View Poll Results: FE vs Modified
FE 390
54
67.50%
M 400
26
32.50%
Voters: 80. You may not vote on this poll
FE vs Modified
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 748
Likes: 0
From: North US Border, Canada
Originally Posted by rusty70f100
Easy here, it's all how you build 'em.
Also, here's some info on FE's. Be sure to read the whole thing.
http://www.doveengineparts.com/documents/30.html
His home page is:
http://www.doveengineparts.com/
Also, here's some info on FE's. Be sure to read the whole thing.
http://www.doveengineparts.com/documents/30.html
His home page is:
http://www.doveengineparts.com/
Madmike33
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 748
Likes: 0
From: North US Border, Canada
Originally Posted by MBBFord
Just curious, what do the FE engines in our trucks have as for as power? No 400hp like the 62 year model.
And for the record I have studied the 351M and 400 as this was originally the first engine I was going to build.
If you're going to build a 400 go for it, knock yourself out. I never once said it was a bad engine. I just beleive The FE is a better way to go.
I love pretty much anything stamped ford, I just have my preferences like anyone else.
Madmike33
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 2
as i reread the thread and see that the 390 is smoing as an original cause of the discussion and there was a concern about the block being junk i think i'll throw in my 2 cents now... if it's just a work truck and you're trying to do it on the cheap so to speak, i've done lots of FE's were all we did was hone the cylinders and slap in some fresh rings and bearings as well as a cam if you so desire, etc. etc. etc.... the block isn't garbage just cause it's .060- i've seen FE's that smoked like a campfire and be 8 thousandths ovrsize and needing a bore job in the worst way, clean up with a hone job and fresh rings and then run for another 100,000 miles... you'd probably be money ahead to freshen the 390 by the time you get all the pieces to convert to the 335 series motor... JMO
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by Madmike33
You're right the blocks in our 70's trucks do not have the same power rating. But the casting is stronger than most of the FE blocks from the 60's. IE: The mirror 105 block had a high nickel content, and thicker cylinder walls making it even more bullet proof than most.
And for the record I have studied the 351M and 400 as this was originally the first engine I was going to build.
If you're going to build a 400 go for it, knock yourself out. I never once said it was a bad engine. I just beleive The FE is a better way to go.
I love pretty much anything stamped ford, I just have my preferences like anyone else.
Madmike33
And for the record I have studied the 351M and 400 as this was originally the first engine I was going to build.
If you're going to build a 400 go for it, knock yourself out. I never once said it was a bad engine. I just beleive The FE is a better way to go.
I love pretty much anything stamped ford, I just have my preferences like anyone else.
Madmike33
Now, for a 400 c.i. V8, what the 400 pushes out stock, isn't worth a damnd thing, but for this situation I thought the 400 would be the better choice, and still kind of do, if it wouldn't be that he would have to change motor mounts, bellhousing, ect...
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 0
If both engines were left original, 1978 thru 1981 400 cid and the 390 FE, they would both hold out pretty good and both are very good engines. If you plan on rebuilding each engine, than to each their own, jmo.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 748
Likes: 0
From: North US Border, Canada
Originally Posted by MBBFord
Didn't try to sound pissed, but everything I said, you shot down, and said (from what I got out of your post) 400s aren't strong, can't hold up, and they suck.
Now, for a 400 c.i. V8, what the 400 pushes out stock, isn't worth a damnd thing, but for this situation I thought the 400 would be the better choice, and still kind of do, if it wouldn't be that he would have to change motor mounts, bellhousing, ect...
Now, for a 400 c.i. V8, what the 400 pushes out stock, isn't worth a damnd thing, but for this situation I thought the 400 would be the better choice, and still kind of do, if it wouldn't be that he would have to change motor mounts, bellhousing, ect...
Madmike33
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Madmike33, I agree with that statement, but one of the biggest things would be to convert it back to hold the 400, and then it might just be easyer to rebuild the 390, depends on how much he wants to spend, and how long he wants his truck off the road.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 748
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From: North US Border, Canada
Originally Posted by MBBFord
Madmike33, I agree with that statement, but one of the biggest things would be to convert it back to hold the 400, and then it might just be easyer to rebuild the 390, depends on how much he wants to spend, and how long he wants his truck off the road.
Nice Bronco by the way.
Madmike33
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 748
Likes: 0
From: North US Border, Canada
Originally Posted by 78fordranger
I am sorry if I caused problems and heated talk. I was just trying to make my mind up with others opinion. Sorry if any hard feeling came out of this.
Madmike33
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 422
Likes: 2
From: S.C. North Dakota
390 vs 400 . Each has its own distinct exhaust sound for sure , the 400 rebuilt correctly can handle itself as can the 390 . The 400 maybe has limits with its head design ( bumps ) in the ports but was designed like the cleveland . I could live with either but my past experience's has been with FE's
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
I think I am going to put the 400 in for now and keep pieaces from the 390 so if I decide I like it I will have the option to put one back in later. And thanks to everyone for alot of input on the case.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
Originally Posted by 78fordranger
I think I am going to put the 400 in for now and keep pieaces from the 390 so if I decide I like it I will have the option to put one back in later. And thanks to everyone for alot of input on the case.
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