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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

390 engine question

Old Mar 28, 2009 | 04:49 PM
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390 engine question

I just picked up a 1971 pickup with no motor. I can buy a 1967 390 complete for $400 with 4000 miles on a fresh rebuild.

Is there any major differences that would prevent this motor from working in a 1971?
 
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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 05:23 PM
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What engine was the 71 set up for. If it had a six or a 302 you might have to reposition the motor mount towers. does the 390 come with a tranny. You have to use a tranny from an FE block. You might have to get a different driveshaft. Make sure you get the kickdown linkage with the 390 if you are using an automatic. If you are lucky the 71 came with a 360. If so then it is almost a direct bolt in swap
 
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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 06:30 PM
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The truck is a 1971 3/4 ton Explorer. The person I bought it from also received it with no engine. He thought it had a 390 originally.
I believe the auto trans still in the truck is a C6.

This is the vin number if that helps.
F25HKL04430

Thanks for the replies,
Jeff
 
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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by jvancamp
The truck is a 1971 3/4 ton Explorer. The person I bought it from also received it with no engine. He thought it had a 390 originally.
I believe the auto trans still in the truck is a C6.

This is the vin number if that helps.
F25=F250 2wd
H=390Cid V8
K=Michigan assembly plant
L04430= The remaining six digits are the consecutive unit numbers: your truck was made in November of 1970 at the Michigan assembly plant

Thanks for the replies,
Jeff
So Your 390Cid will bolt directly in as this was the original engine for the truck. a side note to this is Even if you bought a 352-360-410-427-428 they all bolt in
 
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Old Mar 28, 2009 | 09:30 PM
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That's a bargain for the rebuilt motor, providing it is what they say.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 04:53 AM
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Jeff, Look at the top of the tranny bell, if it is round it is a FE 352, 360, 390.

Flat on top with the two top bolt holes about 5 1/2" apart 300 6, or 302.

Flat top with bolt holes about 7 1/2" apart, 351M, 429, 460.

I didn't include all engines but gave you some main ones.

The 71 would have come with either the round top or 5 1/2" bell.



John
 
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 03:26 PM
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Please excuse the questions that may seem simple. I normally run GM and now joining the Ford community.

I just picked up the motor listed above. I was told was a 390. I never looked at the valve cover label until I got it home. The label says it is a 360.

Is there a place on the engine where I can find numbers to verify actual engine size?

This engine did come with AIR compressor, motor mounts, alternator, starter, exhaust manifolds and a C6 trans.

Still I was hoping for the 390.
 
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 05:36 PM
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Have a look at this thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...-vs-390-a.html

good luck!
 
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Old Mar 29, 2009 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by jvancamp
Still I was hoping for the 390.
We have a saying here, They all become 390's on sale day.

There is no visible way to tell any difference.

99% odds in your favor it's a 360.



John
 
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 05:59 AM
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390s rule

390 fe truck engines>started in>1968/ in cars ford and 61 t birds was the first 390/4 barrel holly 330 hp.performance eng.option.i put a 68/ c6-390 cs mustang /buckets/consul-floor shifter/> i found under 72 yr.>shifter problems on the tree selector if it had a c4/ fmx > in a 65 -f100 /only put the eng and trans in as a unit as a easier install and the motor mounts/drive shaft is shorter for c6 long tail .put 1 in my 67 -352>merc 250 cs.same adjustments except mounts ok aka "camaro-killer"
 
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 06:09 AM
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390s rule

390 fe truck engines>started in>1968/ in cars ford and 61 t birds was the first 390/4 barrel holly 330 hp.performance eng.option.i put a 68/ c6-390 cs mustang /buckets/consul-floor shifter/> i found under 72 yr.>shifter problems on the tree selector if it had a c4/ fmx > in a 65 -f100 /only put the eng and trans in as a unit as a easier install and the motor mounts/drive shaft is shorter for c6 long tail .put 1 in my 67 -352>merc 250 cs.same adjustments except mounts ok aka "camaro-killer"
 
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 11:05 AM
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My buddy had a factory 390 in his 67 T-bird. That really was a strong motor.

I prefer the new smallblock windsors simply for the weight savings and current range of cheap parts. 351w stroked to 408 is a good performer and reliable as long as power levels are kept 'reasonable.'
 
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 11:38 AM
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Since the engine is out, the best way to tell is to pull the pan and check the crank casting number.
A 390 should have a casting number of 2U or some of the early ones had
C4AE or C3AE.
A 360 will carry a 2T casting.

And to reiterate: They are always 390's when you are buying.

If it is something different post the number and I'll tell you what it is.
Hope for a 1U (428)
 
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Old Mar 31, 2009 | 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by jvancamp
F25HKL04430
Welcome to FTE

F25 = F250 2WD

H = 390 2V

K = Kansas City Assembly Plant

L04430 = 1971

390: 1961/71 Passenger Cars / 1968/76 F100/350's.

360: 1968/76 F100/350's.

352: 1958/67 Passenger Cars / 1965/67 F100/350's.

1968/76 F100/350's with 360/390 engines used C6's.


 
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Old Apr 1, 2009 | 12:12 AM
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From: Humble,Tx
Originally Posted by NumberDummy
Welcome to FTE

F25 = F250 2WD

H = 390 2V

K = Kansas City Assembly Plant

L04430 = 1971

390: 1961/71 Passenger Cars / 1968/76 F100/350's.

360: 1968/76 F100/350's.

352: 1958/67 Passenger Cars / 1965/67 F100/350's.

1968/76 F100/350's with 360/390 engines used C6's.


yep I misread it I switched the letters around ohwell in that case it came from the same plant my 68 did
 
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