360?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Eugene, Oregon
360?
I am just wondering why everone seems to dislike the 360 motor? I have the 360 in my project truck and it runs like a champ. Is there some sort of chronic problem with them or something or is it that they just are'nt as high performance?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 629
Likes: 2
From: DFW Metromess, TX.
Just a smaller 390 isn't it? No prob to me, but when looking for a pu in 1978 I made sure I bought a 390. They were going for the same money used off the lots around here, so why not get all the gusto for the buck? Other than that, I didn't care then, or now.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 629
Likes: 2
From: DFW Metromess, TX.
Originally Posted by ford390gashog
The 360 is just a smaller bore and stroke , nothing wrong with them but they won't win races. FYI Jonas, a FE engine could not be purchased in 1978 they were last installed in 1976.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
Originally Posted by ford390gashog
The 360 is just a smaller bore and stroke , nothing wrong with them but they won't win races. FYI Jonas...
The bore is the same on both the 360 and 390.
That post was a complete bust, GasHog. :)
Alvin in AZ
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: in the woods of Maine!
lol, this is great. there is nothing wrong w/ a 360. they are just as strong as a 390, they just don't make quite as much power. I have one in my Bronco temporarily, but it has actually surprised me....it runs REAL nice, and only on 7 cylinders too! I thought it was gonna blow up after the first week, cuz I got it for free from someone's back yard. In the winter, uncovered, upside down. 3 of the cylinders were FILLED w/ ice, but the torch to the side of the block, and up the exhaust ports def. fixed that problem, and I'm only down one cylinder from it! I'm all for the 360 becuase of that! Tough as nails!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by LedheadELH
lol, this is great. there is nothing wrong w/ a 360. they are just as strong as a 390, they just don't make quite as much power. I have one in my Bronco temporarily, but it has actually surprised me....it runs REAL nice, and only on 7 cylinders too! I thought it was gonna blow up after the first week, cuz I got it for free from someone's back yard. In the winter, uncovered, upside down. 3 of the cylinders were FILLED w/ ice, but the torch to the side of the block, and up the exhaust ports def. fixed that problem, and I'm only down one cylinder from it! I'm all for the 360 becuase of that! Tough as nails!
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
They rev up quicker, but the downfall to that is you max out too quickly. I agree, 30ci shy of a 390. 360 is a decent motor, but the extra 30ci is a must in all my trucks. 
Chit...I've got a stock 400 in my '69 that'll tear any 360 apart.
Mike
Chit...I've got a stock 400 in my '69 that'll tear any 360 apart.
Mike
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
Sheesh, tough crowd!
That extra 30 cubes comes from a little over 1/4" more stroke, and nets a higher compression ratio as well.
You can work both, but after driving both, and paying for the fuel, the 390 definitely gets more bang for the buck.
That extra 30 cubes comes from a little over 1/4" more stroke, and nets a higher compression ratio as well.
You can work both, but after driving both, and paying for the fuel, the 390 definitely gets more bang for the buck.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: in the woods of Maine!
hey don't get worked up, if you noticed i SAID the 390 makes more power. I meant strong as in reliable....as in hard to blow up, as in will run w/o oil, and not completely kill it. as in calm down, and don't jump to calling everyone a moron, just cuz you don't understand what's going on. so try not to be soo cocky....might take you somewhere
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 0
This friend of mine Dad had a factory 360 4bbl with an automatic transmission on a 1976 Ford F150 2wd LWB. The truck ran like a champ and had plenty of power. The truck was sold about 20 year ago.
My brother-in-law rebuilt a 360 on a different 1976 F150 2wd LWB with an automatic transmission and he installed an RV cam and dual exhaust but kept the original 2 bbl carb. This truck had gusto and ran like a champ.
I had a 360 cid FE on My 1976 F150 4x4 SWB and rebuilt the engine to a 390 FE with other upgrades https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...136765&width=0.
If you planning on rebuilding the engine, this might be an option "360-390- 410"
Duraspark ignition on these engines make the engine run better too.
My brother-in-law rebuilt a 360 on a different 1976 F150 2wd LWB with an automatic transmission and he installed an RV cam and dual exhaust but kept the original 2 bbl carb. This truck had gusto and ran like a champ.
I had a 360 cid FE on My 1976 F150 4x4 SWB and rebuilt the engine to a 390 FE with other upgrades https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...136765&width=0.
If you planning on rebuilding the engine, this might be an option "360-390- 410"
Duraspark ignition on these engines make the engine run better too.
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern Virginia
Other Differences
The 360 is not as stout as the 390 because it uses the 352 rods which are thinner and weaker than the ones used in the 390. I've converted several 360's into 390's over the years by changing out the cranks, rods & pistons. Each of the 360's showed uneven wear on the rod bearings due to bent rods.
4x4Hokie, Welcome to FTE.