Miles from an FE
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 839
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From: outback
Miles from an FE
How many mile can one get out of an FE? Since it is such a big chunk of metal i would thing that there would be a lot of 300k mile plus trucks out there, but seems most people rebuild them at just over 100k. I consider 100k to be a new engine!
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
I have almost 270K on mine - been re-ringed and a valve job once, thinking of doing a rebuild now. The retired Ford mechanic that lives next to me claims 800K on his 428 with two rebuilds. I beleive him.
We both drive with a soft foot, unless there is some old fart with a power stroke who thinks he can pull his fifth wheel over a hill faster then we can pull our pull type campers - then we blow his doors off.
We both drive with a soft foot, unless there is some old fart with a power stroke who thinks he can pull his fifth wheel over a hill faster then we can pull our pull type campers - then we blow his doors off.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 938
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
My 352 had over 287,000 on it when I pulled it. It burned and leaked oil, but it ran and had decent power. It also had plenty of blowby. Modern oils will extend the life of your engine drasically, that is one reason why itll last longer now then it would have back then.
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
My 70 F250 I bought in 72, It had a 12 1/2' overhead Camper on it for 30 years and also pulled my race car and trailer behind, and also my boat for a number of years..
I broke down and had it rebuilt at 180,000 miles..My little Bro did the rebuild, because I new nothing about Fords at that time...He called me after he pulled the motor, an ask me to look at it, I did....and it wasnt very worn at all...
But I allways stayed on top of the truck..being it was our Rec. Vehicle at the time..
But now at 320,000+ miles on the truck..1 rebuild, 1 carb, 1 Tranny, 3 alternators, 6 sets of tires, and 4 batteries..she is still running strong...and will be with me til the Day I Die!! Best dam truck I have ever owned!! and probably will...
Sorry for the long thread... Guys...Just a soft spot in my heart for that ole Truck!
Russ
I broke down and had it rebuilt at 180,000 miles..My little Bro did the rebuild, because I new nothing about Fords at that time...He called me after he pulled the motor, an ask me to look at it, I did....and it wasnt very worn at all...
But I allways stayed on top of the truck..being it was our Rec. Vehicle at the time..
But now at 320,000+ miles on the truck..1 rebuild, 1 carb, 1 Tranny, 3 alternators, 6 sets of tires, and 4 batteries..she is still running strong...and will be with me til the Day I Die!! Best dam truck I have ever owned!! and probably will...
Sorry for the long thread... Guys...Just a soft spot in my heart for that ole Truck!
Russ
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
lots of miles
on my old 69 Flareside i ran the factory 360 535K with one valve job, two timing chains and three water pumps, that was until 1986. Ran that truck to 843K with the 410, put the 410 in a 68 CS, 18 years later now at 298K. Ran a bore scope inside, damn bores in great shape, no leaks or oil burning. I'm getting bored with this engine and want to build a 484". Did i ever tell you about the time when i ran chebbys and broke three motors in less than two weeks? Two tows and an oil mess in the street, thats another story, later. Carl........o&o>.........
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FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Carl, in 72 I bought a brand new Chevy Cheyenne 1 ton,with the 402 in it turbo 400 and locker rear end..that motor lasted 28,000 miles...and GM would not make it right with me.... it tore all the webbing out of the lower end...so I had to buy another block and start over...I built the motor..sold the truck 2 days later...
And bought my ford..and have never looked back since!! and she's still running..but just not having to do all the stuff I asked of her, early in her life!
Russ
And bought my ford..and have never looked back since!! and she's still running..but just not having to do all the stuff I asked of her, early in her life!
Russ
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 938
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by RapidRuss
My 70 F250 I bought in 72, It had a 12 1/2' overhead Camper on it for 30 years and also pulled my race car and trailer behind, and also my boat for a number of years..
I broke down and had it rebuilt at 180,000 miles..My little Bro did the rebuild, because I new nothing about Fords at that time...He called me after he pulled the motor, an ask me to look at it, I did....and it wasnt very worn at all...
But I allways stayed on top of the truck..being it was our Rec. Vehicle at the time..
But now at 320,000+ miles on the truck..1 rebuild, 1 carb, 1 Tranny, 3 alternators, 6 sets of tires, and 4 batteries..she is still running strong...and will be with me til the Day I Die!! Best dam truck I have ever owned!! and probably will...
Sorry for the long thread... Guys...Just a soft spot in my heart for that ole Truck!
Russ
I broke down and had it rebuilt at 180,000 miles..My little Bro did the rebuild, because I new nothing about Fords at that time...He called me after he pulled the motor, an ask me to look at it, I did....and it wasnt very worn at all...
But I allways stayed on top of the truck..being it was our Rec. Vehicle at the time..
But now at 320,000+ miles on the truck..1 rebuild, 1 carb, 1 Tranny, 3 alternators, 6 sets of tires, and 4 batteries..she is still running strong...and will be with me til the Day I Die!! Best dam truck I have ever owned!! and probably will...
Sorry for the long thread... Guys...Just a soft spot in my heart for that ole Truck!
Russ
Just kidding.That story about the chevy is not suprising, ive had a few chevy-incidents of my own. Thats why I havent bought one for years, ill stick to what works.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
the nose is for air only
Russ that hurt, i just finished my pizza and started on another Killian's Irish Red when i read your chebby adventure, "der bier vent up der nose der vong vay". Back in 79 a hot rod friend did a road test on a chebby 3/4 ton with the salesman riding shotgun, they left Alameda 1/4 mile and got on the highway 17, now it's 880, nailed it hard, vented the block with two rods, end of test.
I ran a 69 AMC with a 463" engine, then a 67 Dodge 1/2 with 318 3 speed, 8-9 mpg. Got some brains, now stuck on Fords. Hope personal things are getting better with you Russ. Carl...o&o........
I ran a 69 AMC with a 463" engine, then a 67 Dodge 1/2 with 318 3 speed, 8-9 mpg. Got some brains, now stuck on Fords. Hope personal things are getting better with you Russ. Carl...o&o........
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
140k
I have a 360 with 140K orginal miles and did a top-end on it to fix an exhuast leak issue that required machine work to correct. I had the exhaust valve seats replaced and had the sticks ground, but that's it. I micro the cylinders while it was down and there was very little wear....the honing marks were still very visable. So, I think it depends on the care of the engine. My last 360 had 397K before a wrist pin knock lead to a full rebuild.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
I have an original 66 merc 390 with around 290K or so on it. Put the last 40K on it in my 70 f250. Used more oil than I liked, but ran like a champ. It had the living heck ran out of it before I got it. It was in a car my friend bought just to rally around in on his farm. The engine was at scatter speed all the time and still ran great after nearly a year of torture when the rest of the car was so trashed he needed to buy a new one. I bought it for $100. I put a used timing chain in it as half the plastic teeth were missing from the original one and I tossed in a mystery RV type cam that was in the cracked-block 390 that came in my 70 f250 when I bought it. I bet if it had been treated to decent oil and regular changes in it's life the old girl would be good for another 100K or so. It sits on my shop floor right now as I built a new 390 for my truck. I'll find something to throw that engine in though.