engine opinions
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
engine opinions
I finally found it. Ran across a 70 camper special this weekend. The trunk
has been sitting for a couple of years. The people just wanted it out of
their
yard, and I was happy to oblige for $300. I live in Ga, so rust isn't a big
problem, and this one is better than usual. I haven't found any rust
through,
cab mounts and floor pans are all good, the bed still has paint on the
floor,
just surface rust. The interior is perfect. A lucky find.
The engine blew a head gasket, and is the reason it was parked. I pulled
the heads to see what kind of shape the bottom end was in. The #5,6 cyl
are rusted bad, and the intake and crank case have water in them. I figure
the motor is junk, and will part out what I can. Here's my dilemma. The
motor
in the truck is a 360, and I have a 360 out of a parts truck that is suppose
to run, I also have a 460/c6 out of another truck that I drove before
parting
out the truck, and it runs good, but needs rebuilt, or I have thought about
putting in a 390. What do you all think? 360,390,460?
jeff
has been sitting for a couple of years. The people just wanted it out of
their
yard, and I was happy to oblige for $300. I live in Ga, so rust isn't a big
problem, and this one is better than usual. I haven't found any rust
through,
cab mounts and floor pans are all good, the bed still has paint on the
floor,
just surface rust. The interior is perfect. A lucky find.
The engine blew a head gasket, and is the reason it was parked. I pulled
the heads to see what kind of shape the bottom end was in. The #5,6 cyl
are rusted bad, and the intake and crank case have water in them. I figure
the motor is junk, and will part out what I can. Here's my dilemma. The
motor
in the truck is a 360, and I have a 360 out of a parts truck that is suppose
to run, I also have a 460/c6 out of another truck that I drove before
parting
out the truck, and it runs good, but needs rebuilt, or I have thought about
putting in a 390. What do you all think? 360,390,460?
jeff
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
engine opinions
If you want a lot more power from the 360/390/410 Fe you will need to spend some money. If 1 of the 360 block's are salvageable you can stroke it to either the 390/410 sense they all use the same block. The 390 require's it's own crank,and piston's as well as the FE short rod's. The 410 use's the 428's crank, the short rod's and 410 cast piston's. But if you don't plan on spending much or want easier to find part's go with the 460.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska Farm
engine opinions
I think a lot of guys would like to have your problem. 360, 390, 460?? The best way to answer is what the truck will be used for. The 460 is the most modern of your choices, so it will have the easiest and cheapest upgrades to find. There is nothing wrong with a 360 either, there just isn't any places that sell parts for them readily. If I had both sitting in my shop, I know what I would do. There is no replacement for displacement.
Dave,
79 F-150 4x4, 390 w/C6, Edelbrock carb, 33X12.50 never will be finished.
Dave,
79 F-150 4x4, 390 w/C6, Edelbrock carb, 33X12.50 never will be finished.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
engine opinions
Jeff if you have a 360 that will run then use it. Build a 390 out of the bad 360 if you like, you just need a 390 crank and pistons, the bore is the same. If you want to use the 460 you will have to change the tranny and other things because it is from a different engine family.
John
jowilker
Club FTE since 01 01
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night,
you can hear chevys rusting away.
John
jowilker
Club FTE since 01 01
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night,
you can hear chevys rusting away.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
engine opinions
Eraser, I recently went through the same dilemma as you are facing. I went from a 360 with blown head gaskets to a 390...mainly for the sake of keeping my truck as original as possible without sacrificing performance (from the factory the 390 pumped out 40 more horses and about 50 ft/lbs). As a matter of fact, I had access to a 460 as well, but just didn’t want to get into the mods it might require to fit into my ’68.
I don’t know where the some of the other guys are looking, but I spent a lot of time researching the options and contemplating the ramifications and found that thousands of parts exist and are available for the FE motors. There are hundreds of cam, piston, ring, valve train, bearing, etc options for the FE motors and they aren’t that much more expensive when compared to other Ford parts. The only really “cheap” motors to work on are the long-time produced big and small block C#@vys.
Hope this helps.
Jim
I don’t know where the some of the other guys are looking, but I spent a lot of time researching the options and contemplating the ramifications and found that thousands of parts exist and are available for the FE motors. There are hundreds of cam, piston, ring, valve train, bearing, etc options for the FE motors and they aren’t that much more expensive when compared to other Ford parts. The only really “cheap” motors to work on are the long-time produced big and small block C#@vys.
Hope this helps.
Jim
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
engine opinions
well weigh out the options
you have a good 360. not hard to change to a 390 but still cost some money
you have to rebuild a 460..
i'd just go with the 360.
maybe but a mild cam and 4bbl on it and put it in.
no monkeying around with changing motormounts.. and crap like that. i cant remember if you said what tranny is in it.
but if its a standard you have tranny mount issues
360 is sort of a gas hog but the 460 isnt a gas station passer either
you have a good 360. not hard to change to a 390 but still cost some money
you have to rebuild a 460..
i'd just go with the 360.
maybe but a mild cam and 4bbl on it and put it in.
no monkeying around with changing motormounts.. and crap like that. i cant remember if you said what tranny is in it.
but if its a standard you have tranny mount issues
360 is sort of a gas hog but the 460 isnt a gas station passer either
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
engine opinions
Confirm that the 360 in the parts truck is good and run with that. The 360 is a good truck engine.
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Brett Foote
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
engine opinions
thanks for the input from everyone. I think that the 360/390 conversion is the route I'll take. Being that they are the
same blocks, can I simply buy a rebuild kit for a 390 to
put into the 360? Are the timing chain, cam, lifters, etc,
the same?
thanks
jeff
same blocks, can I simply buy a rebuild kit for a 390 to
put into the 360? Are the timing chain, cam, lifters, etc,
the same?
thanks
jeff
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 5
From: All over Texas
engine opinions
Yes, all you need are crank, rods and pistons. Your best bet is to find a complete 390 4bbl for a donor (+/-$200) and make one solid engine using the best components from each motor. In other words, you're most likely not going to find a crank and rods for any less than picking up a complete core motor. You should replace the pistons regardless. You can then peddle the left over parts on E-bay. I've seen stock FE truck heads go for $60, alternator brackets for $30, pulleys for $50, etc. People will buy anything and there is always a price they'll pay for it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
engine opinions
Good choice Jeff- now please tell me you know about the oiling problems on the FEs and how to fix them. It doesn't take long and is well worth the effort. I've done this to the engines in both my trucks and can explain it if you need. DF
