352 FE Rebuild

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 20, 2025 | 05:14 PM

Boehc7

Thread Starter

5th Wheeling

Joined: Apr 2023

Posts: 36

Likes: 3

From: Colorado

352 FE Rebuild

Hey everyone, I have a 352 FE that I got for free when I bought my '66 F100. Recently I blew the rear main wide open on the 360 that's in the truck, so now I'm exploring my options for beefing this 352 up before dropping it into the truck. I'm spending a few months away from the truck but I do have the 352 with me so i figured now was a good time to getterdone. The engine does have a crack in one of the cylinder walls so as I understand it, I need to get sonic tested before committing to the machining? How far would I be able to bore it out if I have to sleeve that cylinder? I've heard that FE heads can get really worn out, so I'm also wondering if I should spend the money machining these or buying new heads? I'm not looking to make this thing into a drag truck or anything, I just want it to have some good power and be a little more fun. I plan on keeping the NP435 that the truck has in it. So I was mainly looking at bore/stroking it out to a 390 or 410. What are y'alls thoughts? I want to do as much of the rebuild as I can myself, but I will be having a shop machine it. Will I need them to balance the crank or anything as well?

Thanks in advance!
Hayden

Feb 20, 2025 | 06:29 PM

DaveMcLain

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2020

Posts: 2,675

Likes: 784

I would probably try to find a complete 390 to start with. The difference in bore size is only .050 but the rods, crank and pistons are different to make it into the larger engine so you wouldn't be using any of that stuff from your 352 anyway.

FE heads can be a mess that need tons of work or they can be in pretty good shape you just never know. Most of the time on those we resurface the deck as well as the exhaust side of the head. Also they always need hardened seats on the exhaust side to be unleaded fuel compatible. Valves oddly are no problem.