I have a couple rebuilt 400ms in my broncs but give me an old FE engine any day,Ive had quite a few 352's 360's 390's and they have to haul some serious weight as I use them as work trucks doing treework.They can be temperamental at times but are absolute almost indestuctible beasts.I have a 390 never rebuilt that I know of with the mains and rings so wore it burns at least a quart of oil a day and holds at most 5 lbs pressure idling and 20 wide open runs hotter than hell and I've been waiting for it to blow for 10 yrs and running most every day too.

 

You can really get lost when considering what engine to run in these trucks and you don't have to go to other side to power you vehicle. When I first got my 50 panel I had decided to put something unusual under the hood. I have a 89 T-bird super coupe engine built and ready to install. It just so happens I put it back in the coupe till I'm ready to put it in the truck. I have the truck left from my son that has created the real quandry. It has a 360 but I want something with more torque. In looking at the options I considered the 400m because of the 4 square design but then there was the problem of getting the tranny to bolt up to it. I have decided to stay in the FE family and am building a 410. It is as close to 4 square as I can get and still use the C-6 tranny. Ford has so many different families of engines and the combinations are many.

Gear Up

 

Hey treeman,

With the price of oil and using a quart a day you'd be better off rebuilding that thing.

 

I currently have a siezed 302 and I had wanted a 351c but I'm kind of flopping back and forth on the Cleveland or the windsor. The po did a pretty fair job of the cross member and motor mounts so I'm thinking I would have less head aches if I just went with the windsor - should bolt right up, right? I 'm kind of under the impression that to really get some horse power out of a windor you almost have to go with aluminum hp heads, any opinions on this? -thanx

 

From what I have heard the bellhousing pattern is different on the windsor verses the cleveland. With the various types of cams available and the large valved small chamber heads you can produce some good horsepower without using aluminum heads.
As for rebuilding the 360 over doing the 410 I will go the extra cubes because it will be used for towing a camper and boat. Am also planning to install some type of overdrive and change rear end gears to up the mileage when not towing. A little thought has been put into the whole program.

Gear Up

 

How about the motor mounts on the windsor? Would they match up the same as a 302? (showing ignorance here , but I don't care - it's late!)

 

460/C-6 combo in a 53 F-250....Ford in a Ford!!! The only way to go!

RHW, The mounts should bolt right up no problem on the windsor. How much HP are you looking to make? If your putting this into a truck, you might want to try for torque and not HP.

 

I'm on the purist list.....My F3 has her original flattie 6....I prefer Chevy motors......stay in Chevys!

 

I am hoping to get about 300 hp -not planning on doing any pulling or towing with her - just some light hauling (2x4's and some building supplies for projects now and then & the occasional couch/ washer/ dryer thing)

 

RHW,
Then you should be fine with a 351W. They can easily produce 300 HP without the aid of aluminum heads. Take the original heads off, and have the thermactor bumps removed. That will free up a few horses. Then put in the right cam and lifter set along with a decent intake (a Wiend should work fine) put on a Holley 650 or so, and you'll be happy.

I currently run a 351W in my 67 mustang. It has the stock casting heads on it. I did a little port work on the heads though in addition to removing the thermactor bumps. I also had the heads decked about .030 in order to increase compression. I am running the Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and cam set along with Kieth Black domed pistons (not really good on the street) and a Holley 750 vacume secondary carb. My motor is putting out around 400 HP with this set up. Granted, I am seeing my peak HP numbers quite high in the RPM range, but hey, thats how I run that car.

 

your right J Gibbs
Ya I know I should rebuild it but havent had the time,was going to swap it out and put in a 360 I have in and build the 390 just not enough time and money as of late

 

Gotta go w/a Ford in a Ford. 351W with an AOD and the stock rear in my 54. Gonna swap it out for a .030 Ford 302 w/a stroker kit and a healthy cam. I would never think of putting anything but a Ford in mine, but I'm a "true-blue only Ford will do" guy, but some people like other things...to each their own.

 

I think if your going to go with a non-ford engine the olds, buicks, cadillacs, and pontiacs were all bitchin choices in the sixties, even the 283 and 327,s are great,
a lot of nostalgia, anything but a 350/350.

but what do i know?

 

I had a T-Bird SC back in '89 (seems like a LONG time ago) and that was an awesome combo with a 5 speed trans. Would chirp the tires in all 5 gears. Still my favorite ''new'' car of all time. What a great choice for an effie

 

Let's see, the '56 has a 350/350, but I am lookin' for a decent 700R4.

The '54 didn't have a motor, but I've got the 223 from the '56.
The '55 didn't have one either, but I have a 272/Fordomatic (odd combo, but complete with tail shaft mounted e-brake) from a '55 F-250 to keep it "anchored" to the garage.
I've got that other 72 truck motor that I need to do something with. Guess I need to find me a '53.