360 or 390 survey

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Apr 2, 2001 | 04:16 PM

npartyka

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360 or 390 survey

Trying to find out if I have a 360 or 390 and saw a picture in a parts catalog showing the 360 oil filter mounted horizontally and the 390 oil filter mounted vertically. Of you who definitely know what your motor is how is the filter mounted. Mine is a '68 and has is mounted horizontally. The vin says 360 but previous owner says 390??

Apr 2, 2001 | 04:29 PM

proeliator

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From: Oregon

360 or 390 survey

Your best bet is to check your stroke. A 360 has a 3.5 stroke, where the 390 has a 3.78 stroke. Pull a plug, use a length of dowell or some such for your measurement, and handcrank the engine. Most of these FE engines can look like something their not, so going by accesories isn't a great idea. You can also use the block casting by the starter, but this doesn't always clear things up either. My 390 has a block number that can't be found in Steve Christ's book which had me scratching my head for some time. Let us know if you have any problems.

If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.

'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE390 @ 400hp(purt near!), 4-speed, custom suspension w 4" lift, mud on black.

Apr 2, 2001 | 04:35 PM

jowilker

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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

360 or 390 survey

The only way for sure to tell is measure the stroke, because the two have the same bore. You and use a small dowell (1/8in)in one of the cylinders and mark it at the absolute top and bottom of the stroke and post the measurement. Once you have done that we will tell you what you have. The difference in the oil filters is one is for an auto and the other for a truck.

Let us know your measurement.

John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group

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Apr 2, 2001 | 08:33 PM

rfgre

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360 or 390 survey

I may be wrong and if I am please let me know. I have several 360's and they all have the spark plugs on each side going in a different direction. On one side the two front go one way and the two rear point in the other direction. What say?? Let me know.

Apr 2, 2001 | 11:33 PM

Like M. Fords

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From: LAT 46.55501° & LON -122

360 or 390 survey

That is typical of most, if not all, FE series engines.

Apr 15, 2001 | 06:29 AM

classyfish

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From: Northwest Iowa

360 or 390 survey

Apr 22, 2001 | 01:19 PM

oddballfords

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360 or 390 survey

A little Q&A will help you. Is this the original motor or appear to be reubilt you can also check with the previous owner.
Does it have a 2bbl or a 4bbl carb. If the motor is rebuilt my $ would be on 390. Very seldom did the owners but a 360 back in its orignal place if they knew how a 390 runs in comparison. The previous owner could of put a 4bbl on the 360 to try to help it out (seldom does good). All of that aside look at your engine code on the VIN# (F25YLV2000 - "Y" is the engine code)
Y = 360 2bbl
H = 390 2bbl (68-72)
M = 390 4bbl

My bet is you have a "Y" code engine the 360 with a 2bbl carb.
but like the guys said above measure your stroke.