Screamin 352
Senior User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Screamin 352
Everyone on this site that says they want more power from their 352 or 360 ask what they need for more power. And everyone automatically everyone says "390 crank and rods" Well im BANNING that answer from this post. I kinda wanna see what a 352 I capable of. And then I hear people saying that the 390 is capable of 400 horse and then they say that the 352 wont make that just cuz its got a very small difference in stroke. A 352 is gonna let me spin more RPMs(hopefully up around 6000 from time to time) and Im pretty sure I can make some good power. I think that I can make this a pavement chewing beast without stoking it. Anyone else here agree with me???
So pretty much what Im asking for is anyone that has not molested their 352 into a 390 to tell me what they like about, what they have done to it and what could be changed. Im just tryin to decide which engine is best for ME out of all the series and then make my choice. Im not trying to offend anyone just get some new answers.
Thanks to anyone who helps
Nitro
So pretty much what Im asking for is anyone that has not molested their 352 into a 390 to tell me what they like about, what they have done to it and what could be changed. Im just tryin to decide which engine is best for ME out of all the series and then make my choice. Im not trying to offend anyone just get some new answers.
Thanks to anyone who helps
Nitro
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Screamin 352
First of all making 400HP out of a 352 isn't much harder than a 390. Torque is the difference. Torque at a given RPM determines horsepower. Any engine that makes 400HP at 5252RPM will make 400 ft/lbs at 5252rpm, no exceptions. The 352 will have to wind much higher to achieve the same HP as a 390. Here is the problem. Even though the 352 has a shorter stroke and theoretically can spin more rpm's due to less rod angle, look at the 352 rod compared to the 390 rod. There is a huge difference. The 352 rod was never meant for anything too high in performance. I am positive that a stock 390 can handle 6000rpm better than a 352. Also try stepping down on a 400HP 352 then step down on a 400HP 390. You would notice the 390 immediately sets you back in the seat and the 352 would have to wind up. We won't even compare idle quality between the two. Changing to a 390 crank and rods is a cheap way to achieve torque or low end horsepower. Peak horsepower doesn't give a good representation of overall performance. If you are picking an FE motor to get a massive amount of power the 352/360 is a bad choice period. That's not to say warming over your 352 is a bad idea.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Oztralia
Screamin 352
You be the judge
Compare cost of crank and rods to the valve train needed to turn 7000 RPM (any std 3.78 or 3.98 setup turn 6000 RPM).
Stroking is cheaper than RPM.
Here is a rule of thumb to compare engines of same design but different displacement:
CID * RPM, which ever is the bigger number is better
example
352 * 6000 = 2112000
352 * 6650 = 2340000 (but less $friendly valve train needed)
390 * 6000 = 2340000
Compare cost of crank and rods to the valve train needed to turn 7000 RPM (any std 3.78 or 3.98 setup turn 6000 RPM).
Stroking is cheaper than RPM.
Here is a rule of thumb to compare engines of same design but different displacement:
CID * RPM, which ever is the bigger number is better
example
352 * 6000 = 2112000
352 * 6650 = 2340000 (but less $friendly valve train needed)
390 * 6000 = 2340000
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 0
From: yes
Screamin 352
>Everyone on this site that says they want more power from
>their 352 or 360 ask what they need for more power. And
>everyone automatically everyone says "390 crank and rods"
>Well im BANNING that answer from this post. I kinda wanna
>see what a 352 I capable of. And then I hear people saying
>that the 390 is capable of 400 horse and then they say that
>the 352 wont make that just cuz its got a very small
>difference in stroke. A 352 is gonna let me spin more
>RPMs(hopefully up around 6000 from time to time) and Im
>pretty sure I can make some good power. I think that I can
>make this a pavement chewing beast without stoking it.
>Anyone else here agree with me???
Ford made 6000RPM 352's before they made 6000RPM 390's, use early heads, use small combustion chambers, you may be better off with custom pistons and eagle rods for longevity sake, but the 360 horse 352 galaxies had problems with their valvesprings more than they had problems with the bottom end from what I have read about them. Run high compression, do some oil modifications. expect to have to rev the engine harder. have you considered boost?
