360 and 390 heads
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360 and 390 heads
I'm looking for a little help. It may sound stupid to the real motor heads out there but I need to know whether or not a 390 head will fit on a 360 engine. I do know that there are a few other parts that are interchangeable ie: exhaust manifolds. This question is for my brother-in-law's 72 f-250 camper special. He thought he had a 390 but the vin shows 360. I havn't seen the engine yet but the parts he has been ordering are for a 390. He was told it was a 390 when he bought the truck. I just bought a 69 f-250 with a 390. Haven't seen it yet so I am hoping it is a 390 as the Vin# shows it is. Thanks for the help on this.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I'm looking for a little help. It may sound stupid to the real motor heads out there but I need to know whether or not a 390 head will fit on a 360 engine. I do know that there are a few other parts that are interchangeable ie: exhaust manifolds. This question is for my brother-in-law's 72 f-250 camper special. He thought he had a 390 but the vin shows 360. I havn't seen the engine yet but the parts he has been ordering are for a 390. He was told it was a 390 when he bought the truck. I just bought a 69 f-250 with a 390. Haven't seen it yet so I am hoping it is a 390 as the Vin# shows it is. Thanks for the help on this.
The heads used on 1968/72's (cars w/390's 1968/71) are the same part number: C8AZ-6049-M and will have a casting number prefix of C8AE or D2TE.
In 1968, Ford replaced the head used on 1964/67 352 engines with the above 360/390 head as a service part replacement.
The heads used 1973/76 are a different part number (D5TZ-6049-N)...it has to do with emissions on 1973/76's.
FE VIN engine codes for 1968/76 (4th digit):
H = 390 2V / M = 390 4V (1974/76 only) / Y = 360 2V.
btw: On sale day, 352 & 360 engines magically become 390's.
What engine izit? Is the engine original? FE engines from 1958 thru 1976 look identical.
Measure the stroke: 352/360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78"
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Anaheim, California
Even though the heads are "the same", it's a good idea to replace the heads in pairs. If putting 360 head on 390 or visa versa, put BOTH of the heads from one engine to the other. This way you are assured that the combustion chambers, valve size, and spring rates are the same for both installed heads.
Squido
Squido
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Even though the heads are "the same", it's a good idea to replace the heads in pairs. If putting 360 head on 390 or visa versa, put BOTH of the heads from one engine to the other. This way you are assured that the combustion chambers, valve size, and spring rates are the same for both installed heads.
Squido
Squido
C8AZ-6049-M .. Cylinder Head.
Fits: 1968/72 - F100/350 - 360/390.
Fits: 1968/71 Galaxie/LTD - 390.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Anaheim, California
If you intend to completely overhaul the head that's a different story altogether, and any differences in valve spring rate or valve guide/stem size or combustion chamber size will be identified.
Again, just my personal opinion.
Squido
4wd Low
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 10
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From: Detroit MI and Beulah CO
Same head: 360/390.
The heads used on 1968/72's (cars w/390's 1968/71) are the same part number: C8AZ-6049-M and will have a casting number prefix of C8AE or D2TE.
In 1968, Ford replaced the head used on 1964/67 352 engines with the above 360/390 head as a service part replacement.
The heads used 1973/76 are a different part number (D5TZ-6049-N)...it has to do with emissions on 1973/76's.
FE VIN engine codes for 1968/76 (4th digit):
H = 390 2V / M = 390 4V (1974/76 only) / Y = 360 2V.
btw: On sale day, 352 & 360 engines magically become 390's.
What engine izit? Is the engine original? FE engines from 1958 thru 1976 look identical.
Measure the stroke: 352/360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78"
The heads used on 1968/72's (cars w/390's 1968/71) are the same part number: C8AZ-6049-M and will have a casting number prefix of C8AE or D2TE.
In 1968, Ford replaced the head used on 1964/67 352 engines with the above 360/390 head as a service part replacement.
The heads used 1973/76 are a different part number (D5TZ-6049-N)...it has to do with emissions on 1973/76's.
FE VIN engine codes for 1968/76 (4th digit):
H = 390 2V / M = 390 4V (1974/76 only) / Y = 360 2V.
btw: On sale day, 352 & 360 engines magically become 390's.
What engine izit? Is the engine original? FE engines from 1958 thru 1976 look identical.
Measure the stroke: 352/360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78"
... do the 74-76 heads work fine on a 1968 360?
... and is a 390 4 barrel (M code) a good 390? Does the 4 barrel help more than the emissions hurts?
Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,853
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From: Minnesota
Yes, the 74-76 heads work fine and may be a better option as some have hardened seats for the valves. As for the 390, in my opinion there isn't a bad one but then it depends on what you want it to do.
4wd Low
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Detroit MI and Beulah CO
Thanks
... what i want one of these engines to do is power my 1968 F100 short bed 4x4...
... the one it came with has a very cracked head, and seized oil pump (even broke the oil pump drive shaft)... ... yet decent compression (mostly 150 psi, 135 in cylinder 4, but 150 in cylinder 6 where the crack is letting in massive amounts of coolant)...
... a person is selling what they call a running 390 (unknown compression, been sitting) with a 4 barrel steel intake...
... or I could buy a head, or heads, and fix the 360 in the truck with the 2 barrel steel intake (and replace the oil pump and shaft, of course)
Any thoughts, suggestions, etc?
Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,853
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From: Minnesota
If the 390 is really a 390 and the price is good, I would get it. Between the two engines you should have plenty of parts to make a good one.
The Valves, Springs, Rockers and Shafts are all interchangeable. The push rods are as well. I would splurge and get new Cam, Lifters, Timing Chain and Oil Pump personally.
The Cast Iron Manifold is just heavy, but its already there so that is a cost savings. The one thing to do is get a phenolic spacer for between the Card and Manifold for heat isolation.
That should make a great Motor for your truck with a bump in performance for sure.
Good luck and post pictures of the damage to the 360 and of the new engine when you get it!
The Valves, Springs, Rockers and Shafts are all interchangeable. The push rods are as well. I would splurge and get new Cam, Lifters, Timing Chain and Oil Pump personally.
The Cast Iron Manifold is just heavy, but its already there so that is a cost savings. The one thing to do is get a phenolic spacer for between the Card and Manifold for heat isolation.
That should make a great Motor for your truck with a bump in performance for sure.
Good luck and post pictures of the damage to the 360 and of the new engine when you get it!
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 54
Likes: 15
From: New Mexico
I'm looking for a little help. It may sound stupid to the real motor heads out there but I need to know whether or not a 390 head will fit on a 360 engine. I do know that there are a few other parts that are interchangeable ie: exhaust manifolds. This question is for my brother-in-law's 72 f-250 camper special. He thought he had a 390 but the vin shows 360. I havn't seen the engine yet but the parts he has been ordering are for a 390. He was told it was a 390 when he bought the truck. I just bought a 69 f-250 with a 390. Haven't seen it yet so I am hoping it is a 390 as the Vin# shows it is. Thanks for the help on this.
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