Help -- What engine to use??
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Raeford, NC
Help -- What engine to use??
I have an 83 F-100 SB2WD. Swapping out 3.8V6 for either 302, 390, 400. I have all three available at this time for around 700.00. My choice, just need to know which is best for my fit, not race truck. Just semi-daily driver that needs more umph. Also, what would be a good gear for rear end? No overdrive tranny 
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Joined: Apr 2005
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What years are the engines? Does the 302 have a carb or fuel injection?
I would choose the 390 for my own but they have some draw backs. The 302 in my opinion would be the best choice simply because of all the aftermarket parts available.
The 302 has plenty a room for big horsepower increases and it can get halfway decent mileage. If you don't want to spend alot of money in the engine the 302 in stock form still has some pretty good umph.
Now to the 390, I had one in an LTD and loved the power. The problem that I was told about them is that the connecting rods are thin and weak. If you want big horsepower gains from it you will need to upgrade the rods. Supposedly they can't take alot more power than what they did in original form. This is only what I've heard about them, I'm sure someone knows more about them than I do.
Hope this helps.
I would choose the 390 for my own but they have some draw backs. The 302 in my opinion would be the best choice simply because of all the aftermarket parts available.
The 302 has plenty a room for big horsepower increases and it can get halfway decent mileage. If you don't want to spend alot of money in the engine the 302 in stock form still has some pretty good umph.
Now to the 390, I had one in an LTD and loved the power. The problem that I was told about them is that the connecting rods are thin and weak. If you want big horsepower gains from it you will need to upgrade the rods. Supposedly they can't take alot more power than what they did in original form. This is only what I've heard about them, I'm sure someone knows more about them than I do.
Hope this helps.
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Junior User
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From: Raeford, NC
Thanks Beaners
Thanks for info. The 302 is from an 84 truck and the 390 is from a 79 truck. Have another guy who states he has a 400 and c6 tranny from f250 that I can have for 800 total.
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the 390 is an older big block bellhousing the 400 came in both a small and a big block if i remember right the big block 400 uses the same bellhousing as a 351 m not sure about the small block 400 though maybe same as a 390 or a 351 w not sure tho
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o ya and back to my point i like the 302 it is a good running engine for the dollar if you can find a good used 1. i also am a fan of 400's but the fall back there is 40o parts are rare and getting harder to come by but they have quite a bit of power.. also you have tranny issues if you have an auto tranny you would have to replace the whole tranny because the bellhousings are not interchangable where as the manuals you can just change the bellhousing so i would say if you have a manual go with the 302 ease of parts and its a good lil engine if not go with the 400/ c6
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From: In the Middle
Originally Posted by brianvabeach
and the 390 is from a 79 truck.
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