I am trying it figure out what engine I have in my 2 69 F100's.

I am going to look for the casting #'s tomarrow. they maybe 390's or 429's.
When I called Ford and gave them the vin #'s one came back as a
2-bbl 429 (The truck that its in is a long bed, no a/c, and manual everything).
The other came back as a 4 barrel 429 (Truck is a short bed, a/c, power brakes and steering, ranger).

My dilemma is

Both engines look the same and both have 2 barrel carbs.

When I bought the short bed I was told it has a 390 in it. It also has 390 emblems on the lower part of the fenders (I believe they were added by the last owner along with the hood scoop.

I plan on using the long bed truck but converting it to power brakes and steering and a/c.

My question is

1)Which engine would best suit my needs ?

A. cruising on freeway
B. having alot of horsepower for romping on it
C. fuel economy (either will be changed to a 4 barrel 750 carb, strong cam, a edelbrock intake and dual exhaust).


I used to own a 76 F250 with a 390 4BC with a FMX trans. As far as horsepower it had none but it could rip a house off its foundation. I took it to a race track (1/4 mile) and the best she would run was 19 sec. @69 MPH.
What shocked the heck out of me was,it never shifted out of 1st gear. I know my friend didn't believe me either till I ran it again, 20 sec at 68 MPH, at half track.
I shifted from 1st to 2nd @50 MPH and lost all power.
I slammed it back in first and pulled the front wheels about 3" off the ground according to my friend.
My head hurt for about 1 day from slamming the back window. I don't know the RPM's since I didn't have a tach but at 69 she was screaming.
I'm not looking for another torque monster just pure horsepower.

Your suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks Jack

 

The 385 series engines have it all over the FEs when it comes to horsepower per dollar and efficiency. This is coming from a die hard FE guy. As for the 390, I had a bone stock 360 that was on its last leg and ran an 18.4@76 in the quarter so I think you may have problems with your current "tune".

 

I thought the 460 was the first 385 factory offered in a p/u, F250 4x2 in 1973, with the 390 being an option from '68-?

 

Yeah George, I think you're right. 460's were offered in 2wd trucks ONLY (all models) starting in 73 or 74. I don't think a 429 was ever offered in a light truck (HD trucks came with 429's). 360-390's were offered up to early 77 I believe when they were replaced by the 351m/400 series engines.