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1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Slick Sixties Ford Truck

352 Head Question

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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 08:57 AM
  #1  
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352 Head Question

Hey all,

I'm new to this forum, and new to this particular truck as well. I've owned falcons and other fords as well as some other year F-100's. However, I was told during an inspection that my motor has a 390 or later head on the passenger side and the original 352 head on the driver's side bank. Now I know that these two motors are practically the same, but the 390 has a lower compression ratio I'm told - 8.5-9:1 as opposed to the 352's 9.5-10:1. The motor runs really smooth and hasn't given me any problems, but is this going to cause major damage in the long run? Should I get some 352 heads to replace it with, or should I go with some 390's????

thanks!

Boggins66
 
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 11:32 AM
  #2  
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Boggins, Steve Christ lists no less than 41 heads in the Standard Heads section of his How To Rebuild Your Big Block Ford book. While what you were told could apply, it doesn't mean that it does. Look at the head where the two middle spark plugs are and post the numbers that you find there. You should find a number like C6AE AA.

I doubt that you have anything to be concerned about.

John
 
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 05:07 PM
  #3  
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Boggins: WELCOME to FTE! It is one of the best and greatest truck stops on the information highway!

Like John says, I really doubt it is a 390 sepcific head.
Perhaps a bit of Ford numbers info might help.
Casting numbers are a great way to ID a Ford part. They do not give a date of manufacture, but a year of design. they also can include some othr specific helpful details.

The numbers John describes can be found between the spak plugs, cast into the head.
C = 1960s.
D = 1970s and so forth.

C6 = 1966, and a D7 would mean 1977.

A = The application group, in this case the large Ford cars. The FE engine was used in trucks, but was originally car application. It was dropped from cars in 1970, but was used in trucks until 1976.
T = Truck. You will not see a truck head until well after '66, not sure when, but you will see other "T" parts on your '66.

E = The part group, in this case, Engine.

Anything after the dash, such a AE, CE, or the like will be revision modifications of the design.

In summary, it most likely is not a worry on your part.

Hope this helps. Post the casting numbers, and we can help you a bit more!

Again, WELCOME to FTE!
 
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 05:07 PM
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By the way, FTE has an FE engine forum dedicated to just this kind of detail. Try posting your question over there!
 
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 05:11 PM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by Boggins66
Hey all,

I'm new to this forum, and new to this particular truck as well. I've owned falcons and other fords as well as some other year F-100's. However, I was told during an inspection that my motor has a 390 or later head on the passenger side and the original 352 head on the driver's side bank. Now I know that these two motors are practically the same, but the 390 has a lower compression ratio I'm told - 8.5-9:1 as opposed to the 352's 9.5-10:1. The motor runs really smooth and hasn't given me any problems, but is this going to cause major damage in the long run? Should I get some 352 heads to replace it with, or should I go with some 390's????thanks!Boggins66
Welcome to FTE

F100/350 ~ 1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog sez:

Same cylinder head 1965/72 352/360/390 without smog pump: C8AZ-6049-M

Same cylinder head 1966/68 352/360/390 with smog pump: C8AZ-6049-A
=======================================
1965/71 Cars ~ 1965/72 Ford Passenger Car Parts Catalog sez:

Same cylinder head 1965/71 352/390 without smog pump: C8AZ-6049-M

Same cylinder head 1965/68 352/390 with smog pump: C8AZ-6049-A

>> Only the 390 4V Mustang & Fairlane GT & all HiPo heads are different. <<

1966/71 all 390 HiPo's with smog pump: C8OZ-6049-K

1965/68 Mustang/Fairlane GT 390 without smog pump: C8OZ-6049-B

1966/68 Mustang/Fairlane GT 390 with smog pump: C8OZ-6049-A

1969 Mustang/Fairlane/Torino GT with IMCO: C8OZ-6049-J

Smog pumps introduced 1/1/1966. No smog pumps used after 1968.

 

Last edited by NumberDummy; Jul 12, 2007 at 05:40 PM.
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 05:54 PM
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Bill, I would be interested in the casting number that your parts book has for the 360 engine. Was there a smog pump for Cali. only in 66, there sure as hello wasn't one in NC then.

John
 
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 06:16 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by jowilker
Bill, I would be interested in the casting number that your parts book has for the 360 engine. Was there a smog pump for Cali. only in 66, there sure as hello wasn't one in NC then.

John
We got smog pumps on everything in 1966. Welcome to California.

360 head casting numbers...gotta go look for my Ford Master Cross Reference Catalog. Will post later.
 
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