ford 360-390 engines
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: peru,il
ford 360-390 engines
Has anyone had any luck with these engines, I've never drove one but is it possible to get some power out of these? they weigh bout the same as or if not more than my 460, but just seemed outdated and before just always considered them a boat anchor, or waste of time. Always heard of better to go with the 351-400m 460, or better yet the 351c
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From: Western N.C.
Does anyone else smell blood in the water?
FEs are junk that can't get out of their own way. That's obviously why they used them in Mustangs (including Shelby and GT models), Galaxys, Thunderbirds, Thunderbolts, and Torinos. That's also why the FE was used as a NASCAR and dragstrip engine for so many years.
Beginning in '65 and ending in '76, the FE was used in trucks. It was only forced out due to emissions regulations. That's eleven years compared to the 351M/400's five ('77-'81). I wouldn't even haul a 351M in my truck for fear of disgracing the bed.
FEs are junk that can't get out of their own way. That's obviously why they used them in Mustangs (including Shelby and GT models), Galaxys, Thunderbirds, Thunderbolts, and Torinos. That's also why the FE was used as a NASCAR and dragstrip engine for so many years.
Beginning in '65 and ending in '76, the FE was used in trucks. It was only forced out due to emissions regulations. That's eleven years compared to the 351M/400's five ('77-'81). I wouldn't even haul a 351M in my truck for fear of disgracing the bed.
Posting Guru
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From: Mississippi
The 360 gets a bad rap as a gas guzzling boat anchor and it pretty much is but I have had two of them and they both ran smooth as silk and you cant kill them. The 390 was a performance engine that can make lots of power if you want it too.
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K-Untz & Company (had to hyphenate to avoid the censor) recently surpassed the 1000 horsepower mark, NATURALLY ASPIRATED.
Barry Robotnik's website Survival Motorsports Home Page
For all the Ford FE information you would ever need 332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum
Josh
Barry Robotnik's website Survival Motorsports Home Page
For all the Ford FE information you would ever need 332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum
Josh
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
Only the uninitiated still believe that, there's more aftermarket support for the FE now than ever before, they're not still around just for the sake of nostalgia they're still around because they've stood the test of time.
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Posting Guru
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my opinion which doesn't mean a hell of a lot, any v-8 can be made to make horsepower, if it's in the truck then use that engine, it's more of a hassle to switch types, trust me I know my 70 went from a FE to a 460, to a 400, and now about to get a modular motor, none of the switchs were easy
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From: Great Falls, MT
Posting Guru
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From: Mississippi
The common ways are pretty much the ones that work 
,no need to reinvent the wheel . I am no gearhead, all mine have been stock but I had friends that had 390s in 4x4s that would smoke all four tires. Headers is a good place to start, 4v and a cam, ignition, check the FE forums, they know alot more than I do
,no need to reinvent the wheel . I am no gearhead, all mine have been stock but I had friends that had 390s in 4x4s that would smoke all four tires. Headers is a good place to start, 4v and a cam, ignition, check the FE forums, they know alot more than I do
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 703
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From: Western Washington
351M vs 390's? I knew someone who had a 77 F-150 with a 351M in it and they wanted more power so a built-up 390 was stuffed in and that truck ran like a raped ape. There was no compairison between the two engines. My 76 had a 360 in it and I pulled it and dropped in a more powerfull 390. The FE engines rock!
OJ
OJ
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From: Mississippi
Has anyone had any luck with these engines, I've never drove one but is it possible to get some power out of these? they weigh bout the same as or if not more than my 460, but just seemed outdated and before just always considered them a boat anchor, or waste of time. Always heard of better to go with the 351-400m 460, or better yet the 351c
There is no bigger boat anchor than a factory 460, it was put in freight car sized Lincolns and LTDs etc. I had a 1987 F250 with one and it pulled no better than my 1979 250 with a 351m. Properly built is a different story
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From: Liberty Township OHIO
Yes the 360 is bashed and beat to death on its gas usage. But I swear to Gawd that not even my wife could kill that engine. Them dang things rank up there with the straight 6 300 on longevity. Don't get me wrong as I talk I am building a 390, much to the dismay of friends and family that think a 427 or 428 would be the way to go. I love my 360, but I want the 390 in my truck. I have been tossing around the idea of putting my 360 in my 1999 F150. I hate all the wires and hoses and EPA crap they put in late models.
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From: Big Sky Country
FE's have their fair share of quirks, read interesting, but they don't die very easily, they were built for brute low end torque and they have gobs of it (even the much maligned 360), the combinations of parts you can use from the other engines in the FE family is virtually endless, the FE has probably seen more varied uses than any other engine out there, they have been used in pumps and generators, medium duty and heavy duty trucks, performance cars, light trucks, speed boats, etc. etc. and still is one of the most respected engines in drag racing history, FE's have had low riser, medium riser, high riser, tunnel port, Hemi and SOHC cylinder head designs to cover just about any use imagineable not to mention all the FT stuff.
