Dumb question about FE
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2001
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Dumb question about FE
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 09-Oct-01 AT 11:31 AM (EST)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 09-Oct-01 AT 11:31 AM (EST)[/font]
As you will tell by my question, I'm pretty new to this mechanicin' thing. I have a '76 Ford F150 4x4 w/ 4spd manual(bought from the original owner). He replaced the motor with a standard build 360 and told me there was around 60K miles on it. According to a compression check the cylinders are all right around 135lbs.
I'm looking to redo the heads, and have saw some on e-bay for an FE type engine. What is that and how do I tell if that's what I have. I've also been told that the only difference between the 360 and 390 is the crank and rods. Is this the case? Would you all suggest a 390 over a 360? It's a daily driver, but kind of a dog and gas milage is non-existent anyway (roughly 10 mpg).
Thanks for any help!
As you will tell by my question, I'm pretty new to this mechanicin' thing. I have a '76 Ford F150 4x4 w/ 4spd manual(bought from the original owner). He replaced the motor with a standard build 360 and told me there was around 60K miles on it. According to a compression check the cylinders are all right around 135lbs.
I'm looking to redo the heads, and have saw some on e-bay for an FE type engine. What is that and how do I tell if that's what I have. I've also been told that the only difference between the 360 and 390 is the crank and rods. Is this the case? Would you all suggest a 390 over a 360? It's a daily driver, but kind of a dog and gas milage is non-existent anyway (roughly 10 mpg).
Thanks for any help!
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 1
Dumb question about FE
yes you do have an FE engine.
the only difference between a 360/390 is the crank,rods and in some cases pistons.(390 pistons have a thinner skirt for clearance, but several truck 360's have 390 pistons in them)most people on here will probably suggest going with the 390 since it is a relitively simple upgrage, gas milage will be about the same
as for the heads on e-bay- post the casting numbers of both your heads and the ones on e-bay and someone can tell you which ones are better. (casting #'s are between the two middle spark plugs)
hope this helps a little
Doc
the only difference between a 360/390 is the crank,rods and in some cases pistons.(390 pistons have a thinner skirt for clearance, but several truck 360's have 390 pistons in them)most people on here will probably suggest going with the 390 since it is a relitively simple upgrage, gas milage will be about the same
as for the heads on e-bay- post the casting numbers of both your heads and the ones on e-bay and someone can tell you which ones are better. (casting #'s are between the two middle spark plugs)
hope this helps a little
Doc
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 962
Likes: 2
From: Collierville, TN
Dumb question about FE
You do have a FE. With compression at 135 across all cylinders, though, your motor is in fine shape. If and when you need to do a bottom end rebuild, you should definitely replace the crank and rods with those out of a 390 or 428 (results in 410 cid), but don't bother until you need to rebuild what you have. It's a lot of work. Neither will get you better mileage, but both will result in a lot more HP and torque than your 360.
Your best bet in terms of bang-for-buck upgrades would be headers and a dual exhaust, followed perhaps by having your heads port matched (and a good multi-angle valve job done). I'm not convinced that there's much to gain just by swapping heads on most FE engines. Following those steps, try an aftermarket 4v aluminum intake manifold and a 4 barrel carb. All of those improvements can be done is phases, with the motor in the truck, and they'll all still be useful if and when you decide to rebuild the bottom end into a 390 or 410.
karlsd a/k/a "ksd"
69 F100 Explorer 360/C6
Your best bet in terms of bang-for-buck upgrades would be headers and a dual exhaust, followed perhaps by having your heads port matched (and a good multi-angle valve job done). I'm not convinced that there's much to gain just by swapping heads on most FE engines. Following those steps, try an aftermarket 4v aluminum intake manifold and a 4 barrel carb. All of those improvements can be done is phases, with the motor in the truck, and they'll all still be useful if and when you decide to rebuild the bottom end into a 390 or 410.
karlsd a/k/a "ksd"
69 F100 Explorer 360/C6
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From: yes
Dumb question about FE
Your best bet in terms of bang-for-buck upgrades would be headers and a dual exhaust, followed perhaps by having your heads port matched (and a good multi-angle valve job done). I'm not convinced that there's much to gain just by swapping heads on most FE engines
