Buying a FE block
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Buying a FE block
Hey, guys! It has been a while since I was on here, so here goes.
I was talking to a guy that I know at work, and he mentioned that he was asking 100 bucks for a 390 bored out to a 428.
According to him, it is a bit rusty and needs a good cleaning. It is just a bare block. It doesn't have heads, crank, pistons, rods, exhaust manifolds, intake or carb. I will have to get them one at a time.
What would you do? Would you take it or walk away?
Thanks.
I was talking to a guy that I know at work, and he mentioned that he was asking 100 bucks for a 390 bored out to a 428.
According to him, it is a bit rusty and needs a good cleaning. It is just a bare block. It doesn't have heads, crank, pistons, rods, exhaust manifolds, intake or carb. I will have to get them one at a time.
What would you do? Would you take it or walk away?
Thanks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
A stock 390 taken out .080??? I'd have to give the block a closer look to even think about that one.
A reasonable price also depends on your area. This block popped up on Craigslist here. It might have been taken out to it's limit already, but damn, look at those mains. LOL It was listed with several other items all for $500.
Ford 289, 351C, 390, 429 engines, parts and a transmission
A reasonable price also depends on your area. This block popped up on Craigslist here. It might have been taken out to it's limit already, but damn, look at those mains. LOL It was listed with several other items all for $500.
Ford 289, 351C, 390, 429 engines, parts and a transmission
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 4
From: Mddl A MexCans
Go to pick your part on a 1/2 price weekend aka this weekend here. $120.00 + tax gets you the entire engine. I have pulled one at that price and it was 4.050 and the ridge was minimal. Worst part about that one was the snout on the crank had some kinked edges on the keyway. Other than that it was a great find 64 Tbird 390 with C4AE heads (No intake/exhaust) but those would have been included if there.....
Used Auto Parts ? ...Pick Your Part!
Used Auto Parts ? ...Pick Your Part!
Last edited by Redmanbob; Aug 8, 2008 at 08:31 AM. Reason: spelling
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Northern CA
$100 for a rusty bare block that has been bored .080? Not a chance.
With a little effort you could probably find a used 360 or 390 that runs already for a couple hundred bucks. Prolly find one with a C6 attached for $350.
I'm with Bob, get the whole engine then rebuild.
One quick search locally found a running 390 for $250.
Ford FE 390 complete engine runs good
With a little effort you could probably find a used 360 or 390 that runs already for a couple hundred bucks. Prolly find one with a C6 attached for $350.
I'm with Bob, get the whole engine then rebuild.
One quick search locally found a running 390 for $250.
Ford FE 390 complete engine runs good
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Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
Hyp pretty cool that block has the crossbolt nubs. I hope there is still some meat left in the walls.
BlueO... see the one missing freeze plug in Mikes block? Notice the gap inside? That's where you can quickly measure that gap with drill bits to see what cyl wall cores the block was cast with. You can search here or at 332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum for "drill bit test". Tho a sonic map is the very best way to measure actual thickness the drill bit test is a quick and easy field test. Long story short a 17/64" drill bit shank will fit between the cyls there for 352-360-390 wallcores. 13/64" for 428 and some 406 wall cores. If you see a 4.11 bore and 390 wall cores your getting thin. Most blocks that support 428 wall cores can handle 4.13-4.16 depending on coreshift. I've had 2 really good 428 blocks that safely went .060-4.19 and 1 so so was done at .030. So look into the drill bit thing to help you check that and future blocks you look at.
BlueO... see the one missing freeze plug in Mikes block? Notice the gap inside? That's where you can quickly measure that gap with drill bits to see what cyl wall cores the block was cast with. You can search here or at 332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum for "drill bit test". Tho a sonic map is the very best way to measure actual thickness the drill bit test is a quick and easy field test. Long story short a 17/64" drill bit shank will fit between the cyls there for 352-360-390 wallcores. 13/64" for 428 and some 406 wall cores. If you see a 4.11 bore and 390 wall cores your getting thin. Most blocks that support 428 wall cores can handle 4.13-4.16 depending on coreshift. I've had 2 really good 428 blocks that safely went .060-4.19 and 1 so so was done at .030. So look into the drill bit thing to help you check that and future blocks you look at.
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Senior User
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He had all machine work done on it along time ago and wants to unload it. He has another one done the same way.
I thought some 360's and 390's were cast with much thicker cylinder walls and that allowed them to be bored out to 428 specs?
But if you think it's not worth it, then I'll just keep looking.
FFR428, thanks for that tip! I'll have to keep that in mind when I buy a motor. I appreciate it! Thanks very much.
I thought some 360's and 390's were cast with much thicker cylinder walls and that allowed them to be bored out to 428 specs?
But if you think it's not worth it, then I'll just keep looking.
FFR428, thanks for that tip! I'll have to keep that in mind when I buy a motor. I appreciate it! Thanks very much.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
I'm not selling the farm for this one Glenn. I need to thin the herd as it is. LOL
I did email the guy, he sent some pics. It turns out his Dad used to own a machine shop, used it in his pick-up for some time and replaced it with a 460. The guy thinks it may be bored out .060 already, but I'm thinking dear old dad put this block in storage for some reason or another.
I posted the link to the ad for another reason: He has an honest-to-God overdrive transmission that was bolted to this engine. FWIW, I can make it to Grand Junction in about 3 & 1/2 hours. LOL
Here is the link again: Ford 289, 351C, 390, 429 engines, parts and a transmission
I did email the guy, he sent some pics. It turns out his Dad used to own a machine shop, used it in his pick-up for some time and replaced it with a 460. The guy thinks it may be bored out .060 already, but I'm thinking dear old dad put this block in storage for some reason or another.
I posted the link to the ad for another reason: He has an honest-to-God overdrive transmission that was bolted to this engine. FWIW, I can make it to Grand Junction in about 3 & 1/2 hours. LOL
Here is the link again: Ford 289, 351C, 390, 429 engines, parts and a transmission
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
That's a pretty nice stash for $500. I can see you'd easily get that back selling a few things. The 351C stuff sells well. Good std bore blocks are hard to find. Thin the herd??? Naaa you just need more space. LOL!!! 
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