got and invest in 351 Cleveland heads.

 

LTD's too. My 66 LTD has a factory 4 barrell 390 in it and runs good with 106k miles.

 

Too little too late, but here in Southern Oregon, at one of our annual swap meets last year, a guy had a '63 or '64 T-bird with a running T-bird 390 for $400 (just for the engine). I believe these T-bird FEs had a minimum of 250 HP. Ya never know.