Rebuilding an FE

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Aug 21, 2002 | 05:04 PM

Brad Deicke

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Rebuilding an FE

I just bought a junk 1971 F-350 with a 360 in it for a $100. The rest of the truck is junk and im keeping the 360 and N.P. 435 tranny for my self. I was thinking about rebuilding the 360 for a learning expierence, since i never done it before. Is an FE a good engine to do that, or should i do an M-block or something else. I cannot get enough of these trucks. I am only 15 and I work with my dad in the summer and he just pays me in old Ford trucks. Thanks for any advice.

1970 F-250 360 4sp.
1979 F-250 4x4 4in.lift 400M 4sp.(under restoration)

Aug 21, 2002 | 07:40 PM

DrFord

More Turbo

Joined: Jun 2001

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Rebuilding an FE

an FE is alright to learn on. it is an older engine so ther will be a few differences. but nothing too severe. the only draw back is that an FE is expensive to rebuild.

Aug 21, 2002 | 09:16 PM

FE427TP

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From: yes

Rebuilding an FE

B.S. a basic rebuild is virtually the same price as any other engine, maybe 10% more

Aug 21, 2002 | 09:25 PM

Brad Deicke

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Rebuilding an FE

Is it more confusing that other engines, or is it about the same deal? I measured the stroke, I'm not sure if i did it right, heres what i did: brought the #1 piston to TDC got a straight wire, rested it on the piston and marked a line on the lip of the valve cover. After that was marked i brought the #8 piston down to BDC and marked another line on the wire, then measure the distance of the two marks, i came up with 3.5 in., which would make the engine a 360, right? 3.5 equals a 352 crank. Please correct me if im wrong. The engine already has a bent pushrod. Thanks.

-Brad

1970 F-250 2wd 4sp. 360FE
1979 F-250 4x4 4sp. 400M

Aug 22, 2002 | 12:28 AM

speedking390

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Joined: May 2002

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From: Rimbey Canada

Rebuilding an FE

Yes that would make it a 360 and you did measure it right, it is nice to see that I am not the only 15 year old that likes old fords
go Brad!!

Steve
Ashes to AShes
Dust to Dust
Without ch*vs
our tools would rust

Aug 22, 2002 | 10:52 AM

Brad Deicke

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 68

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Rebuilding an FE

Thats funny, i say the same poem to my step dad, he's a chevy man.
-Brad

1970 F-250 2wd 4sp. 360FE
1979 F-250 4x4 4sp. 400M

Aug 22, 2002 | 02:54 PM

Ratsmoker

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Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 6,624

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From: Missouri

Rebuilding an FE

The FE is a great motor to learn on if your engine stand is strong enough. I agree with FE427TP. A stock rebuild won't cost much more than any other ford engine. If it does it will be minimal. Its when you start to buy aftermarket high performance parts that it gets expensive. It really isn't much different in design than any other v8 pushrod engine that ford has made. Buy "How to rebuild a big block ford" by Steve Christ. It is a great book. Read through it first before you start. It should take you a couple hours to read it all the way through. Of course any of your questions can be answered here also. If you are looking for a little more torque for the big truck then I would suggest getting a 390 crank and rods from the junkyard and having them redone instead of messing with the 360 stuff. The ONLY difference between these engines is the crank, rods, and pistons.