390 Engine...Nicknames? Compatability?
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, Colorado
390 Engine...Nicknames? Compatability?
I was hunting through the "Jeg's" Catalog and a couple of others looking for some Cast Valve covers that will keep a better seal than my originals....the only thing is, I cannot find any direct references to my engine....(360/390)...I do see the following listed...do any apply to me:
SB-Ford
BB-Ford
Ford 289-351W
Ford "Windsor"
Ford 429-460
Are any of the above the same size and bolt pattern as my 390?
SB-Ford
BB-Ford
Ford 289-351W
Ford "Windsor"
Ford 429-460
Are any of the above the same size and bolt pattern as my 390?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 9
From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
Go with the listing for BB-Ford. Ford only made 2 series of engines that are classed as big block V8"s. First was the FE series which includes your 390.Second was the 385 series which is 429, 460 .Hope this helps.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by Unimog005
I was hunting through the "Jeg's" Catalog and a couple of others looking for some Cast Valve covers that will keep a better seal than my originals....the only thing is, I cannot find any direct references to my engine....(360/390)...I do see the following listed...do any apply to me:
SB-Ford
BB-Ford
Ford 289-351W
Ford "Windsor"
Ford 429-460
Are any of the above the same size and bolt pattern as my 390?
SB-Ford
BB-Ford
Ford 289-351W
Ford "Windsor"
Ford 429-460
Are any of the above the same size and bolt pattern as my 390?
FORD FE: 332/352/ (361 = Edsel only) 390/406/ (410 = Mercury only) 427/428
For a wide range of valve covers, see: dearbornclassics.com Catalog pages 158/159
Last edited by NumberDummy; Apr 4, 2007 at 09:11 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 9
From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
No, only the FE engines use the same 7 bolt valve cover pattern from 1958 thru 1976.
Clay
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
99.999999999% chance anything in the Jegs catalog for a "BB Ford" (if there is such a thing...) is for a 429/460 engine. These parts will absolutely NOT interchange with an FE, valve covers included.
Honestly I think these aftermarket parts purveyors want the FE to go away and die on obscurity so they can neatly classify everything as either BB or SB and the manufacturer.
Honestly I think these aftermarket parts purveyors want the FE to go away and die on obscurity so they can neatly classify everything as either BB or SB and the manufacturer.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 9
From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
Originally Posted by rusty70f100
Honestly I think these aftermarket parts purveyors want the FE to go away and die on obscurity so they can neatly classify everything as either BB or SB and the manufacturer.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, Colorado
Originally Posted by Redcat Diesel
I'm inclined to agree with you on this one.However if there is enough demand for the stuff the aftermarket will keep supplying it.They may want The FE to fade into the history books but I suspect the shareholders don't want their dividend checks to do the same.
Trending Topics
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by Redcat Diesel
Bill, with all due respect, FE's used a 5 bolt cover.The 429 and 460 engines used 7 bolts.
Clay
Clay
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 9
From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
Originally Posted by Unimog005
This seems pretty odd......as almost every old ford I find....and everyone's comments lead to these 360/390 FE engines...as though they are sort of a "Holy Grail" for ford Truck owners.....seems a shame no one much is supporting parts for a favorite engine...
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
IMO, Ford Motorsports or Ford Racing , are the best products to get.
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=6151
CHROME STAMPED STEEL VALVE COVER
M-6582-A390R**
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=1207
POLISHED ALUMINUM VALVE COVER
M-6582-A427**
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=1141
BLACK SATIN VALVE COVER
M-6582-B**
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=6151
CHROME STAMPED STEEL VALVE COVER
M-6582-A390R**
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=1207
POLISHED ALUMINUM VALVE COVER
M-6582-A427**
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=1141
BLACK SATIN VALVE COVER
M-6582-B**
Last edited by Mil1ion; Apr 4, 2007 at 02:56 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Madison, SD
Lots of good sources for FE parts. Mil1ion listed all the good covers. Heck, Edelbrock now has decent camshaft selection for them, and even offers a pair of aluminum heads. If you want to see some really gorgeous FE parts, check out the Genesis block, Blue Thunder and Dove Engineering heads and intakes, MSD makes all the trick ignition goodies for it. Many sources for parts for the FE's. I have a stack of OEM goodies rat holed for a special project some day.....just at this point I don't have a clue what the project will be!!!!!! Some form of chebbie killer, for sure!!!!
!["Beemer Nut"'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23bc5285' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>"</text></svg>)
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Wow for only $170 or $180 each plus you need two then add tax and shipping.
Question; who buys this overpriced crap, more money than brains?
I paid $15 for Cal-Custom FE covers and $10 for Mickey Thompson covers that never had the breathers punched out.
Parts at my local speed shop only speak chebbie no Ford, same with parts for
the Rover, I get a "F-U" until I tell 'em it's a POS GM motor.
Question; who buys this overpriced crap, more money than brains?
I paid $15 for Cal-Custom FE covers and $10 for Mickey Thompson covers that never had the breathers punched out.
Parts at my local speed shop only speak chebbie no Ford, same with parts for
the Rover, I get a "F-U" until I tell 'em it's a POS GM motor.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
I once picked up a set of sludge and corroded filled Cal-Customs that looke like they came out of a swamp for $2 at a garage sale.
Gunk tanked then bead blasted looked like new, still on a friends 66 truck.
The inlaws had Alameda Auto Wreckers, I picked up complete 427 and 428 motors for $100 each years ago. Wish I kept a few extras, 20/20 hindsight.
Gunk tanked then bead blasted looked like new, still on a friends 66 truck.
The inlaws had Alameda Auto Wreckers, I picked up complete 427 and 428 motors for $100 each years ago. Wish I kept a few extras, 20/20 hindsight.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Madison, SD
Originally Posted by Beemer Nut
I once picked up a set of sludge and corroded filled Cal-Customs that looke like they came out of a swamp for $2 at a garage sale.
Gunk tanked then bead blasted looked like new, still on a friends 66 truck.
The inlaws had Alameda Auto Wreckers, I picked up complete 427 and 428 motors for $100 each years ago. Wish I kept a few extras, 20/20 hindsight.
Gunk tanked then bead blasted looked like new, still on a friends 66 truck.
The inlaws had Alameda Auto Wreckers, I picked up complete 427 and 428 motors for $100 each years ago. Wish I kept a few extras, 20/20 hindsight.