The 390 vs 428
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 117
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Question for the Gurus 390 vs 428
I have two vehicles. One is a restored 65 T-Bird that I put a rebuilt balanced 428 in and stock intake/exhaust manifolds with an Edelbrock 650. The T-Bird originally had a 390. The second vehicle I have is a 1968 Ford F250 that needs restoration, but I have become quite enamored with. It has a stock 390. I just ran a compression test and all cylinders came out between 120 and 130.
Here is my predicament. I am going to sell my T-Bird and fix up my truck, but I am considering swapping the motors and putting the 428 in the truck and selling the T-Bird with the 390.
Is it worth the effort to hold onto the 428?
Will the 428 perform much better than a 390 provided I upgrade the Intake Manifold and Headers?
What is the value of a 428 vs a 390.
Your help is appreciated.
Josh
Here is my predicament. I am going to sell my T-Bird and fix up my truck, but I am considering swapping the motors and putting the 428 in the truck and selling the T-Bird with the 390.
Is it worth the effort to hold onto the 428?
Will the 428 perform much better than a 390 provided I upgrade the Intake Manifold and Headers?
What is the value of a 428 vs a 390.
Your help is appreciated.
Josh
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
The 428 is worth more than the 390. as far as performance, there's not a whole lot of difference between the two. You're talking about a 30 hp difference. If you think it's worth the trouble to swap engines between two vehicles then go for it.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 117
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From: Phoenix, AZ
I need some help from the Gurus
I have two vehicles. One is a restored 65 T-Bird that I put a rebuilt balanced 428 in and stock intake/exhaust manifolds with an Edelbrock 650. The T-Bird originally had a 390. The second vehicle I have is a 1968 Ford F250 that needs restoration, but I have become quite enamored with. It has a stock 390. I just ran a compression test and all cylinders came out between 120 and 130.
Here is my predicament. I am going to sell my T-Bird and fix up my truck, but I am considering swapping the motors and putting the 428 in the truck and selling the T-Bird with the 390.
Is it worth the effort to hold onto the 428?
Will the 428 perform much better than a 390 provided I upgrade the Intake Manifold and Headers?
What is the value of a 428 vs a 390.
Your help is appreciated.
Josh
Here is my predicament. I am going to sell my T-Bird and fix up my truck, but I am considering swapping the motors and putting the 428 in the truck and selling the T-Bird with the 390.
Is it worth the effort to hold onto the 428?
Will the 428 perform much better than a 390 provided I upgrade the Intake Manifold and Headers?
What is the value of a 428 vs a 390.
Your help is appreciated.
Josh
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
From: Evanston, WY
Keep the 428. It has more value at resale time, and has better potential as a truck motor due to the longer stroke, which translates to better low end torque. Besides, when you tell someone your truck has a 390 (yawn) it's common, when you tell them you have a 428 their ears perk up.
-Scouder
-Scouder
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
You can make more power EASIER with the 428, but the 390 can serve you well also. It depends on what you plan on using the truck for.
If the 428 is just a plain jane'r(ie: not a CJ, SCJ or PI motor), then basically it is worth just about the same. As long as both are in same condition.
I would probably keep the 428, due to the fact they are getting harder to come by. The 390 was used ALOT more, so they are a bit more easier to find(used in trucks up thru the mid 70s). The 428 was done by 69 or so.
Just my thoughts
Larry
If the 428 is just a plain jane'r(ie: not a CJ, SCJ or PI motor), then basically it is worth just about the same. As long as both are in same condition.
I would probably keep the 428, due to the fact they are getting harder to come by. The 390 was used ALOT more, so they are a bit more easier to find(used in trucks up thru the mid 70s). The 428 was done by 69 or so.
Just my thoughts
Larry
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From: Knoxville, TN
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Posting Guru
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From: Colville, Washington
If you have the chance to keep the 428 DO IT!!! They definitely have more pulling power(torque) than the 390. 
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Thanks for teh reply
It is a "Plain Jain 428". You think it will be worth the labor of swapping the motors?
As far as the truck is concerned, it is pretty much going to be for going to Home Depot. I want to restore it and I might do some occasional towing of car trailers, but nothing major.
I live in Phoenix and the 428 seems to run a little warmer than the 390 in the summer. Both vehicles have new radiators. Do you think new intake/exhaust manifolds & ignition will help this?
Josh
As far as the truck is concerned, it is pretty much going to be for going to Home Depot. I want to restore it and I might do some occasional towing of car trailers, but nothing major.
I live in Phoenix and the 428 seems to run a little warmer than the 390 in the summer. Both vehicles have new radiators. Do you think new intake/exhaust manifolds & ignition will help this?
Josh
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
You might want to check out that "390." 352s and 360s have a mysterious predilection of transmogrifying into 390s on sale day. It is highly probable that your engine is not a 390 but a 360. If your VIN indicates a 390, and the engine looks original, then you should be good to go.
Otherwise, I think you would do better to keep the 428 in the T-bird, just for originality's sake. If the T-bird VIN calls for a 428, I believe you can get more out of the T-bird with the 428 for it's originality than you can get out of the 428 separately.
For your truck, the 390 will do quite well, it will deliver all the power you will need, especially since it is in such good condition.
Just my thoughts.
Otherwise, I think you would do better to keep the 428 in the T-bird, just for originality's sake. If the T-bird VIN calls for a 428, I believe you can get more out of the T-bird with the 428 for it's originality than you can get out of the 428 separately.
For your truck, the 390 will do quite well, it will deliver all the power you will need, especially since it is in such good condition.
Just my thoughts.
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