Engine line-up

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 7, 2005 | 01:04 AM

Sgt_Pepper17

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 212

Likes: 1

Engine line-up

Hey guys.

I'm lookin to buy a Ford truck with a 360, 390, 400, or one of the 351s (don't care which.) I am wondering which one of these engines has the most potential for power. I'm really confused about the 360. Is it as good as a 390? Keep in mind that I would like to build an engine for as cheap as possible. Also, if the engine runs well, I would love to just leave it alone and drive it.

What engine has the most power stock?
What engine would be the cheapest to rebuild?
What engine will get the best gas milage?
What engine will be easiest to get parts for?
How good is a 360?
What engine is the most modifiable?
What engine is the most durable?

Thanks.

Erik

Feb 7, 2005 | 03:47 AM

fordeverpower

Postmaster

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,934

Likes: 0

From: iowa

1. 390/400/360/351m/351w
2. 351w/351m and 400/ 360 and 390
3. 351w/335/fe
4. 351w/the rest of them
5. never drove one
6. 351w/fe/335
7. 351w/fe/335 suck

Now my bias disclaimer! I own a 351cleveland, drive a 390, 2 spare fe motors, and no 351ws.

My overall ratings
1 351w
2 390
3 400
4 360
5 351m

my breakdown
351w has lots of aftermarket support, good durability, smallest heads of the group, fair gas mileage.

390 good power and torque, aftermarket parts are pricey, questional gas mileage, good durability, several people say they are good engines.

400 has longest stroke at 4 inches, good heads, poor aftermarket selection, questionable reliability, smog crap,

360 aftermarket parts are pricey, most owners want the 390, good durability, fair mileage unless its kurts truck in which is awesome, same heads as 390.

351m good heads, smog crap, poor aftermarket, questionable reliability, gas mileage is questionable.

Last edited by fordeverpower; Feb 7, 2005 at 04:00 AM.

Feb 7, 2005 | 08:38 AM

Six Niner

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 375

Likes: 0

From: East TN.

if youre wanting to build as cheap as possible i think someone posted this previously...FE stands for freakin expensive! but ive also got four grand in my 351 windsor. i think ive got 2500 in my 390. depends on the level of fun you want. you know you play you pay.

Feb 7, 2005 | 11:54 AM

rusty70f100

Post Fiend

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 8,600

Likes: 4

From: Iowa

Oh the cost is not that bad. If you want to keep it stock, the rebuild kits cost as much as anything else. Start with a truck 390. Go down to Napa and get the rebuild kit for a car 390, and get the pistons with it. Be sure to run headers. You wont be disappointed.

Now if you want to hop it up, then yes, it will cost somewhat more.

Feb 7, 2005 | 10:16 PM

Sgt_Pepper17

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 212

Likes: 1

i just want to rebuild the motor, probably no boring. I will put new rings and bearings in, get a new cam, lap the valves in and put an aluminum intake and a holley 4bbl on top with headers.

Erik

Feb 7, 2005 | 10:32 PM

Sgt_Pepper17

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 212

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordeverpower

my breakdown
351w has lots of aftermarket support, good durability, smallest heads of the group, fair gas mileage.

390 good power and torque, aftermarket parts are pricey, questional gas mileage, good durability, several people say they are good engines.

360 aftermarket parts are pricey, most owners want the 390, good durability, fair mileage unless its kurts truck in which is awesome, same heads as 390.

So here's the thing, if the 360 has the same block as the 390 but has a shorter stroke, then wouldn't aftermarket stuff be the same for the both of them. I mean like headers and intakes. Also, I've heard a lot of guys just want to make thier 360 into a 390 but I think if I had one I would just leave it a 360 and see how it did. It's gotta have gobs of torque. I heard that they have very low compression ratios. Could this be fixed by decking the block and shavin the heads? Any suggestions?

Erik

Feb 8, 2005 | 11:04 AM

fordeverpower

Postmaster

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,934

Likes: 0

From: iowa

yes the pats for the 390 and 360 are the same such as dizzys, intakes, headers, heads, etc. Yes milling the deck and the heads will help the low compression and so would pistons with a taller compression height. BTW the 390 has more torque.