New Guy
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 48
Likes: 16
New Guy
New guy here, long time lurker. Great Info on this site. I'm a newer owner of a 69 F100 Ranger 2wd with a 360FE and a C6 Transmission. I also have a 390FE that will be swapped in this spring/summer. Maybe? The 360 runs so good!!
This is my question. What gasoline grade do you guys use in your trucks? The truck has LT headers, full exhaust, a Elderbrock intake and a 1408 carb with manual choke, also has a unknown cam, sounds great at idle. I checked the timing it's set at 15 degrees. The truck fires right up every time with a bump of the key even in low teens cold weather.
I have ran 91, 89, and Ethanol free 87 I can't tell any difference in the way it runs or starts up. I also live at about 5K feet elevation. Am I wasting my money and should use reg 87, and maybe 91 this summer if I get some fuel ping?
I know this is a broad question, its like asking whats the best oil. If it was fuel injected, Id reply the lowest octane without fuel ping. But its been 30+ years since Ive had a carbureted vehicle and what to be sure Im not messing the carb up. Thanks for any help!
This is my question. What gasoline grade do you guys use in your trucks? The truck has LT headers, full exhaust, a Elderbrock intake and a 1408 carb with manual choke, also has a unknown cam, sounds great at idle. I checked the timing it's set at 15 degrees. The truck fires right up every time with a bump of the key even in low teens cold weather.
I have ran 91, 89, and Ethanol free 87 I can't tell any difference in the way it runs or starts up. I also live at about 5K feet elevation. Am I wasting my money and should use reg 87, and maybe 91 this summer if I get some fuel ping?
I know this is a broad question, its like asking whats the best oil. If it was fuel injected, Id reply the lowest octane without fuel ping. But its been 30+ years since Ive had a carbureted vehicle and what to be sure Im not messing the carb up. Thanks for any help!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 343
Ive put some mid and premium in my 70 f250 before but I didnt notice any difference. I just use the 87 and I dont let the fuel sit for a long time. Its just a stock 360 with converted dual exhaust and electronic ignition.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,545
Likes: 1,156
From: San Jose, CA
I would say absolutely run the 87, until and unless you do hear some that pinging you mentioned.
That’s really the only reason I can think of, especially at your altitude, to run an higher octane.
And if it does ping, but only slightly, you could first start retarding the timing a tiny bit. If it just doesn’t work that way, then go up to the higher grade fuel.
Normally, other than the potential cam issue, or perhaps a bump in compression due to piston or cylinder head change, there’s no reason that your engine needs premium.
Keeping more ignition advance in it, is an advantage at higher altitude. But only if it can tolerate it.
Sounds like yours can so far.
That’s really the only reason I can think of, especially at your altitude, to run an higher octane.
And if it does ping, but only slightly, you could first start retarding the timing a tiny bit. If it just doesn’t work that way, then go up to the higher grade fuel.
Normally, other than the potential cam issue, or perhaps a bump in compression due to piston or cylinder head change, there’s no reason that your engine needs premium.
Keeping more ignition advance in it, is an advantage at higher altitude. But only if it can tolerate it.
Sounds like yours can so far.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 48
Likes: 16
Thank you for your feed back. I had miss spoke about the octane grades we have here because of the elevation. I put $30 of standard 85 in it today. Can't tell any difference in the way it runs or starts.
Gasoline grades available:
85
87
87 Ethanol Free
91
Thanks again for all your feed back!
15 degrees of base timing sound about right for a old 360FE motor?
Gasoline grades available:
85
87
87 Ethanol Free
91
Thanks again for all your feed back!
15 degrees of base timing sound about right for a old 360FE motor?
