Hi, I've been wanting to get an engine to rebuild and then find a truck to put it in later. I wanted an engine that would suit a 4x4. I had a 79 Ford F-250 that had a 390 in it, but it didn't run anytime I had it, it was a project that I traded. When I had it, I had a lot of people tell me that the 390 was an unreliable engine and that I should use a 460. A 460 seems a little over the top for me and I don't want to have to tow the gas station behind me. Is there any fuel mileage difference in the two? Also I would just like general advice as this is my first time trying to rebuild an engine. The 390 seems like a stout yet modest choice. Let me know what you think!

 

These people told you wrong. The 390, and all of the FE series, is bulletproof when built correctly. And that's what we're here for!

As for mileage, my '70 F100 gets around 15mpg. I cant say that for a 460, since I've never had one. But I have my doubts...

A 390 can be built anywhere from mild to wild, for a heavy duty dump truck all the way to an all-out drag racer. And we can recommend a good build for any of the above. Let us know your priorities, how much power you want, how much you want to spend, and we'll cook up a good build for you. There's no reason to change out a 390 to a 460 IMO. Also, remember that a 460 is a good 100lbs heavier than an FE. Change to an aluminum intake and that number goes up. Important for a 4x4.

Let us know.

Oh, and welcome to FTE!

 

Thanks a lot. I feel the 390 is more suitable to my needs. My dad had a 390 in a 66 Fairlane GT but it probably wasn't built the same as mine needs to be built. I'm new to the automotive world, but I'm picking stuff up somewhat fast for only being 17. I want it set up for a 4x4, and I want a lot of power and torque, not speed at all. I would also like some info on manuals and books to use since this is my first time rebuilding. I can do basic work and I figure with a little time and patientice I can get it done. And with the help of experts lol. I prefer buying parts through Jegs if that helps any. Thanks!

 

Yes Welcome to FTE, Enjoy your stay!!

Well I can argue for and against either Motor!! As Kurt said it all depends on what the Final intent of your truck will be?
And if your new to Automotive, I would stay with the 390 and make it work for you!! A 460 in a truck is real nice with a couple of performance Parts, But its NOT a walk in the Park install if your new to the game...

And as far as the 390 goes..Like RustyF100 said..It All depends on how deep your pockets are or how big you wallet is?? That is a Major Factor unless you own a Machine shop..and have an Uncle with a speed shop?

I have a mild 390 in my 70 F250 (i wish it was faster) but it pulls like a mule!

And I'am also putting together a Stroker 460 for another project..but that wont be pulling anything but the front tires off the ground!!

"Keep On Truckin"

Russ

 

Welcome, I have a 66 F-100 4x4 with a 67 Fairlane GT 390, this is very bulletpoof and it gets about 15 mpg on the open road. I also have a 80 Bronco with a 460, it is also a very good truck, but it gets 10 mpg. Of the two the 66 with the 390 is my choice. Good luck with your build whichever way you go and remenber to have fun with it.

 

We'll rid you of that habit. Jegs tends to drain your pocketbook. You want the book "How to Rebuild Big-Block Ford Engines" by Steve Christ. This is the FE bible IMO.

So you want torque, not concerned with horsepower? I can suggest a good build for that.

 

Thanks a lot guys, you've been quite helpful so far. I haven't bought anything from Jegs, but I thought they had a good selection. Please let me know which place you guys prefer. I'll try to explain more on what I want the engine to do so you might be able to recommend specific parts. I now am going with the 390 and not the 460. I want a truck with torque and power, and not speed. It can go from 0-60 in a day and a half lol, I'd rather it be able to pull a tree out of the ground. Now I know a lot of this depends on other factors such as your axles and tranny and so forth. I'm not real sure the difference between horsepower and torque, if you could explain that would really help. The truck will be geared low for power, and to be honest I actually want the truck to be somewhat slow and really powerful, so if you're riding in it you feel like you could pull anything. However I don't want the truck to be so slow that it gets stuck in the mud because it sinks from slowness lol. Thanks again guys.

