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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

Reread my post. It says purchased used off the lots around here. ;-)

 

And you got something else wrong too. :/
The bore is the same on both the 360 and 390.

That post was a complete bust, GasHog. :)

Alvin in AZ

 

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!

 

The 360 lacks 30 cid for being as strong as any 390 in the same configuration. FYI, strong is the same as horsepower and torque and you don't know what you are talking about.

 

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

 

Ain't no replacement for cubic inches!

 

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.

 

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

 

Keep in mind that a 360 tends to run around 8:1 compression. Isn't that just about right for a supercharger? That would add a bit of grunt with 8-10# boost, don't ya think?

 

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.

 

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.