360 FE rebuild
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360 to 390 conversion
Hey im planning on rebuilding the engine in my 68 f100 but was considering converting it to a 390 just wondering if anyone who's done the conversion has any input on what all Is needed for the conversion other than the crank and rods I know I've heard some people say it's a good idea to get the 390 pistons as well since im not looking to make it a performance engine any input is appreciated
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Welcome to FTE!
If you are going to rebuild it, you would not want to use the existing pistons. However, those pistons have the right specs to give you a 9.5ish compression ratio with the 390 crank and rods, as they are the same spec as 390 car pistons from the late '60s.
"390" pickup pistons are really the same spec as the Mercury 410, with an approximate compression height of 1.66". This gives low compression and leaves the piston down the hole over .100. That's a formula for low compression but also poor fuel economy and lower power..
The FE forum has dozens of 390, 360 to 390, etc builds in it.
"In the day" a 9.5 2V 390 was hardly a "performance" engine, but compared to the pickup motor, it was a little more lively.
If you are going to rebuild it, you would not want to use the existing pistons. However, those pistons have the right specs to give you a 9.5ish compression ratio with the 390 crank and rods, as they are the same spec as 390 car pistons from the late '60s.
"390" pickup pistons are really the same spec as the Mercury 410, with an approximate compression height of 1.66". This gives low compression and leaves the piston down the hole over .100. That's a formula for low compression but also poor fuel economy and lower power..
The FE forum has dozens of 390, 360 to 390, etc builds in it.
"In the day" a 9.5 2V 390 was hardly a "performance" engine, but compared to the pickup motor, it was a little more lively.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2021
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Welcome to FTE!
If you are going to rebuild it, you would not want to use the existing pistons. However, those pistons have the right specs to give you a 9.5ish compression ratio with the 390 crank and rods, as they are the same spec as 390 car pistons from the late '60s.
"390" pickup pistons are really the same spec as the Mercury 410, with an approximate compression height of 1.66". This gives low compression and leaves the piston down the hole over .100. That's a formula for low compression but also poor fuel economy and lower power..
The FE forum has dozens of 390, 360 to 390, etc builds in it.
"In the day" a 9.5 2V 390 was hardly a "performance" engine, but compared to the pickup motor, it was a little more lively.
If you are going to rebuild it, you would not want to use the existing pistons. However, those pistons have the right specs to give you a 9.5ish compression ratio with the 390 crank and rods, as they are the same spec as 390 car pistons from the late '60s.
"390" pickup pistons are really the same spec as the Mercury 410, with an approximate compression height of 1.66". This gives low compression and leaves the piston down the hole over .100. That's a formula for low compression but also poor fuel economy and lower power..
The FE forum has dozens of 390, 360 to 390, etc builds in it.
"In the day" a 9.5 2V 390 was hardly a "performance" engine, but compared to the pickup motor, it was a little more lively.
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360 FE rebuild
So I'm looking to rebuild the engine on my 68 f100 it has a 360 fe but it would be my first time rebuilding an engine just looking for people's input on tips to doing the rebuild as well as what all I would need like is the seals and gaskets enough or do I need to get other parts as well how do I know what kit I need
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It's mainly just worn out seals from age not looking to add power but I have considered doing the 360 to 390 conversion
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 960
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From: Victoria (North Saanich)
It is always about the balance between the time and money you put in and the return you get.
For a stock 390 rebuild very few improvements will give you a return commensurate with the cost. If you want more than it originally had you have to start with a new rotating assembly. 390 crank is the minimum, but you might as well go for a 445 kit. Survival motorsports sells one that is pretty reasonable.
After the crank, next up are modern aluminium heads. Edebrocks are pretty dated now, but still an upgrade from the old iron. To make real progress you need to look at BBM, Survival (FeLony), or TrickFlow. Most are pretty hard to get these days. You probably have to try and get them from someone who deals in them like Brent Lykins. Edlebrock has been in chaos since they were bought and moved. Edelbrock did the castings for Survival, so I don't think either are available.
It is a bit of a wasteland right now.
For a stock 390 rebuild very few improvements will give you a return commensurate with the cost. If you want more than it originally had you have to start with a new rotating assembly. 390 crank is the minimum, but you might as well go for a 445 kit. Survival motorsports sells one that is pretty reasonable.
After the crank, next up are modern aluminium heads. Edebrocks are pretty dated now, but still an upgrade from the old iron. To make real progress you need to look at BBM, Survival (FeLony), or TrickFlow. Most are pretty hard to get these days. You probably have to try and get them from someone who deals in them like Brent Lykins. Edlebrock has been in chaos since they were bought and moved. Edelbrock did the castings for Survival, so I don't think either are available.
It is a bit of a wasteland right now.
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Threads merged.
Look through some threads here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum51/
If you are thinking of just making it a 390 with the pickup 390 sunken piston, save yourself some money and just refresh the 360.
The FE isn't the most difficult engine to work on or "rebuild" but there are tricks to every engine. I suggest again reviewing the FE forum posts. Lots of good ideas, parts suggestions and even a few rebuild failures to learn from You may also want to get an FE specific rebuild book like:
https://www.cartechbooks.com/product...how-to-rebuild
And all kinds of videos etc.
Most will be building hot rod type engines, but the basics are there.
You might do a compression test on the engine to see if you really need to go all the way on a rebuild.
Look through some threads here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum51/
If you are thinking of just making it a 390 with the pickup 390 sunken piston, save yourself some money and just refresh the 360.
The FE isn't the most difficult engine to work on or "rebuild" but there are tricks to every engine. I suggest again reviewing the FE forum posts. Lots of good ideas, parts suggestions and even a few rebuild failures to learn from You may also want to get an FE specific rebuild book like:
https://www.cartechbooks.com/product...how-to-rebuild
And all kinds of videos etc.
Most will be building hot rod type engines, but the basics are there.
You might do a compression test on the engine to see if you really need to go all the way on a rebuild.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
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x2 on the compression test. Before reading that you merged the threads, I wondered how I missed 3 posts
. The only problem I had when I rebuilt my 360 last year was that I screwed up the rear main seal. The two vertical seals gave me a headache. Other than that there was nothing too difficult.
. The only problem I had when I rebuilt my 360 last year was that I screwed up the rear main seal. The two vertical seals gave me a headache. Other than that there was nothing too difficult.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 960
Likes: 10
From: Victoria (North Saanich)
An inquiry on the Fepower dot net site confirms what I said about it being a wasteland. Some of the specialist FE builders may have heads they are holding in stock, in particular Blair Patrick has been mentioned. The good thing about getting heads from someone like Blair or Brent Lykins is they will come very well prepared for your purpose and ready to bolt on. One possible problem is they may at this point prefer to hold them for their own builds.
I have never done business with either but they have stellar reputations, but they mostly focus on big HP and torque builds.
I have never done business with either but they have stellar reputations, but they mostly focus on big HP and torque builds.
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