Big Block Questions
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Big Block Questions
Trying to figure out the Ford 427/428 FE big Block. I have an FE big block in my truck. The block is ‘73 390 FE and heads are 64/67 390 cylinder heads. What whould it entail to bump things up to a monster 427? Here’s what I know. The 427/428 are based on the FE block. The question is what makes the 390 different from the 427/428? Is it the cylinder heads? Is it the bore and stroke? Is it the Combustion chambers piston size? so many variables…short of buying a 427 or 428 what can be done to my Ford 390 Fe block to convert to either a 427 or 428?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
Well, they are the same family and the same design but a real 427 is just about a completely different animal.
The 427 block was cast and stress relieved, with a higher nickel content and thicker deck. The later side oiler models could support hydraulic lifters but the early models and most others had mechanical lifters. Your 390 should have Hydraulic lifters. Rod caps were cross bolted. The bore was different, pistons, crank, rods/caps, cam, heads, intake manifold all different. There's probably more, channels cut for oiling, bores slotted for intake valves, etc. but you get the picture - want a 427-go buy a 427! Sorry to dash your dreams!
Why not rebuild your 390 as an HP or Police Interceptor variant?
There is an excellent book I used to rebuild my 390 called "How to rebuild Ford Big-Block Engines" by Steve Christ published by HPBooks.
There is a forum on FTE just for FE engines. You might try asking some of those guys as well.
Good Luck,
J!
The 427 block was cast and stress relieved, with a higher nickel content and thicker deck. The later side oiler models could support hydraulic lifters but the early models and most others had mechanical lifters. Your 390 should have Hydraulic lifters. Rod caps were cross bolted. The bore was different, pistons, crank, rods/caps, cam, heads, intake manifold all different. There's probably more, channels cut for oiling, bores slotted for intake valves, etc. but you get the picture - want a 427-go buy a 427! Sorry to dash your dreams!
Why not rebuild your 390 as an HP or Police Interceptor variant?
There is an excellent book I used to rebuild my 390 called "How to rebuild Ford Big-Block Engines" by Steve Christ published by HPBooks.
There is a forum on FTE just for FE engines. You might try asking some of those guys as well.
Good Luck,
J!
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
C8AZ-6010-C .. Bare Block = 1968/76 360/390
C8AZ-6009-G .. 360 Short Block = 1968/76
C8AZ-6009-H .. 390 Short Block = 1968/76
The 390 heads used in 1964/67 are car only. F100/350's didn't get the 390 (or 360) engine till 1968.
1968/72 F100/350's w/360/390's and 1968/71 passenger cars w/ 390's (exc HiPo's) use the same head: C8AZ-6049-M
1973/76 F100/350's with 360/390's use the same head: D5TZ-6049-H.
No 390 4V's were factory installed on F100/350's till 1974. 1974/76: The heads used with the 4V are the same as the 2V.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 38
From: Valley Center, California
I personally like the 390 displacement as a real strong and well balanced combo. The beauty of the FE is that it's easy to grow them. There are a variety of combos but with a conservative bore and a 428 Crank, you can obtain 416 ish inches easily. A 4.25 Crank will get you up around 430 inches. You can go bigger but I don't like to bore the 390 any more than necessary.
Keep in mind that you'd be building a grunt motor, not a 7000 RPM Side-Oiler.
Keep in mind that you'd be building a grunt motor, not a 7000 RPM Side-Oiler.
