390 save or swap?
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: USA
390 save or swap?
I'm a newbie to this sight and to the world of Ford trucks, so pardon my ignorance. I have a 74' F-250 camper special 390-4BBL carb with what I believe is a C6 transmission. The engine has 90,000 miles on it now, and I'm going to run it until it bites the dust. I just picked up a freshly rebuilt 302 out of a 83'-86'? Grand Marquis that I plan to put in the truck after the 390 dies. How easily will this 302 mate up with the transmission. I think they put 302s in trucks with the same transmission, but is there a huge difference between car/truck blocks? Is this even a realistic swap?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,447
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From: Littleton, CO
390 save or swap?
Steve-Welcome to the site. Some of the items to consider in your swap will also include the electronics that may need to be installed to go with the new motor as well. I have a little older truck which also has the FE engine. I believe the bell housing on the trans will not swap out. Seems to me they are specific to this family of motors. There will of course be plenty of space in the engine bay and a swap of motor mounts should be as easy as locating the same engine family in a donor truck and grabbing the brackets. In my opinion, stick with the 390 and when it dies (if that ever happens) punch out the holes and add a 428 crank and flexplate... After all, there is no replacement for displacement!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Sun River St. George
390 save or swap?
Steve! Welcome to FTE! Change your oil and provide regular service for your truck and that old 390 will be going strong 100,000 miles from now with no problems. These engines are incredibly strong and reliable runners. There are some things you can do with simple tools and spare time that will help the old truck run better and last longer. If your interested hang out here for a while and you will quickly see what I am talking about. I would forget about the swap! Sell the small block and put the money in the 390. The FE 390 has a special bell/transmission housing that will not fit the small block. Are you sure your engine is a 390? It may be a 360, which is still good! Poke around in the archives for info on measuring the stroke of your engine using a piece of wire. 3.7/8 inch is 390 CI 3.5 inches is 360. Once more welcome!
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
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From: USA
390 save or swap?
Thanks for your help. The only reason I worry about the 390s longevity is because it had been sitting around for most of its life and for 10 years with no pickling before I got to it. I've run it a few times since I've had it and it seemed to run fine, but that doesn't say problems won't become noticeable once I really get it going. Corrosion may have built up on the rings or the valves may be sticky. It's hard to say, but I really hope this engine works out. The 302 has an electronic carb with a non-holley pattern, but if I need to use the 302 in the truck in the future, I will put a carb. intake mani. on it and a holley 4160 style carb.
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From: USA
390 save or swap?
In response to William, yes I believe the engine is a 390. I know the original owner, and he bought the truck new in 1975. The air cleaner housing still has the original tagging that identifies it as a 390 also.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Lincoln USA
390 save or swap?
I doubt you would be very happy with the 302 in your truck. That's a lot of weight for that size engine, and towing would be an exercise in frustration. The 390 is one of the toughest engines Ford ever made. They don't call 'em 'stump pullers' for nothing!
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Farmington MN U. S. A.
390 save or swap?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Dec-02 AT 02:02 AM (EST)]Swap 390 with A 302???
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WHATS WRONG WITH YOU? hehe J/K... Welcome abord the best site in the world! Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
390 save or swap?
Parts for a 390 are fairly cheap (Autozone dist=40, starter=20, carb = $120) and it is a strong motor. I do not think it is worth converting and the 302 will not save much if anything on gas mileage unless it is a efi motor.
If you were going to swap in a small block I would go with a efi 351w from a Bronco, even if I did have a free 302. At the min. most trucks that came with 390s weigh two tons, a lot of heft for a stock 302.
If you were going to swap in a small block I would go with a efi 351w from a Bronco, even if I did have a free 302. At the min. most trucks that came with 390s weigh two tons, a lot of heft for a stock 302.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Sun River St. George
390 save or swap?
Just change the antifreeze, oil and filter, add a quart of dexron atf and run the engine about tem minutes before you drain the oil. This is a flush with high detergent and will keep things clean. Don't use Ford atf. You are one lucky Dude! Yea it is a 390, the 4V manifold is the giveaway.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
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