360? Need opinions.
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360? Need opinions.
I've had my truck for a few months now, it has a 360 currently needing little work to get her going. Is it worth the work or should I go bigger. What does everyone think of these motor's in their 67-72s. I heard a lot of bad but I'm looking to hear some good.
Thanks
Rick
Thanks
Rick
New User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: marin county, ca
my 360 has 148,000mi & it runs fine. when this motor dies im installing a 390 with aluminum manifold & edelbrock carb. 360s are probebly the most common engine & are found in delevery,utility & even cargo trucks. their low compression ratio makes it ideal for low octane fuels so if you arnt raceing this is your baby
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 61
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From: Bothell, WA
My 360 had low oil pressure due to worn main bearing shells. I replaced it with a remanufactured 390, just because it was so easy to get the extra 30 cubic inches. It's a big, heavy, unit that runs very well - really quite smooth, quiet and powerful.
I was able to pick up new or remanufactured accessories (water pump, distributor, carb, alternator etc) from my local NAPA very easily and for modest prices. I had never swapped an engine before, but had no trouble getting the 360 out and the 390 in, it was really easy to work on.
You could presumably replace the 360 with any of the other FE blocks offered originally on these trucks with for very little trouble. In standard trim these motors really aren't working very hard, and produce a very modest amount of power for their size. You can very easily get a lot more power from one without doing anything very fancy, just start with something a bit better than the stock carb and go from there.
Kevin
I was able to pick up new or remanufactured accessories (water pump, distributor, carb, alternator etc) from my local NAPA very easily and for modest prices. I had never swapped an engine before, but had no trouble getting the 360 out and the 390 in, it was really easy to work on.
You could presumably replace the 360 with any of the other FE blocks offered originally on these trucks with for very little trouble. In standard trim these motors really aren't working very hard, and produce a very modest amount of power for their size. You can very easily get a lot more power from one without doing anything very fancy, just start with something a bit better than the stock carb and go from there.
Kevin
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Accokeek, MD
In 93 I bought a 68 with a 360. I totally strippd it down and rebuilt it with a .30 bore, new cams, valves, manifold and included 2, yes 2, 4 barrel carbs. LOTS of horespower. I had zero problems with this engine for 8 years. needless to say it wasn't a daily driver, but is was streetable and reliable.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
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From: Near Fresno, California
The 360 - and all FEs - are good stout truck motors. With normal upkeep they are bullet proof and last forever. If the truck has enough power for what you are doing I would keep it stock and do what ever fixing it needs.
If you feel the need for more power I would change out the crank and make it into a 390 or a 410, and then start adding aftermarket headers, carb, and cam. It is not very expensive to get impressive numbers from a FE, and the more you spend the more power you can get.
If you feel the need for more power I would change out the crank and make it into a 390 or a 410, and then start adding aftermarket headers, carb, and cam. It is not very expensive to get impressive numbers from a FE, and the more you spend the more power you can get.
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Being a teen in all, I'd enjoy to be able to smoke the tires once in awhile. From the sounds of things I dont think a stock 360 would be a good motor for that lol. I do have a 390 GT and 428 though but I was going to try and keep the old girl stock.
Rick
Rick
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
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From: Near Fresno, California
Stick the 428 in and have a ball - if you use a stock manifold and 4 bbl carb, plus the painted steel valve covers no one will be able to tell its not a 360.
You do need headers - but just use cheap plain painted 1 7/8 tube type - don't make it look like anything special. I love to make my trucks into sleepers - and egg some dummy into a race.
You do need headers - but just use cheap plain painted 1 7/8 tube type - don't make it look like anything special. I love to make my trucks into sleepers - and egg some dummy into a race.
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Fleet Owner
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Rick, What a delima to have. The 360, 390, and 428 are all the same family engine with different measurements inside. Any will make a great truck engine. Either the 390 or 428 would be a nice replacement, is one fresher than the other?
John
John
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marengo, Iowa
the 360 and 390 share the same block, with same bore, the only thing needed to change a 360 to a 390 is the crank and pistons. If you want to keep the original look, and such, that would be an option, but the 390 looks identical to a 360 for obvious reasons, but if you were to do a rebuild, rather than go buy one to rebuild I would just change it to be a 390 internally. I had one in a 75 highboy, and smoking the tires was quite easy...
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Joined: Apr 2004
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i had a 360 in my 68. the guy that owned it before my ran it out of oil. when i got it, it was using 1qt. every 50 mi. of 40w oil. it was a tough motor i drove it another 3,000 miles until the #8 cylinder wasn't firing when it was cold and slobbered oil out the exaust. but when i drove it into my shop to swap it with a used 390 all it took was a turn of the key and it started FE's don't want to die!! in my opinion saty with the 360 because you won't find a more trouble free reliable motor.
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Thanks for all the input everyone, still not to sure what to do yet. Hopefully I make up my mind soon. Its just that I been told and that 360 has no jump and go at all and I know with the other motors I have they do. But I'm still trying to keep the old girl stock, maybe I'll just do a complete rebuilt of the 360.