ford 390
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Sacramento
Can someone please tell me the difference between the FE engines and the other V8's? I have always been under the impression that everything from 351 on up was a big block...however I seem to be mistaken. On a 76 F150 I am looking to purchase, I am told it is a 390, which is the motor I was looking for, because 460 trucks carry high prices and I dont want my first truck to cost that much, and when I do upgrade to 460, I will actually appreciate the increase. I thought the difference in small and big block is the setup of the exhaust ports, i.e. if the middle two are close together, it is a small block, if they all four are evenly spaced, it is a big block. I take it this is not the case. Can someone explain to me the differences in these motors: 351M, 351W,351C, 360, 390, 400 and 460? Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Iowa
well a 360/390 has the pushrods go through the intake because the intake is huge, about 80 lbs, a 360/390 are FE big blocks, the 460 is the 385 series big block, the 351's and 400 are small blocks, if the truck your looking at has a 390 i wouldnt waste the time to change it to a 460, the 390 has a lot of potential, good luck
Junior User
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From: Sacramento
Thanks fordman, I should have been more specific. Just what exactly is and FE big block and what it makes it different from its larger 385 series big blocks? What does the FE stand for? Thanks.
Ian
Ian
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From: Iowa
FE stands for ford edsel, it started in 1958 with the 332-352, the most unique part of the FE was like what i stated before they have huge intake mainfolds and the pushrods run through them, valve covers also bolt to the head and intake manifold, the biggest of the FE was the 428, but the 427 really kicked but.
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From: Lewistown, PA
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: iowa
Originally Posted by fordman428
nope the last year for a FE was 76, i have heard of very very few FE's getting thrown in the early 77's, from old ford factory workers, but i have never seen one.
Same here!
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
engine bore
just curious what would happen to a 390 bored .65 over thanks to a screw up at the engine shop.its not that bad they even stroked they said for the standard price
Posting Guru
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From: Eureka, Ca.
If there was any core shift you can expect it too run hot or even bust out a cylinder wall. Or it might just run fine. If they screwed it up make them replace the block. More than likely it is not any good now that they went that far over.. I don't know if you can get off the shelf pistons for .65 over anyway.
Posting Guru
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From: Iowa
yeah i would say its there screw up they should pay for a new block, your takeing a chance running .065 over, i took the chance to run mine .060 over only because it was sonic checked and it can take an .080 overbore, most FE's cant, and randy's right i dont know where you would get .065 over pistons at to begin with, goodluck
P.S dont let that shop get the best of you either
P.S dont let that shop get the best of you either
Last edited by fordman428; Apr 7, 2004 at 07:59 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
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From: Iowa
Maybe the .065" overbore wasn't a mistake. I know mine is .034" oversize, since the pistons are exactly .030" oversize, and they need the extra .004" to expand, since they're forged. Otherwise, the first time I run it they'd seize in the bore! My guess is that is where the extra .005" came from.
Sero390, you're probably around 435ft-lbs at 2000rpm, dropping quickly thereafter.
Sero390, you're probably around 435ft-lbs at 2000rpm, dropping quickly thereafter.
Last edited by rusty70f100; Apr 7, 2004 at 08:22 PM.