 

Do you already have a motor to rebuild, or not? That's the first thing to get. I'd look for a 390 out of an F250, at the junkyard.

 

No I don't. The guy I traded my truck to lives right down the road (don't ask what I traded it for, it's embarassment that starts with a "C") and he is trying to sell it. So I might be able to just buy the engine out of it or the engine tranny duo. If I went to a junkyard what would be a fair price to pay so they don't rip me off?

 

Well I'll tell ya, every junkyard is a little different. Try to find an older one that lets you roam around and pick what you need, and pull it yourself. I got an old 360 motor that I used for parts when I put my 390 together for $35. I found it laying on the side of one of their roads up there. Dont expect that kind of deal though. For a running one, expect to pay up to $200, I wouldn't pay more than that unless it runs real good. The best value is probably had by finding one in an old junker vehicle in back (you know the ones I'm talking about... haven't been disturbed in years). Make sure the crankshaft turns and you should be good to go.

Try to find one that hasn't been picked apart, with all the accessory brackets, intake, carburetor (you'll probably replace it later but it keeps water out), valve covers, oil pan, hood down so water cant get in. Check to make sure no rods are sticking out the side of the block before you get too far.

I just look for one without rods sticking out the side and go with it. If it doesn't turn, it will by the time you're done rebuilding it. It's a little risky doing it this way, but usually turns out ok.

 

Ok, now how about that torque and power? And could you clear up the horsepower, torque, and other things to consider? Like I said I don't really mind slowness as long as it can pull a lot and get its way around rough terrain. Also I was wondering what the FE stood for, and if I should find a 390 HO or are they all HO? Thanks!

 

I'd go with the 460 if I started with nothing (or a 429). The reason I stuck with a 390 is because that is what my pickup had when I got it, and I didn't want to bother with an engine swap. There is no replacement for displacement.

460's are a power house and have huge torque numbers, but do tend to get really poor mileage. We ran a stock car 460 in a '77 F250 crew cab for a lot of years to tow our Case 580C backhoe around and it would pull that up our steepest grade thats on the main highway near here at 45-50 mph when running it hard, when our International 4200 series dump truck with an 8 cyl detroit would pull it 35 mph (dump truck unloaded).

Nothing wrong with the FE of course, just my .02

Jordan

 

I wouldn't worry about getting an HO or anything special like that. It'll just add to the price. It'll have a high enough output by the time we're done with it.

I cant really start quoting hp and torque numbers without stating a build, so here goes:

1. Start with a truck 390, out of an F250.
2. Use a Crane 343901 camshaft, convert the valvetrain to an adjustable setup with adjustable rocker arms and pushrods available at DSC Motorsports.
3. Have all necessary machine work done, bore oversize, regrind crank if necessary, regrind and replace valves as necessary, 3 angle valve seat job, blah blah blah.
4. Have the heads ported. It helps a lot.
5. Use the Silvolite 1130 pistons. They have the correct compression height.
6. Use a .020" thick copper shim head gasket.
7. Use a 4-barrel intake, for torque look for the stock 4-barrel intake. It may be on the motor from the junkyard, if it is, clean it up and use it.
8. Get a 600cfm vacuum secondary carburetor. The stock 4-barrel is around 500cfm, and will probably need work. I prefer Holleys myself.
9. Put a good set of headers on it.

The above build results in about 9.5:1 compression, 352hp @ 5000rpm, and 442ft-lbs @ 3000rpm.

 

The old FE wins hands down, in my opinion. I've owned two 460's and several FE's. The 460's have the displacement advantage, but the FE's in my opinion are easier to maintain. And you won't have to tear everything apart to remove broken water pump bolts like I'm doing on my 460.

 

hey if your lookin for a good running 390 with good c-6 I just got on out of a f-100 1977 I was parting out, I live in washinton so I dont know how much shipping would be but I could make a good deal for ya.