360...or 390...
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
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360...or 390...
Allright....update on my 360....I ordered the rebuilt heads from the place in N.C. and they are on their way....so then the other day I found someone selling a 390 in a 1979 4x4...Here's my ???? Did the 79' have the 390's and is it compatible with my 72' F250 with 360? I figure if it is, then I'll get the 360 running again, and rebuild the 390....what do you guys think?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
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From: Brea CA
360...or 390...
Well, the 4x4's never ever came with a 390 and the 360/390 engines were dropped in '77. The 351M/400 was the replacement displacement.
I would check to make sure that engine is really a 390, only way to prove it is to measure the stroke.
Barry
I would check to make sure that engine is really a 390, only way to prove it is to measure the stroke.
Barry
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 375
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360...or 390...
I tried to measure my FE motor.........I took out the spark plugs and inserted a wooden dowel into the plug hole, which is angled of course.........I carefully rotated the crank and made several measurements..........and I come up with 3 inches.....so what ....do I have the ultra rare destroked 320CI FE 
It seems to me that it would be difficult to acuratley measure without pulling a head......what is there like a 1/4" difference between a 390/360....
It seems to me that it would be difficult to acuratley measure without pulling a head......what is there like a 1/4" difference between a 390/360....
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
360...or 390...
Yeah it does take a little practice.
Try removing the #1 and #4 plugs. Rotate the engine to TDC and insert your stick or wire into #1. Make a mark on the stick with reference to the top of the hole. Now insert the stick into #4 and mark the stick with reference to that hole. The distance between the marks is the stroke.
When inserting the stick, eyeball it's alignment so it is parallel with the cylinder bore, that's were the inaccuracy’s occur.
Barry
Try removing the #1 and #4 plugs. Rotate the engine to TDC and insert your stick or wire into #1. Make a mark on the stick with reference to the top of the hole. Now insert the stick into #4 and mark the stick with reference to that hole. The distance between the marks is the stroke.
When inserting the stick, eyeball it's alignment so it is parallel with the cylinder bore, that's were the inaccuracy’s occur.
Barry
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
360...or 390...
Z, I tried the wooden stick thingie too, and found that a 14 ga. white house wire about 8" long worked a lot better. I bent it slightly and kept one finger on top to ensure it stayed on the piston. 
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Freshman User
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360...or 390...
Well....the guy want's $450 for the engine....it has everything on it, but is on a pallet in his garage....If it is a 390...do you think this is a good deal, or should I start from scratch....like a rebuilt block....Also, if I do rebuild a 390...is the edelbrock intake on my 360 interchangable to the 390?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
360...or 390...
$450 seems a little pricey for an engine of unknown condition sitting on a pallet in a garage, IMHO, but the manifold will work on it.
I have a running 390 in my garage, sitting on the frame I am preping for a 69 body, and for $450 USA dollars it is so sold
I have a running 390 in my garage, sitting on the frame I am preping for a 69 body, and for $450 USA dollars it is so sold
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Freshman User
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360...or 390...
Thanks sparky...I thought it was a bit high....I do want to eventually find a 390.....so if some on the parts from the 360 will change over then the better off I will be....
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
360...or 390...
Chris, We don't know what has taken place between you and the seller, or what you have talked about. A 360 or 390 in good shape is worth $450.00. You might try offering the guy $250.00 for the engine, install it, run compression and leak down tests, and run it for 2 weeks. If it isn't knocking, or blowing smoke, give him the other $200.00. You will have $12-1600.00 min. in a rebuild.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 851
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From: Elizabeth City, NC
360...or 390...
Barry, Buzzard, Dennis, anybody who is good with engines,
If he is rebuilding a 360 isn't it very easy to turn it into a 390 while he is in there? I'm thinking a 390 crank might do the trick.
If he is rebuilding a 360 isn't it very easy to turn it into a 390 while he is in there? I'm thinking a 390 crank might do the trick.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
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From: All over Texas
360...or 390...
I agree that the '79's engine is probably not a 390, but you never know. If it isn't a 390 you definitely won't be able to use it in your truck without significant modifications. Regardless, $450 is high for an engine of unknown condition...unless it is a 406, 410, 427 or 428, especially if all you really need is the crank and rods to go into your 360 rebuild.
Russell has a good point. Just find a 390 crank and rods and turn your 360 into a 390. I found 390 shortblocks in wrecking yards for $50 and several local machine shops had some available too (I think for ~$150 complete).
Russell has a good point. Just find a 390 crank and rods and turn your 360 into a 390. I found 390 shortblocks in wrecking yards for $50 and several local machine shops had some available too (I think for ~$150 complete).