Im an owner of a 68 Shortbed with what is believed to be a 390 sitting under the hood. Atleast that if what the title said.. ( I am pending on VIN #'s. ) Ive had the truck but never wanted to do too much, but do to a recent accident in my other truck Ive decided I want to do some work. I was just wondering, if I cant find a VIN # then how do I tell what the engine actually is.. Also. I am leaning towards a 460 motor swap. Would it be better to just leave the 390 ( if it is so ) and tear into that? Just looking for some advice/knowledge/experience.

Thanks All

 

Yeah build up the 390. A 460 swap will require a new tranny, new motor mounts, and I dont know if it would fit all right with the steering box. FE's are the best keep it and build it up.

 

When you have the VIN, let us know. Of course, that assumes the motor is original to the truck. It will cost as much if not less to upgrade your current motor than to swap in a different engine family/tranny. Check out the "Read First sticky FAQ" thread at the top of the forum, all the info you will need is located in there...

--Mike

 

All depends on what you want to do. A 460 would be nice but all the extras needed to get the truck on the road.. might be a little pricy. If all you want to do is wake up the 390.. depending on your budget and what you will do with the truck. A set of headers, dual exhaust, an aftermarket intake manifold can make a big difference on your opinion of the 390. That will be the cheaper way out in my opinion. Again this all depends on how you will use the truck once all is done. I personally decided to take my 360 and convert it to a 390. But that works for me. Hope your project goes well.

Madmike33

 

Not to mention new springs. 460's are about 100lbs heavier than an FE.

I say build up the 390.

 

Once again. Thanks for the info. I just talked to my dad this morning. He has the uncanny nack of calling me in the early morning ( I work afternoons ) and he believes it is a 360 cause we think its the original motor and he found a book that we got with the truck, saying the original was a 360. ( still wont know till I dig in ). Reading around the post it looks like poeple are getting the power I want ( Mid 400-500 ) out of there same engines and its less then what I would be looking at for a 460. ( Always love saving money ). I also learned I have an FMX tranny ( which I have been told are a bit weak ) along with a Dana 44 engine. SO with this I came up with a few questions:

1) Parts. To get the horsepower I want, are the parts pretty easy too find? I knowtice a lot of people put a *bigger* cam in for towing. I really dont plan on doing that at all. I am looking a strip truck that I can still cruise to the local shows.

2) The tranny. Should I rebuild the FMX completely with stall converter or go with a c6? I was also looking at maybe just getting one front Art Carr ( Spendy, but worthy ). It has a 3 speed Auto right now and I want to keep that. Maybe go 4 speed? Would it be worth it?

3) Dana 44. They are rare, but not the strongest. Could it hold up, or should I look at getting a Ford 9". Now, where could I get one froma junk yard. ( what years? ) Or, should I just go new. Would I have to get the axles shortened?

4) Gears.. I got Highway gears in it right now. I hate it. So sluggish.. Would 4.11 be good, but still streetable?


Sorry for all the questions, but I am trying to learn as much as possible for this is going to be my first project and I plan on doing all that I can myself. Thanks again fellas.

 

Glad to see your looking at fixing up the FE.

-Check out Summit Racing for parts. Also take a look at Rattsmoker's thread on building up an FE... Lots of good advice on building up that 360.
-Personally I would go with a C6 if you can get your hands on one.
-Are you looking for a rear or front axle? Rear Definately go for a Dana 60. If you are looking for a front, Go with a HD Dana44 open knuckle with disk brakes or Dana 60. You don't have to stick with axles off a ford. You can fit Danas off GM's. Look into that.
-4.10/4.11 Are stong but rough on a gas tank(also less top speed) depending on what kind of riding you'll be doing.

Good luck
Madmike33

 

Thanks for the info. I did a little research through Edelbrocks site.. Also, on the front end. I am not sure, this is a 2x4 that I hoping to be my track toy. As for the gears, if 4.10/4.11 are a bit ruff, what would I be looking at? I believe I have 3.73? Been gone for my truck for so long..

 

To get the HP you want, you need to convert the 360 to a 390 or find a 427 or 428 and swap them in. ( bolt in for a 360) As for the rear, I'd swap in a 9", they're tough as a dana 60 and weigh a lot less, also they're a dime a dozen for Ford trucks. The FMX is tougher than you think, their only drawback is the lack of aftermarket support.

 

If you're looking to build a track toy well "Baddad" is right the ford 9" is a good inexpensive alternative, the dana 60s are pricy even as a junker. And like we all said convert 390 for more power.

Madmike33

 

I have two 68's with 390's in them both.
The one was originally a 300 I6 with three on the tree.
I say build the 390.
I have some 63 performance heads on it with some port work and an opened up intake. Add a medium cam and a larger 750 carb and a few bits and pieces like the ignitor inside the distributor cap and I'm pushing over 350 horse out of a motor that will live forever.
You can not go wrong building a 390 . . .

my two cents.

P.S. wanna buy my other 68 anyone???

 

Hey F-9000,
What is the casting number on your heads, what kind of port work did you have done and how much did it cost? Did you have your engine on a dyno?

 

I would have to look at the castings, We did all the port work ourselves at our shop, and no to the dyno.
All I remember is that they are 1963 I can look if I find the time.

 

hey guys, haven't posted in quite a while . but to add a little more HP to a 390, what about replacing the heads with a set of 428 heads, they are a little thiner and give you a lot more clearance on the sides to put those headers on. plus they give about another 20hp to boot


60ford351

 

Uh, last time I checked , 428 heads are the same as 390 heads. Now 428CJ heads are slightly different, in terms of the valve sizes, but dimensionally they're still the same as 390 heads, no easier to bolt headers on than any other FE head. On the down side the chambers can be a little larger than 390 heads, which drops the compression a little, not good for power production, so some of the benefit of the larger valves is lost because of that, unless you mill them first.