Fellow ford fans:
My dad has had an old 77 F250 with a 360 and a 4sp since new. He has had the crank trued, and the engine blue printed. He also said that it has 390 cylinders on it...Is this true? would this type of modification work?
He said that he now has a 390 small block thats bored .030 over with aluminum pistons..Is he telling the truth about the 390 cylinders fitting on a 360 block? I was under the impression that a 390 was a big block

 

360s and 390s share the same block. 390s have a larger cylinder bore, but a 360 can be over bored to 390 specs. Also, the heads can be swapped between the two. They are both concidered big blocks. As for a 390 ci small block, a 351w can be bored and stroked to produce over 390, and even 400+ cubic inches. 351w and 360/390 blocks are worlds different, though, and share NO common ground. I hope this explains things a little better for you.

Nathan

 

Nathan doesn't know what he's talking about!

The truth is that the 390 has exactly the same block as a 360, Including the SAME BORE. The difference between a 360 and a 390 is that the 390 has a longer stroke (different crankshaft), and slightly longer rods. 360 & 390 pistons also have a different pin height. what your dad has is a 360 bigblock bored .030 over.

It would be a good Idea to actually know what your talking about when you respond to this type of post Nathan! Misinformation like this could cost somebody alot of money.


John
Jefferson City, MO
1976 F150 Ranger XLT-- it has real 390

 

KInda strange though, because 360's and 390's never came from the factory in anything in 1977

 

Inside the drivers door it says 76 so i was assuming that was the manufactoring date? Maybe it's a 76

 

Sorry for being human, John. At least I try to help without bashing others for doing the same!! Be nice, there is probably a few things I know that you dont! We try to help people here as much as we can (at least I do) and if my info is not 100% correct, than please correct me, NICELY! I dont know everything! Never claimed to! I learn things here too! I dont need the attitue, pal!

KMA!
Nathan

 

if it was built in 1976, then 360/390 would be possible.

 

it's nice to try to help people nathan, Thats what I'm also trying to do. but when you try to help someone by giving them information that you are unsure of, or don't know about, YOU ARE NOT helping.

 

CM, Looks like most of the request has been answered cept one thing, and I'm going to have to beleive that you dad like Nate, wasn't sure of his wording. The truth is, it aint no small block. All the "Ford Edsels" FEs are Big Blocks.

John
jowilker

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.

 

FE is NOT "Ford Edsel" it's "Ford Engine" . This is staight from a book that has immense amounts of data straight from ford about all small and big blocks from 60's to 70's and their interchangeable parts. cars and trucks. It specifically says that "FE" IS NOT "Ford Edsel" or "Ford Engineering".

I've seen this alot at this site. Just wanted to clarify.

 

blue, that just don't hold water, they ALL are Ford Engines FEs are Ford Edsels just like W is for Windsor :-)

John
jowilker

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.

 

FYI in early 77 you could get a ford pickup with the FE Block complete with Duraspark ignition.

 

actually with that set up you are runnin in the neighborhood of 365ci...I'm sure that FE is actually Ford Edsel it says it in way to much literature to not be correct.
i need to ask the question though....i consider the FE more of a medium block..cause..its smaller than a 385 big block...bigger than a smallblock.....heavy like a big block.....has a 332 ci...no other big blocks go that small.....
so what does everybody think?

 

390, I never was able to get a full grip in the block thing. Surely your thoughts make scense, but the engines that you reffer to came after the FE. I know if you look at a 352 FE, and a 351 W there is a real difference in the distance between the valve covers. The FE is a 90 degree engine, I'm not sure about the small blocks.

It's enough to keep a body confused. I think that the small blocks can turn higher rpms as well. The big blocks made more low end torque.

John
jowilker

66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night, you can hear chevys rusting away.

 

Isnt the FE technically a Y-block? I always call it an FE block, cause you call it a big block someone will try to you its not a big block, but cant tell you what it is, But then again if you think about it, FE is a name...we dont call the 351c a cleveland block, we call it a small block, So hehe what ya gonna do?