Rebuild 352
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Junior User
Joined: May 2007
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Rebuild 352
I have a 352 currently and want yall's opinion; is it worth rebuilding? I like fe motors, but has anybody rebuilt a 352 they are happy with (pics are nice). This is for a cruiser, but I do want to be able to romp on it occassionally. I hear alot about the 390's and I just wanted to know if any body kept the 352 or are they just not worth it?
Thanks
Thanks
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by iiizman
I have a 352 currently and want yall's opinion; is it worth rebuilding? I like fe motors, but has anybody rebuilt a 352 they are happy with (pics are nice). This is for a cruiser, but I do want to be able to romp on it occassionally. I hear alot about the 390's and I just wanted to know if any body kept the 352 or are they just not worth it?
Thanks
Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
What will be the main use of the truck? If you tow it is an excellent choice. For having hair raising power it'll deliver, for sipping gas while cruising it is a failure.
The 390 is a better and bigger version of that engine, and if you have one, rebuild it instead.
It is a 1950s design, that still delivers today. A modular engine can deliver power and gas mileage too. A friend has a 5.4L out of a Lincoln in his 65 that gets in the low 20s. It is much more work getting all of the electronic parts to work in the old truck, but when you can get it right it is awesome. IMHO
John
The 390 is a better and bigger version of that engine, and if you have one, rebuild it instead.
It is a 1950s design, that still delivers today. A modular engine can deliver power and gas mileage too. A friend has a 5.4L out of a Lincoln in his 65 that gets in the low 20s. It is much more work getting all of the electronic parts to work in the old truck, but when you can get it right it is awesome. IMHO
John
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 4
From: Mddl A MexCans
if it's a simple hone and new rings, bearings and gaskets. The 352 will be cheap and deliver just fine. if you need new pistons due to an overbore . 2 choices. 1. Find a 390 to build and sell the 352 parts off. 2. find a donor 390 crank/rods and do the 352 (probably just get new pistons).
Mine is a 352 .030 and pistons were 270.00 rings are about 25.00 more than the 390 set.. so basically 200.00 more to put a 352 .030 back together than a 390... (just in the rotating assembly)
Mine is a 352 .030 and pistons were 270.00 rings are about 25.00 more than the 390 set.. so basically 200.00 more to put a 352 .030 back together than a 390... (just in the rotating assembly)
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
Likes: 7
From: Glendale Arizona
First see how far out the 352 needs to clean up the bore.
The 352 is a 4.00 bore and the 390 is 4.050 Almost .060 over on the 352 block.
This means the 352 block is now needed to go out to almost its service limit to make the 390 bore.
Score a 360 block that all ready is stock at 4.050 standard. This allows over bore to clean up a possible of 2 more rebuilds verses the .010 left to the 352 block, There are millions of 360 truck blocks out there.
Garbz
The 352 is a 4.00 bore and the 390 is 4.050 Almost .060 over on the 352 block.
This means the 352 block is now needed to go out to almost its service limit to make the 390 bore.
Score a 360 block that all ready is stock at 4.050 standard. This allows over bore to clean up a possible of 2 more rebuilds verses the .010 left to the 352 block, There are millions of 360 truck blocks out there.
Garbz
