I just ran across a pretty sweet deal smoething being advertised as a

'64 390-4-bbl, 4-spd motor for a fair price minus a carb....

NOW I'm re-thinkin' buildin' one of our 302's...go figure...here is the info I got so far...sight UNSEEN:

from the rear of the block below the head the is a casting:#0Z573011
on the head: #C8AE-H
on the intake: #CZAE

I'm waitin' for the dude to get back to me with MORE info...

WHAT the heck IS this...a 390...one website said it is a 427 side oiler

 

1958–1976 FE V8 — big-block
* 1958–1971 Generation I (332/352/360/361/390)

The 390 in³ (of 389.6 in³ or 6.4 L true displacement) engine, with a bore of 4.05 in (103 mm) and stroke of 3.78 in (96 mm), was the most common FE engine in later application. It was used in many Ford cars as the standard engine, as well as many trucks. It was a popular high-performance engine too; although not as powerful as the 427 and 428 models, it provided good performance, particularly in the lighter weight vehicles, and was in much greater supply. The 390cid 2v is rated at 265 bhp @ 4,100 rpm.


Found this on, of all places, Wikipedia....

 

i was goin to go that route but found out parts are much more expensive so if budget is a problem watch out!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Running a 68 390 in my 56. tight fit with the volare clip, edelbrock 650 carb, edelbrock performance intake. C6 trans. Nice get up and go.

 

Make sure it is in fact a 390 is thats what your looking for. 352, 360, 390, and others use the same block casting. Bore and stroke is different. I bought what was claimed to be a 390 for my f600 only to discover a year later that it is a 360. 360 can be built into a 390 by changing crank, rods and pistons.

Best mod I have done to the old girl. Gained almost 100 cubic inches and more power. Plenty of room under hood with stock suspension. Watch the oil pans. Front sump or rear sump. I am using the stock radiator and shroud and have no problem overheating. My truck works pulling itself and trailer, combined weight is just over 10,000 lbs unloaded. Runs with traffic once I get up to speed loaded.

A FE is a very good choice in my opinion.

 

...just got another email...I'm gonna have to go see this thing:

from the rear of the block below the head the is a casting: #OZ578011
on the head: #C8AE-H
2 #'s on the intake: #CZAE & 2D17

The dude said to give him a call and he'll heat up the garage so we can spend some time lookin' it over...and now the price is "alittle flexible"...hhhmmm...

 

2D17 indicates it as a 1972 engine manufactured on April 17th. The casting numbers are at the beginning of that design. IE: the heads made in 1968 are the same as the heads made in 1978, or until a new casting is made, then it will adapt that code from then on til the next time, etc... Unless you have a mix-match of parts, you are looking at a 1972 engine. pull the valve covers off and look for another date code which should also start with 2.

 

if it's a 360 dont turn it down . just get it cheaper ! they themselves are a good running motor and ive had plenty of 'em including two in the garage right now .there were at one time many racing stripes from taking the trucks they were in for joy rides around here . as was said relly easy to turn 'em into 390's and beside 's which the fe stuff is kinda getting hard to find . if the flaty in either one of mine gives up the temp replacement is gonna be an fe .

 

If my truck ever runs, It will be powered by a 64 390 w/a Tri-Power setup. Should be plenty of room with a straight axle setup.

 

Don't get me wrong. I am very happy with my 360. Its just saying it has a 390 makes more heads turn.

 

tri power dainnit you s-ck !!!!!!!!!!!! i bid on one carbs air cleaner and all about a year ago and someone kept running it up . was it you !!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!

 

The heads are from a 68 Galaxie, I don't think thats a true block casting number. I use this site to decipher Ford casting numbers:

http://www.classicmustang.com/decoding_part_numbers.htm

 

...ya...this just keeps gettin' more wierd by the hour...

sence we have TWO "running" 302's here at home...AND we got two C4's with the '56...I think I "should build a KILLER small block Ford...

THATS my story and I'm stickin' 2 it...I think...here is the latest email I got from the 390 dude...the numbers keep changin"...

'64 390-4-bbl, 4-spd motor
from the rear of the block below the head the is a casting: #OZ578011
on the head: #C8AE-H
2 #'s on the intake: #CZAE & 2D17 AND#CZAE-9425C

price is "kinda " flexable...at $500 w/o carb...

 

"360 can be built into a 390 by changing crank, rods and pistons. "

This is what I have in my 56 with a straight front axle and a C-6.

The original 2v carb works fine. Some day I hope to have some different intake. However I don't know what would work best?

So far I can't complain, except for the gas milage - about 10mpg

 

i found a factory four barrel intake layin ' round at my bud norms house off a 65 bird he parted out . wasn't using it and was gonna scrap it i put it in my truck and locked the doors . yeah it wasn't the aftermarket good stuff but hey that stuff really is getting hard to find and the speed parts are climbing in price as no one really seems to be messing with them other than a few . outdated , overweight, gutless , lumps of iron i read in one of the fine primemedia rags . yeah sure so keep on preachin' bout them ch---'s and we'll take the good stuff . i seen that summit sells a stroker kit to turn a 360 into a 418 . man i want one bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!