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I oringinally posted a note about a 360 trying to put a 4 barrel set up on it but I got to thinking I have a 352 here with a 4 barrell set up already ther and it was a good runner it has a hooley and an aluminum intake and fancy covers and such and i was told when i bought the truck for parts that it had a 428 in it {had my doubts] but i did not give much for it. I was told ways to tell the diffrence under freeze plug etc. ended up measuring stroke and found out it is a 352. would i be better off tearing this one down to see what it has for heads? I know some 352s came with 4 barr. and i'm wondering how you tell: same for the 390 how do you know what you have as far as heads, pistons etc.? THANKS!
Flyinbrian4,
You can tell the heads by numbers, all the rest you won't know until heads are off. If the 352 is known to be a good runner, fix any leaky gaskets, swap and drop it in. For the most part a 352 is better than a 360, better compression, etc. A little easier to make more horses per inch. IMHO swapping intakes around (especially aluminum ones) is a pain to avoid leaks. I guess maybe I don't know the tricks of getting FE intakes to not leak, as most of my experience is with small block Windsors. I just hear a lot from my brother and other FE enthusiasts that leaks between the cooling, oil system and intake ports are quite common. Now that I'm in the FE family, it would be nice for some experts to share their knowledge and tips.
Thanx & Good Luck,
Gene
Casting numbers on blocks, heads, related parts CANNOT be translated to an actual part number.
1962/76 FE bare blocks (except 406/427 hipo's) have a cast 352 on the left front of the block.
The raw cast blocks all started out as 352's. When finished, the bare blocks might be: 352's, 360/390's, 410's or 428's.
1968/72 360/390 heads are identical, and for parts sold over the counter (service parts), or thru an authorized Ford rebuilder...Ford replaced the original 1965/67 352 heads in late 1967, with the heads used on 1968 [and 69/72] 360/390's = C8AZ-6049-M.
Many vehicles over the past 40 years have had rebuilt heads installed, so even casting dates mean very little.
btw: Only FE engine in a F100/350 wth a 4 barrel carb (optional): 1975/76 390's (VIN engine code M).
Last edited by NumberDummy; Jan 18, 2008 at 04:20 AM.
Thanks again for the info. What i really need to know is was there a difference in the heads from two barrel to four barrel on a 390 or 360? What years did they lower compression on such and how do you know what is what? Thanks again. I have a 390 located in a yard in al. is there a way to tell what the engine is withou teardown\?
Thanks again for the info. What i really need to know is was there a difference in the heads from two barrel to four barrel on a 390 or 360? What years did they lower compression on such and how do you know what is what? Thanks again. I have a 390 located in a yard in al. is there a way to tell what the engine is withou teardown\?
Basically, all 1964/72 352/360/390 heads are identical 2 or 4 barrel.
Ford changed the heads in 1973, and in 1975 replaced the 1973 heads with 1975 heads (D5TZ-6049-H).
Detuning the trucks began in 1973, and IMHO, the reason Ford offered a 4 barrel in 1975/76, was to offset the crappy performance.
352 = last year: 1967 / No FE's in passenger cars after 1971 / 360/390's in F100/350's:1968/76.
Ford replaced the FE's in 1977 with the 351M/400. Both engines are smogged up turds, and are subject to head cracking.
Thanks. In your opinion A 39o with stock pistons and a mild cam would handle a 750 carb? Would you advise headers? I know the newer 460''S can get qa pre 72 timing gear and help them out but is any advise for the 390. Thanks again.