I bought an engine under the impression it was
a 390. When I got it apart I found a mirror
image 105 on the block behind the #8 cylinder.
I thought this was only on heavy duty FT blocks.
Do I have an FT? If I do, how do I tell what size it is?
What are the differences between FE and FT blocks? Balance?
Can I put it to my 3 speed standard transmission?

 

Either way it will bolt to your tranny. More than likely it is an FE. Most mirror image 105 blocks are FE blocks if not all of them. You can measure the crank snout. An FE snout will be 1.375" and the FT will be 1.875". The FT will usually have a metal tag well fastened to the side of the engine stating that it is an industrial engine. Also the exhaust manifolds slightly differ from the regular FE logs. They are actually said to flow a little better. The distributor shaft is also bigger on the FT. If you pull the dizzy you will find a big bushing on most FE 105 blocks to make the FE dizzy fit. Hope this has helped you out. I think most 391FTs had 4bbl carbs and hardly any pickups came with 4bbl 390FEs.

 

Thanks for the reply.
The motor has a 4bbl and it came out of
a 2 ton. I can't measure the snout right
now because the pulleys and damper are
still on it. The intake numbers say it
was made in 1975. Are there any differences
in the oil pan? This one is deep all the
way across. My is deeper in one end. The guy
I bought it from said the carburetor had a
governor on it. Is there any way to remove it?

 

Not to step on Rat, but with the added info I think you have a FT. The only way to know is to check the snout.

Scotty

 

Does sound like an FT from what he is saying. One more question. Is there a big "T" on the top of the manifold? The pan is unusual for either engine I believe. May have been for a special application.

 

D4TE-I
This is the only number I could find on the
block. Does this tell me anything.
Is there any way to measure the snout without
removing the damper?

 

You can just remove the pulley off the dampner. I have the same casting number on my block. It was a factory 360 out of a 1974 pickup.

 

snout is about 1.75"
behind the damper i found more numbers
N6

C8TE-6059-A

 

I do believe you have an FT. Any seconds?

 

I second. 1.75" is the correct snout diameter for the FT (not 1.875").

I've seen a few of those massive extra capacity oil pans before, too, and they have all been on FTs.

 

Well, now that i know what i've got, should I
keep it. How is the performanace of the FT.
Are parts available for it? Do they cost about the same
as FE's for parts.
Can I use the FT flywheel with my FE transmission.
When I buy a clutch, do I match it to the motor or the
transmission?
I'm assuming it's a 391 since it has the four barrel. Is this right?

 

You haven't said what you are going to install the engine in. The Ft motor should have center exit, 10 bolt exhaust manifolds. These will dump right down on the motor mounts in a pickup. FE exhaust manifolds will not fit the FT heads because of the large exhaust crossover port on the FT. This will be the first of many hurdles. The flywheel will bolt on but I think the 391 had a counter balance like a 428. The 391 flywheel should be drilled for a 13 in. clutch which will require the flywheel housing off the truck. There isn't room in the FE housing for the 13 incher. Your 391 may have the cast iron front cover and front engine mount on it. The pulleys will be another problem. You can take off the heads and intake and bolt on FE parts and eliminate some of the problems BUT the 391 uses a 3/8 oil pump drive shaft and a FE uses a 5/16 so you will have to use the 391 distributer. This is a doable deal but you have to ask yourself if it is worth the headaches. The pan? The FT pan holds 8 quarts and looks like a loaf of bread when you turn it upside down. It won't clear the front crossmember in any pickup with twin I beams. It will work on a lifted 4x4 if it is lifted high enough. Just be sure you move your bump stops down so it clears when you jump off that ridge, dune, mud hole, etc. My advice is to find a good 390 FE and install it.

 

Do you have another engine?? one youcan rob parts from. The FT engines are mainly sought after becuase of the typically good blocks. The parts from a FE will bolt on no problem. It is just a matter of bolting them up. I have ever heard of problems with swapping between the two other than the distrubuter. But, I think an FE intake will get you around that problem and allow use of a FE distributer. Good luck with what ever you do.

Scotty