New guy here... I bought a 72 f100 from a guy that said it had the 390 replaced with another. But how do you check that out for sure? The reason I'm wondering is because there's a "352" stamped on the front of the block. Any suggestions? I hear the blocks are all the same for these motors.

 

there is no visual difference in those motors. all "FE" series engines have 352 cast into the blocks. you could measure the stroke, but the 352 and the 360 have the same stroke (3.50 inches) the 390 has 3.786. (figures from "ford performance" by pat ganahl) all are great engines so whatever it is you have, you got a good motor.

 

Welcome to FTE

On sale day, 352/360 engines magically become 390's.

If the seller claimed the truck originally came with a 390 from the factory, there's one fool proof method to tell if that's correct...or not.

The engine code is the 4th digit of the VIN.

1972 F100 2WD available engines: A = 240 I-6 / B = 300 I-6 / G = 302 2V / H = 390 2V / Y = 360 2V.

302 and 390 engines were not installed in 4WD's.

Since all FE engines look identical, there is no way to tell by looking at them to tell one size from another.

Casting numbers on FE engine blocks are worthless for ID'ing the engine sizes, as the casting number is only related to the size the bare block was first cast as, which was 352 cid in most cases.

This why many FE engines have the 352 foundry mark cast into the blocks. Only after the blocks had seasoned...then were assembled, could they be other sizes.

360/390 engines share the same bore (4.05"), the stroke is different: 360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78"

352's (not installed after 1967) share the 360's stroke, the bore is 4.00"

 

dude relax i know what is going through your head. most of the time people are relativaly honest about the stats for the truck. the actual years the motor size what has been done to it. most inacuracies come from misunder standing the facts. yes a few people lie and you get boned in the end it happens and some people intentionally try to rip you off by making an old truck like these look different. a fair amount of truck tweaks here in california involve taking 72 f 100's with 360's and rebadging them as 71 150 100 or 250 to get away from smog. or adding a bump to a dentside bed to replace yours. but if your motor runs right and has the power you want then don't sweat it love the truck

 

Currently, there are no smog tests performed on vehicles in CA that were manufactured prior to 1976.

There were no F150's until 1975.

Since the VIN includes the truck's series code, engine code, and serial number, how can replacing badges fool the CA DMV or Smog Test Shops since they have info on computers that decodes this jazz?

When vehicles are smog tested, the shops go by the VIN, not by what is says on a fender, quarter panel or wherever.

Most sellers not familiar with the myriad engine sizes offered in Ford trucks, have never heard of a 352 or 360 engine.

So...they list the truck as a 390, because they assume (or someone told them) that's what the engine size is.

Several have posted here on FTE that they were told they have a DODGE (360) truck engine in their Ford truck.

 

Good morning bill, You are the ford expert hear and I bet you can clear something up for me. I'm one of the old guys and I thought ford made an FE that was 332 in. I told some young guys that and they said I was dreaming. So, was I dreaming or was there a 332 ? My memory is a little off sometimes L.O.L. thanks Jim

 

to your question of me number it is very simple you take any car you want we will use these fords now where i live in southern california they tend to make you smog test alot. i don't claim to be an expert on what years are smoged every time but it is not unheard of to have a 72 get smog checked.

any way this part is true
step one move truck to mexico. regester in mex. change vinplates. or remove. order blank plates restamp. go to junk yard buy new emblems or just remove emblems. bring back into cali as an import.
it works.

 

Jim, You are not dreaming the FE 332 was one of the first engines introduced in 1958 in the FE series program and one of the shortest lived.

My guess there are many that haven't heard of it. You might find this WIKI interesting to read, Ford FE engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Can't verify all their facts but it has some insite.




John

 

Thanks John for backing me up. I thought I could remember my brother having a 58 with that in it ,because we were comparing the difference in it and my 56 fairlane with a 292 y block. Now I can tell those kids that were not even on ther daddys mind let alone being born, that it was not an old mans dream L.O.L. I believe it was 332 in 57-58-59- and 352 in 60 ?

 

Three FE engines were introduced in 1958: 332, 352 and the 361.

332: 1958/59 Ford Passenger Cars, 1959 Edsel.

352: 1958/67 Ford Passenger Cars, 1960 Edsel, 1965/67 F100/350's.

The 361 was the Edsel version, it was only used in 1958.

Because of poor Edsel sales (car salesmen called them Dead-Sells), the engine was dropped after the 1958 model run.

Ford expected to sell 200,000 Edsels in 1958. But, because of the Eisenhower Recession and the cars styling (ppl said it looked like an Oldsmobile sucking a lemon), only 63,110 were sold.

Only a total of 110,847 1958/60 Edsels were sold, before it was cancelled November 16, 1959.

 

I don't know where you get this info. NO smog checks required '75 and older. Years ago,yes. Now, no

Do I Need a Smog Check

As for your "take it to Mexico" idea, sure, and have it impounded when your fraud is discovered. What you are describing is a criminal offense, and avoiding a smog check would be a really STUPID reason to risk jail and a record. Better yet, have the Mexican federal cops find you doing it, and end up in a Mexican jail.

 

Thanks everyone, good information here. I'm definitely satisfied with the power from the motor, I just thought it would be a good idea to know the size in case I needed that information in the future if i need to work on it. Are the parts all interchangable.. water pump, alternator, starter, etc...?

And the main reason I wanted this truck, aside from the nostalgia... is that it is indeed smog exempt in California. I hate having to worry about smog. However the guy I bought it from didn't enclose the $500 worth of back registration fees even though i asked! I don't know how some people can live with themselves... Live and learn!

 

Tyler - I believe you got good answers to your 352/390 question. All of the FE engines are great and especially in a Ford truck.
Since I live in CA can you give a few details of how you were charged $500 in fees at DMV$!#& I have heard of these riduculous fees and wonder what sets them off. Thanks - Bob

 

Bob, I've got lots of information about it, but it's in DMV lingo, so here's a list of the bulk of the charges for you to decipher:

1- curr RF.. $31
2-Curr CHP..$22
3-Curr WF..$80
4-Curr VLF..$5
5-1PY RF...$31
6-1PY WF..$80
7-Transfer.$15
8-Use Tax.$74
9-Dup O/C.$18
10-Curr Reg Pen..$30
11-CHP Pen..$30
12-Curr WF Pen.$48
13-1PY RF Pen.$50
14-1PY WF Pen.$64

...and some other random $1-$10 charges that I didn't list, which came to a grand total of $499 worth of back fees, plus $115 worth of current charges which will make California $614 richer. Basically, the guy didn't register the vehicle since 2008, so if you are planning on not driving a vehicle for a while, make sure you get it Non-Op'd because those fees rack up quick.

 

Tyler - Thanks for taking the time for the breakdown of the DMV charges. Still seems excessive for a registration only 1 year late! Well that is behind you. Your story should alert a lot of CA folks what to look for when they buy a used vehicle in this desperate for money state of CA. At least at this point you can pass each Smog station and give them the finger because you will not need them for your 72. In a couple of years you will have saved this much money in not having to smog it. That is exactly why I bought a 67 F250. Good luck with your truck - Bob