360 to 410
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,503
Likes: 2,817
Worth it? Most say "yes" as it turns the dog poop 360 into a mountain-flattening powerhouse that uses the same amount of gas or less.
428 crank and rods....google "stroker crank kits" and find kit prices, or scour the junkyards for '67 Mercury 410s or 428s.
Can you do it with the motor left in the truck? Sure, if you don't mind risking the engine being contaminated during the rebuild, and if your'e going to put new pistons into an old bore and then wonder why it burns oil.....
428 crank and rods....google "stroker crank kits" and find kit prices, or scour the junkyards for '67 Mercury 410s or 428s.
Can you do it with the motor left in the truck? Sure, if you don't mind risking the engine being contaminated during the rebuild, and if your'e going to put new pistons into an old bore and then wonder why it burns oil.....
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 840
Likes: 8
Stroking a 390 with a 428 crank requires pistons designed for a 410. Only a few aftermarket companies make them and they vary quite a bit in piston weight. Without a doubt, the crank will have to be balanced accordingly.
On the truck? Forget it. Not only are the points mentioned above applicable (bore re-conditioning, dirt, etc.), you won't be able to swap cranks unless the transmission is removed, so you're a long way towards removing the engine anyway. Along with the tediousness of the job, you are way farther ahead to spend the time to take the engine out.
The greatest change you can make to your engine (and possibly in the truck) is to install a different camshaft. Next, free up the exhaust with headers, etc. Last, look at carburation. I may be wrong, but I think I could easily make a 390 outperform a stock 410 with just these three changes.
On the truck? Forget it. Not only are the points mentioned above applicable (bore re-conditioning, dirt, etc.), you won't be able to swap cranks unless the transmission is removed, so you're a long way towards removing the engine anyway. Along with the tediousness of the job, you are way farther ahead to spend the time to take the engine out.
The greatest change you can make to your engine (and possibly in the truck) is to install a different camshaft. Next, free up the exhaust with headers, etc. Last, look at carburation. I may be wrong, but I think I could easily make a 390 outperform a stock 410 with just these three changes.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,503
Likes: 2,817
Keep in mind he has a 360. You can wake up a 360 with intake and headers, but it's still groggy due to low compression, roundish cam, & below deck piston height.
And higher compression pistons are not to be had, we've been through this several times here.
So, "crank up".
And higher compression pistons are not to be had, we've been through this several times here.
So, "crank up".
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 840
Likes: 8
OOPS!!! I misread and thought he had a 390! Sorry about that.
I'm not sure, but didn't some 360s come with 410 pistons, so all he would have to add besides the 428 crank would be 390 rods (as he's asking)? Of course, it would be a hone and re-ring job if you can't get oversize pistons anymore. Plus, dissassembly would be required to check the current pistons and bore condition.....
I'm not sure, but didn't some 360s come with 410 pistons, so all he would have to add besides the 428 crank would be 390 rods (as he's asking)? Of course, it would be a hone and re-ring job if you can't get oversize pistons anymore. Plus, dissassembly would be required to check the current pistons and bore condition.....
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,503
Likes: 2,817
If I'm reading this all correctly, 360s came with 390 pistons. 4v or 2v, not sure, as the reports are that leaving or using "360" pistons with the 390 crank and rods gives you 9.5 or so compression, about what a 390 2v had. There may be a combustion chamber size difference, so that the car 4v pistons, good for 10 or 10.5, give you 9.5 with the truck heads.
As always, it is incumbent upon the builder to calculate and measure BEFORE assembly/purchase of new parts.
As always, it is incumbent upon the builder to calculate and measure BEFORE assembly/purchase of new parts.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Early 360's did use 390 pistons with a 1.76 compression height. Later 360's in the "smog" era went to 410 pistons with the 1.66 compression height. The pistons are actually cast with 410 on their sides. In theory, they could be used with the 3.98 crank and 6.49 rods, as the original poster asked. However, this bumps the pistons rings into a previously unswept area of the bore, most likely causing failure.
In a fresh rebuild, any late 360 pistons that have a 1.66 compression height are the ticket, and are commonly available. Complete 410's can be found in both '66 and '67 full-size Mercurys, and have an M as the fifth digit of the VIN.
In a fresh rebuild, any late 360 pistons that have a 1.66 compression height are the ticket, and are commonly available. Complete 410's can be found in both '66 and '67 full-size Mercurys, and have an M as the fifth digit of the VIN.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
From: Cascade, ID
?????
Let me get this straight, 360 pistons are the same as 410 pistons? Interesting. I guess I need to look that up in the FE bible just to see it with my own eyes.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
As Numbers Dummy has found out the hard way in another thread, actual hands-on experience beats the books every time.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Yes. I called an FE engine builder I know yesterday to see if "he" remembered the cut-off date for the early pistons. He can't, either, but he is also well aware of the short piston changeover.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
