I have a 74 ford f-100 with a 390 under the hood, I am going to replace the engine with a new crate 390 I plan to basically keep everything stock. what parts can I reuse on my new engine? I mean can I use the old harmonic balancer if in good shape, the same flywheel? my new engine will come with everything but intake manifold, carb, flywheel ,harmonic balancer the basics I guess, any advice on building my engine up will be very, very helpful and please any tips!!!

 

You can use the old parts, but look at the harmonic balancer, look for cracks in the rubber or if the outer ring has slipped. Look at the flywheel, check for cracks around the blt holes and the ring gear for wear. You did not say if it is a automatic or standard, if standard have the surface done and replace the pliot bushing on the end of the crankshaft. Hot tank the intake, to make sure it is clean.

 

Are you buying a crate engine or a long block? Most crate engines come complete with only a few parts missing.

 

I plan on using a crate engine

 

Your crate engine sounds more like what is know as a long block. Some do not come with a pan, since the sump can be front or back. I would read the details closely, it should give you a complete list. A harmonic balancer requires a special puller to keep from damaging it during removal.

All of the crate engines I have seen come complete ready to run. I guess since is is a large item they are calling it a crate engine/long block. Where long block consists of block and heads all ready assembled as you describe.

Does it come with new oil pump, lifters, pushrods and rockers, distributer? Is this a reman engine, from a engine rebuilder?

If me I would install new oil pump (if not supplied), lifters and rods at a min. Old lifters can flatten a cam. There are special breakin procedures you must follow. Like run at a certain rpm for 20 min. When it it first stated up. Once the dist is installed, you should rotate the crank 45 deg to make it easier to install the rockers. Also the bolts that hold the rocker are special, so don't put them in the wrong position. If you do not bring them down evenly you can crack a shaft. Also depending on valve grind (stem height), the rods may require a different length.

What I am saying is what you think may be straight forward swap is going to require some work and knowledge of the FE engine.

 

fordmaster - When you're done with the old block, I'll let you ship it here for reuse (maybe). I'm in the process of turning an old tired 360 into a 390. The rotating assy. is the main thing I need, Specially the crank unless yours has more than a 600 CFM 4-bbl carb. I may be going w/ a DUI dizzy also.

 

Question: Since the term "crate engine" refers to a new engine, who makes a brand new 390 engine?

 

Good question Numbers. But I do not know, but the more likely place is FORD. They may have a big warehouse somewhere full of these old parts. You seam to be able to get most all new parts except for the block. And I haven't looked for a new one to know for sure.

I know on bowties crate engine, they would use new engines that failed qc. So it was quite normal to have a new block already 0.030"+ over bore. That way they could use up most of the parts that were not new speced, due to bad castings.

 

The last 390 was used in 1976. You can't buy many new parts for FE engines today from Ford. The short blocks and crankshafts went obsolete in 1983. New long blocks were only available till 1979. Ford's policy then (and now) was any part returned in their Parts Inventory Protection Plan (PIPP) that was a slow seller or obsolete was scrapped. The best place to find new FE engines today are boat shops. Check 'em out, you might luck out.

 

NumberDummy, Good info, kind of what I expected due to age. Did Ford start making the 428CJ again due to the Cobra Kits? Either here or over seas?

 

Due to age....My age, or the engines?

Last 428 = 1970.

 

Some time ago I contacted "The Engine Factory", 1-800-704-5385. They sent me a VCR tape. If I recall, they wanted a 400+ HP 390 FE for around $6,000. Turnkey - plug&play. They're on the internet. Normal aspirated > 750 CFM 4-bbl carb. May be a bit much $$ but nice to research. Prime engine for a kit Cobra to hunt Vette's and Chargers in. There are other places, Jasper engines for one, + others.

 

If you need a crank, I have two for sale. $50 each + shipping. Both are std/std, no visable wear, one's a 2U, the other a 3U. I'm selling all my FE stuff.

 

Ford got rid of all their old stuff long ago. You might find stuff at a dealer in their dusty parts bin, but lots of that stuff is history too, private dealers bought all that stuff years ago too. I know one such 20 miles from me that went thru all the dealers around here and bought it all out to resell.

 

Guilty.

From 1967 thru the late 1980's, I bought out over 300 Ford dealers obsolete inventory in CA, NV, OR, WA and AZ. I also bought all the Code 3 obsolete parts that dealers returned to Ford, and all the left over inventory when the models changed, from the Long Beach and later Pico Rivera assembly plants. Ford sent all these returned and assembly line parts to a local scrapper who was supposed to shred them. The scrapper didn't.