I was thinking about a 390 for my truck, I'm still thinking that route. I have a 302 in my '67 Mustang, my brother has one in his '69 Bronco, they're great engines. Personally though I am thinking I want my truck to be a 4x4, and from my experience the 302 is just a tad bit too small sometimes. The 351w will work with things for the 302 in most cases (like transmissions) and I think that's close to my ideal engine do to it's size but also power. But like you said you don't have one, that's ok I don't have one or a spare 390 or 302 lol

Personally, out of those two I'd say the 390, always nice to have a little more displacement when you need it. Plus it looks cooler under the hood, lol

 

at one time i had two 390's and the two 360 fe's i have still sitting here . i sold the 390's too guy's who just had to have a 390 , as they weren't smart enough to realize with a simple crank kit the 360's which i was asking a whole lot less for , would become 390's . i still have the 360's and the plan is one day to build a 418 stroker out of one and drop the 390 crank kit in the other and find homes for them . . i got a fuelie 302 , a 292 y , an 4.6 pi , the 4.6 in my bird , and soon a 200 dollar running 69 351 windsor { small chamber heads on it a lot of folks want }and the flathead in my 53 . my choices are as follows , my flatty , then an fe !!!!!!!!!!! then the y . the rest are belly buttons that i happened to get a deal on or get free .

 

Dave,

all of this discussion can be brought to a close here.... If you choose the 302 you must be prepared for ridicule... do a search on 'girlie motors'.

The 390 is a horse...a strong horse... but you have to ask yourself... "is it a big enough horse ???" the question may plague you for years...

solution ??

460 cu in the big horse in the barn !!!!!

later
John

 

Anybody looking for a parted 302 and tranny?

 

I have to say that I am totally pleased with the FE series of engines. They are Reliable, strong and fun to drive. The extra power is really worth the extra cash for the parts.

Like others have said Gas mileage really shouldn't be a consideration as the front of these trucks look like barns anyway

 

fe's are great engines but parts are so high for them. i have a 450+ hp(on pump gas) stroked 302 that will get close to the same mileage as the 390. the stroker 302 has aluminum heads, forged internals, and i dont have 2500 in it. maybe it's the mustang in me. i have a heard of ponies and they all have small blocks.
has anyone else noticed it is also getting hard to find machine shops that can do valve jobs on heads with rocker shafts. the last couple i was involved with, the stems varied a 1/4" in height. both of these machine shops were "reputable". went to pick them up and told them they weren't gonna work like that. the guys both told me they would work fine, i just would have to adjust each rocker. huh? made'm start over and they worked out ok.

 

What a great question...

To make a long story short, I started off with a 390 and after forgetting antifreeze needed a new engine. After going though some self debating I later ended up with a free 5.0 w/donor junk along with a cheap rebuilt 390. Here are some notes:

- Both are capable of being just as reliable as the other
- Yes small block Ford parts are cheaper and easier to find but how many times are you going to rebuild it?
- A SBC is closer to the weight of the 390 than the 302, so unless you really want a lightweight motor who cares
- On that note; the size of the 390 can be a pain
- 302 is 'girlie', has anyone mentioned torque for a 302 yet?
- Best drive I ever had was driving though some hills in the middle of nowhere with the 390 blasting away, I don't think a 302 could come close to that throaty exhaust note
- 302's are easy to find power steering pump and a/c compressor mounts for the junk yard scavenger
- AOD for those who can't find a good OD stick (a 302 plus)

Now why am I going with the 5.0 right now?

- The 302 would get better milage. "Having" to stop at every town for gas on a long trip gets old and eats away on that "half of fun in getting there". I want to take the truck everywhere
- My wife revolts at the idea of riding in something without an A/C and I'm too cheap to dish out for a kit
- If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with (the 390 is in another state)
- I don't have money laying around to get a good flathead

In conclusion; once you're up and running are you going to think, "Man I wish I had put that ___ in instead" as you're cruising around? Besides, when you're done with this one, get another for the other engine.

Clayton


One last note; I couldn't hit the gas until 40mph with the 390 for lack of traction so what would a 460 do anyways?