Last edited by Roush2568; Feb 25, 2024 at 04:35 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Unless the 87 Ethanol free gas is real expensive, that's what I would run in it if it were mine. Reason being because that Ethanol free is closer to what these rigs got and were designed for. Combustion chamber, flame front, top of piston, compression ratio, etc.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 932
Likes: 182
My 2 cents, if the 360 runs well then keep it unless you want to drag race the thing. As a fun driver, grocery getter, dump run truck you likely won't notice enough of a difference to care. I think people feel looked down upon having a 360 but they run well and for a long time.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 48
Likes: 16
I put $30 of Ethanol free 87 in it this morning. I cant tell any difference as of yet. I have a new rebuilt 390 I was going to swap in to the truck this spring. However, the 360 runs SO GOOD. I had the truck at the transmission shop today getting serviced and the shifter seal fixed on the C6. When I picked the truck up the guy commented about how well and strong the truck runs and when he opened the hood he expected to find a newer power train but was surprised to see the Ford FE under the hood.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 249
From: North Pole, Alaska
The 360 in 69 had a 8.4 compression ratio so it is definitely a truck engine. As everybody said, you are wasting your money for higher octane.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 48
Likes: 16
My truck is a original 390 truck. I have no idea what the 360 came out of. The guy I bought the truck from took the 390 out had it rebuilt. He needed to drive the truck so he found and dropped in the 360. He doesn't know what the 360 came out of either. He never reinstalled the 390 because the 360 runs so well. I'm the third owner btw.
So I'm torn now because the 360 does runs so good. It can be in the low teens, sit for a week and that truck will fire up like it's fuel injected.
Do I reinstall the 390 or let it sit on the engine stand until a issue if ever comes up on the 360? Install the 390 and sell the 360? The truck is okay fast, but Im not out racing it, It's just my fun cruising truck. 😎
So I'm torn now because the 360 does runs so good. It can be in the low teens, sit for a week and that truck will fire up like it's fuel injected.
Do I reinstall the 390 or let it sit on the engine stand until a issue if ever comes up on the 360? Install the 390 and sell the 360? The truck is okay fast, but Im not out racing it, It's just my fun cruising truck. 😎
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 932
Likes: 182
My truck is a original 390 truck. I have no idea what the 360 came out of. The guy I bought the truck from took the 390 out had it rebuilt. He needed to drive the truck so he found and dropped in the 360. He doesn't know what the 360 came out of either. He never reinstalled the 390 because the 360 runs so well. I'm the third owner btw.
So I'm torn now because the 360 does runs so good. It can be in the low teens, sit for a week and that truck will fire up like it's fuel injected.
Do I reinstall the 390 or let it sit on the engine stand until a issue if ever comes up on the 360? Install the 390 and sell the 360? The truck is okay fast, but Im not out racing it, It's just my fun cruising truck. 😎
So I'm torn now because the 360 does runs so good. It can be in the low teens, sit for a week and that truck will fire up like it's fuel injected.
Do I reinstall the 390 or let it sit on the engine stand until a issue if ever comes up on the 360? Install the 390 and sell the 360? The truck is okay fast, but Im not out racing it, It's just my fun cruising truck. 😎
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 106
From: COSMOS
I put $30 of Ethanol free 87 in it this morning. I cant tell any difference as of yet. I have a new rebuilt 390 I was going to swap in to the truck this spring. However, the 360 runs SO GOOD. I had the truck at the transmission shop today getting serviced and the shifter seal fixed on the C6. When I picked the truck up the guy commented about how well and strong the truck runs and when he opened the hood he expected to find a newer power train but was surprised to see the Ford FE under the hood.
in the gas tank & crankcase.........Ethanol supposedly dries out rubber fuel parts , etc...etc... and chemically breaks down quickly
From what I have read on these forums about a FE is gas mileage..........or lack of...........I would consider going with a 3:25 gear
& 17 inch wheels with TALL tires.......I try to run 100% non-ethnol in mine but sometimes/manytimes I mix it...........
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 637
I agree with the others, don't swap out engines till they require it. Spend your money on maintenance, tune ups etc. A reliable good running 55 year old vehicle from the start is a luxury many don't have without throwing a ton of money at first.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 48
Likes: 16
It's my fun run around town truck. I drive it every chance I get.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 106
From: COSMOS
Install the 390 in the bed & run 2 motors
I was at SEMA many moons ago ,
& saw a Candy Apple Red Corvette with two engines installed- 
Stacy David had a Rail Dragster with 4 engines in a row that I think "TV Tommy" Ivo used to run............
But 390 heads on the 360 & mount two engines..........
I was at SEMA many moons ago ,
& saw a Candy Apple Red Corvette with two engines installed- Stacy David had a Rail Dragster with 4 engines in a row that I think "TV Tommy" Ivo used to run............
But 390 heads on the 360 & mount two engines..........
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