390 or 428 ?
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 65
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From: Plymouth USA
390 or 428 ?
I am looking at the chance of getting a '77 F250 2WD with a 428 in it. I currently have a '74 Highboy with a 390. The new truck is possibly going to be used as a parts truck for the restoration of my '74 (if anything is interchangeable). My question for you engine guys is: Which motor would you go with? Both have C6's on them.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 962
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From: Collierville, TN
390 or 428 ?
To me, it's a no-brainer. The 428 has greater displacement and longer stroke, making it substantially more powerful than the 390. The only reason not to use it is if your 390 is in great shape (such as a very recent rebuild) and you can sell the 428 and use the money to buy other stuff for your truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
390 or 428 ?
And make sure it really is a 428. I mean, who would waste that engine in a truck? Jokes aside, its amazing how when it comes time for guys to sell their truck, their 352 magically becomes a 428. Their are plenty of threads in this very forum on that topic if you aren't sure, just do a search. But if it is, ****** it up.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 65
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From: Plymouth USA
390 or 428 ?
I didn't mean for that to seem like such a dumb question. I am relatively new to this "old" Ford stuff, as I have been into the newer little Rangers for quite a while now. You guys have made it quite obvious that the 428 is the way to go. Now, I have another dumb question. Is there an easy way to tell a 428 from a 352?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 962
Likes: 2
From: Collierville, TN
390 or 428 ?
No. All of the FE's (352, 360, 390, 410, 428, etc.) look pretty much alike from the outside. Only the 360 and 390 would have been offered by Ford in that truck, and the 360 is by far the more common of the two. If it is a 428, it is a 66-70 car engine that was swapped in.
The only way to really know is to measure the stroke. It will be either 3.50", 3.78" or 3.98". If it is 3.98", you probably have a 428. If it is 3.50", it is probably a 360 (though it may be a 352). If it is 3.78", you probably have a 390.
The only way to really know is to measure the stroke. It will be either 3.50", 3.78" or 3.98". If it is 3.98", you probably have a 428. If it is 3.50", it is probably a 360 (though it may be a 352). If it is 3.78", you probably have a 390.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
390 or 428 ?
DHH, you can drop it off on I-85 exit 175 if that is closer. 
Now to measure the stroke, I like a 8-10" long white jacket wire from a 14-2 house wire. Remove a front spark plug, place the wire in the hole, have a bud turn the engine with a socket on a pully nut, while you hold your finger on top of the wire and a Sharpie against the wire and resting on the exhaust manifold to keep it steady. Turn the engine a couple revs and compare to Karls numbers. Let us know what you get. Don't be surprised if it is 3.5" long.
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John
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Now to measure the stroke, I like a 8-10" long white jacket wire from a 14-2 house wire. Remove a front spark plug, place the wire in the hole, have a bud turn the engine with a socket on a pully nut, while you hold your finger on top of the wire and a Sharpie against the wire and resting on the exhaust manifold to keep it steady. Turn the engine a couple revs and compare to Karls numbers. Let us know what you get. Don't be surprised if it is 3.5" long.
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John
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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
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From: Plymouth USA
390 or 428 ?
Unfortunately, both trucks are out in California, so it looks like exit 175 on I-85 is a little too far away
. As soon as I get the truck I will measure the stroke and let you guys know what I have. I'm sure I'll have many more questions if/when I attempt the engine swap. As always, thanks for all the help. I am learning more every day as I read more posts here.
. As soon as I get the truck I will measure the stroke and let you guys know what I have. I'm sure I'll have many more questions if/when I attempt the engine swap. As always, thanks for all the help. I am learning more every day as I read more posts here.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
390 or 428 ?
Sigh, missed again, Good luck with the measure.
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John
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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
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John
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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
John, you are always scheming arent you. Guys, the wire trick works, john showed me on a 360 I had, that he has now. 
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
390 or 428 ?
Yep Kurt, and your's was like most of the other Ford trucks sold with a 390, the ol wire in the hole trick proved different.
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John
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[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO] North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group
In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
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John
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[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO] North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group
In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 1999
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390 or 428 ?
I HAVE A 68 428PI JUST BEEN COMPLETLY REDONE. HAS ORIGINAL BORE CRANK TURNED 10UNDER. HAS NEW CAM,LIFTERS, PISTONS,ALL BEARINGS,OILPUMP,FREEZE PLUGS, TIMING CHAIN AND GEARS ECT. HAVE EVERYTHING BUT THE HEADS. WILL SALE IF PRICE IS RIGHT. NEEDS PUT TOGETHER YET.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
390 or 428 ?
Richard, You claim to have it, so what is the right price, for this pile of parts? What part of the country are you in? Them ol heavy FE parts can run a shipping bill up pretty hard.
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John
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[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO] North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group
In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
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John
jowilker email me
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[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO] North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group
In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
