FE ID nubers

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Oct 10, 2008 | 12:21 PM

pinkpanther

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From: Bethel,Ohio

FE ID nubers

I picked up what I thought and was told a 390 but when I removed the flexplate it has 352 stamped in the block upside down. So is this a 352? Can and how can I turn it into a 390 or bigger? Or should I look for another block?I am new to the FE's so I am in the dark here. THanks.

Oct 10, 2008 | 12:53 PM

Bear 45/70

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From: Union, Washington

All the FE blocks had 352 on them, whether a 352, 360,390,etc until in the late 60s when the mirror 105 blockd started showinhup. SO the 352 mens nothing other than it is an FE.

Oct 10, 2008 | 01:28 PM

pinkpanther

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From: Bethel,Ohio

Ok, thanks. SO to really tell if its a 390 do I have to messaure bore and stroke? Or is there casting numbers somewhere? Thanks alot for the help. I was getting pretty pissed when I seen 352 but thats what I get for not knowing that much about ford stuff like the FE's. I have been messing with chevy stuff for the last 15 years.

Oct 10, 2008 | 01:32 PM

85e150

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Check the FAQs at the top of this forum. Lots of answers there, including bore/stroke info. Even if you have a 352, it can be made larger via a different crank. (plus a slight overbore) A few cubes is less important than heads, cams, manifolds, headers, compression ratio and a host of other details.

Also, here is the mix/match info for bore/stroke and other FE info:

FE Engine C.I.D. Combinations

Note this ignores the 360, which is a 390 with a 352 crank. These engines have a below deck piston height and low compression. This is a hopeless combo for power and economy and one remedy is a 390 crank and rod set up with 360 pistons. There are a couple of threads about this as a couple of members have built engines this way. Read anything in the forums that says "360---" or "360 to 390" if need be.

Anyway, lots of parts and interchangeability and lots of performance potential.

Good luck.

Oct 10, 2008 | 01:57 PM

Rockstone

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From: Sin City

check this to determine what you have;
http://www.clubfte.com/users/ratsmoker/FAQ.html

Oct 10, 2008 | 05:14 PM

Bear 45/70

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From: Union, Washington

Quote:

Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod

Actually the 390 car motor and the 390 truck motor are not the same. The 390 truck motor has a compression ration of 8.6 compared to the car motors which went from 9.4 to 10.6. The 360 had a 8.4 compression ratio.

Oct 10, 2008 | 05:43 PM

FFR428

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From: CT

If you remove the oilpan look for a 2U or 3U on the edge of one (think it's #7) of the crank counterweights. Those are 2 of the more common 390 3.78" cranks out there. If you see a 2T or 2TA those are 360 3.50" cranks. There are other 390 cranks numbers so if you look and it's not one of those post what you find. 390 and 360 both shared the same 4.05 bore block. 4.00" bore is a 352 but can be overbored to 4.05+ no problem.