Which should I go with? I have both engines and transmissions my heart says 390 my wallet says 302!

 

I vote for the FE family, anybody can run a 302 (no offense to any 302 fans). You just don't see as many FE's now and I like to see them out there. Bottom line? I'm glad you're only talking Ford and would be happy with either choice.

 

Personally I'd go with the 302. Smaller, lighter, newer technology, more reliable, puts out ~ the same power, much more aftermarket support, tranny choices. I'm of the "what works best, makes the most sense" school, rather than nostalgia school. To me that's what hot rodding is all about, upgrading and improving, otherwise might as well use whatever was in it to begin with. If I want to see antiques, I visit a museum. I'd use an EFI engine if I could get one at the right price.

 

With me either one could be good depending on what is cheapest, best condition and available. In the trucks I like going with the 351W, but there again it depends on what you can get and what you can afford. The 351W fits in about any place the 302 will and bolts up the same way. There were a lot of then used in trucks and usually have a beefier tranny with then if you find a donor vehicle. They have more displacement and better low end torque than the 302's. I like the 302's in cars but not in trucks. The 351's have been in the F-series from early 80's with carbs and on up through the 90's with multi-port fuel injection. I had an '89 F-350 crew cab long bed and it was no dog. It was heavy and I towed a cabin cruiser with it.

If I were you I would seriously look for a 351. They are relatively plentiful and in my experience have usually been in better shape than the 302's you find nowadays. But that's just my opinion... I'm with the other guy on the staying Ford thing.

Later Man...

 

Here's a link that has some prior discussion on engine choices, plusses and minuses as well.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...y-do-i-go.html

I have a 390 in my 51 F1 and I love it. But, the mileage is lousy (I'm actually up to about 14mpg). Certain parts are getting hard to find if you don't have them (water pump heater nipples etc) and the engine mounting system you are going to have to use with the 390 will eat up a lot of room and restrict your ability to use other systems (IFS is a real study with the 390 motor mounting and so is exhaust).

The 302 has lots of parts available, is strong and dependable, economical, and the installation is quite a bit more "accomodating."

Outside impacts are also a concern....what transmission are you going to put behind each motor. You are going to have to put something very strong behind that FE. The C6 seams to be a favorite. I have that as well and again, the installation - space wise - is a bit of a challange. A 390 C6 combination is abotu 250 pounds heavier than a 302 C4. So suspension impact is a thought. The 302 with a C4 or AOD is a nice combination - or a 3 or 4 spd as well.

One last thing. When I have 1000 pounbds of concrete in bags in my F1 withthe 390, and I hit a hill, yes the gas gauge moves toward empty, but I can still accellerate up that hill and maintain 65 or 70. The power and driving pleasure are really great!

I've never had a 302 in a truck - had a 289 in my 55 with a 3spd overdrive and it was a wonderful drive train - reliable, great on gas, and fun to drive (if you drive like a sane person) and easy to work on.

The 390 I have in the 51 F1 is reliable, easy to work on, and just plain "hot as ****"

If I had to do another truck all over again ("if?") I'm with Dave - I would also go with the 351W. It's a great "middle man" between the two you have and parts are very plentiful.

Up to you

 

Here's a link that has some prior discussion on engine choices, plusses and minuses as well.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/807758-which-way-do-i-go.html

I have a 390 in my 51 F1 and I love it. But, the mileage is lousy (I'm actually up to about 14mpg). Certain parts are getting hard to find if you don't have them (water pump heater nipples etc) and the engine mounting system you are going to have to use with the 390 will eat up a lot of room and restrict your ability to use other systems (IFS is a real study with the 390 motor mounting and so is exhaust).

The 302 has lots of parts available, is strong and dependable, economical, and the installation is quite a bit more "accomodating."

Outside impacts are also a concern....what transmission are you going to put behind each motor. You are going to have to put something very strong behind that FE. The C6 seams to be a favorite. I have that as well and again, the installation - space wise - is a bit of a challange. A 390 C6 combination is abotu 250 pounds heavier than a 302 C4. So suspension impact is a thought. The 302 with a C4 or AOD is a nice combination - or a 3 or 4 spd as well.

One last thing. When I have 1000 pounbds of concrete in bags in my F1 withthe 390, and I hit a hill, yes the gas gauge moves toward empty, but I can still accellerate up that hill and maintain 65 or 70. The power and driving pleasure are really great!

I've never had a 302 in a truck - had a 289 in my 55 with a 3spd overdrive and it was a wonderful drive train - reliable, great on gas, and fun to drive (if you drive like a sane person) and easy to work on.

The 390 I have in the 51 F1 is reliable, easy to work on, and just plain "hot as ****"

If I had to do another truck all over again ("if?") I would also go with the 351W. It's a great "middle man" between the two you have and parts are very plentiful.

Up to you

 

1000 pounds of concrete in bags... you don't make custom shoes for people do you Julie? If so, remind me not to make y'all mad ;^)>

 

Tee hee, no but I'll keep it in mind.

Saturday Country Math:

1 acre horse turn out = 22 fence posts= 11- 90 pound bags of concrete. Truck actually rode quite a bit smoother loaded up!

 

The 351w is a great engine,but I dont have one of those in my garage right now. What I do have is a 302 and a 390. Parts for the 390 are just so much more expensive! The 390 has always been "the plan".

 

And make sure you can get them all before you start ANYTHING!

 

tough choice.

If I had to go out and buy an engine one I'd go 302, because you have the 390 there that would be my choice. but what exactly does it need? lot's of 360/352 around to get used parts . The 390 I had was a torque monster, in the low rpm range and would spin up to 5500. I was doing well past the stop with 4.11's and OD. But man, I swear the fuel gauge was inversely attached to the speedo/tach.....If I dove like an old man with 4.11's 30"tires and the OD I was pulling 15mph and that was city or highway.

How much time/money do you have for the project? easier cheaper - 302 no doubt.

bob

bob

 

Both engines are in boxes completely apart. So its the same amount of work. The only thing that would be cheaper on the 390 is the heads. I can have the heads done on the 390 the 302 came out of a country squire wagon and are not worth the effort because of the small cc.

 

Tell you what, I don't know anyone that builds a truck thinking a whole heck of a lot about the fuel economy they are going to come out with. If what you want is functionality, power, versatility and dependability go with the 390. I have a 76 F250 Highboy with a 390 punched out either 10 or 20 over, the guy i bought it from couldnt remember. I have tons of luck with the 390 and really love the truck.

 

oh ya, and unless youre thinkin mallory distributors and whatnot, maybe a little more money than the 302 for parts but still pretty cheap considering whats out there today.

 

im running a 390 in my 56 !!! and i am happy. its fast and fierious.homemade motor mounts and it wasnt too difficult . just fun.