>their 352 or 360 ask what they need for more power. And
>everyone automatically everyone says "390 crank and rods"
>Well im BANNING that answer from this post. I kinda wanna
>see what a 352 I capable of. And then I hear people saying
>that the 390 is capable of 400 horse and then they say that
>the 352 wont make that just cuz its got a very small
>difference in stroke. A 352 is gonna let me spin more
>RPMs(hopefully up around 6000 from time to time) and Im
>pretty sure I can make some good power. I think that I can
>make this a pavement chewing beast without stoking it.
>Anyone else here agree with me???
Ford made 6000RPM 352's before they made 6000RPM 390's, use early heads, use small combustion chambers, you may be better off with custom pistons and eagle rods for longevity sake, but the 360 horse 352 galaxies had problems with their valvesprings more than they had problems with the bottom end from what I have read about them. Run high compression, do some oil modifications. expect to have to rev the engine harder. have you considered boost?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Screamin 352
Now that would be a decent idea. With eagle rods and custom pistons (required) 7 grand or slightly more would be attainable with easy as long as the valvetrain was set up for it. Might be better with solid lifters. For a mustang or another light car it might be the ideal setup. Unless a galaxie was geared way up it would be a lot nicer driving car with a 390 though.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Screamin 352
When I opened this thread, I thought you would be screaming at the 352. 
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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
jowilker email me
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/users/jowilker|My Club FTE Page] Member since 01 01
[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.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: Middleton, WI
Screamin 352
My '67 started life with 352 so even though I did the norm and am part of 390 club I'm with you in spirit. If deep of wallet theres a Cobra Motorsports outfit that has a 600hp "Twin Supercharger" set up
that would probably do the trick, and it's only $7995.00. Company website is at www.cobraautomotive.com good luck, CACWBY in WI
that would probably do the trick, and it's only $7995.00. Company website is at www.cobraautomotive.com good luck, CACWBY in WI
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 132
Likes: 8
Screamin 352
I love my 390. I think the car thing is the trick. Ford offered a 352 in its ranchero. It made around 315 or 325 hp if I remember correctly. I just don't think you can beat the torque of the 390 if you have a truck.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Screamin 352
I'm all for building up a 352. I'm not financially able to, and my dad won't let me turn my 352 into a 390 or 428. I'm looking for the most power from a stock cube size. It's the original engine and i'm gonna keep it, what ever displacement i build it up to later on. Right now i'm thinking, intake, carb, ignition, headers, maybe water pump, valvetrain, air cleaner, deep sump oil pan, cam, roller rockers, and more. This should put a 352 up to good horsepower and torque ratings. Anyone else building up their 352 please e-mail me with your story.
Nate
Nate
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Eastern
Screamin 352
Please dont email, please post here as I will be on a mission to rebuild my the 352 in a truck im buying. I would like to go ahead and fix it right while Im working on it.
Speaking of which, does anyone have any information on how to rebuild a 352?
Im new to the mechanic scene
Speaking of which, does anyone have any information on how to rebuild a 352?
Im new to the mechanic scene
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Screamin 352
I really can't help much with technical details, but I have a '65 F100 with a 352 that I've had less than a week. It has a "tripower" carb, whatever that is, headers and general kinetics cam. I don't know if it's been overbored. It will easily smoke 33 X 21.5 X 15 Mickey Thompson Tires in first (rolling) with a 4spd floor shift. That was a quick and last test. I don't see any use for any more engine. It's too nice to hot-rod it, much too nice for a daily driver, but not nice enough to not drive at all. I'll work on some pictures.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 962
Likes: 2
From: Collierville, TN
Screamin 352
"Tripower" refers to an induction that consists of three two-barrel carbs, instead of the usual single 2 or 4 barrel carb. It's obvious just from looking at the engine whether you have that setup. It's also sometimes referred to as a "triple deuce."
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: clementsport canada
Screamin 352
hey ween, welcome to the scene..i also have a 352 that i"m starting to rebuild, so far i"m at the tear down stage, so i"ve got quite a ways to go yet... are you positive you have a 352?....paul