I have a question that i am not sure that the search function can answer. Been kicking around the idea of building the 390 with a stroker kit but i do wonder about the limits of the motor. Now from what i gather the 390 would have to be build up pretty extreme in order to have the capabilities that the 460 has. I know there is no replacement for displacement but i do wonder how a 390 stroked to a 470 would compare to the 460. I wonder about the stroke on the 4.375 with the side load and everything too. I am guessing that big of a mod will make it more or less a play toy and not streetable. I have had other trucks and the most they could muster was around 10 miles to the gallon so no surprise there. Want to go with some roller parts to reduce friction but breathing seems to be a hinderance in the 390. From reading it seems like the stock block is good to about 600 horse and then you are at the limits of the block. But seriously i think that much go fast would break parts everytime you stepped on the gas. Just want somewhat of a compromise of performance and reliability, sometimes those two can be achieved but only if you plan it right. Maybe someone has some insight to how these two would compare, i know the two series are apples and oranges but this is just thinking out loud.

 

Don't get me wrong I like FE's, there is nothing cooler than a 427 highriser or tunnel port. The 460 will always be the front runner because of the C.I. potential and all the good flowing heads now available for them.

 

I would highly recommend speaking with

Hank the Crank / HTC
South Gate, CA 90280
Phone: 562-861-7682

They have been around building strokers since the 1950's and have forgotten more than most will ever know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

From what I gather here, a 390 will go out to 445 with a stroker and an .030 overbore.

Starting with stock engines, the same money into the 460 is going to get more power almost every time.

The 390 weighs about 100lbs less than the 460, but that will change if you use aluminum heads etc.

 

I didn't know HTC was still in business. I thought they went under some years back ?

 

I think they are still around!

 

As always thanks guys for all the great info. Thats why i stay on this site... don't think there is another site with this much information anywhere!! Not gonna pull the trigger just yet but nothing wrong with gathering info so i don't spend all that money and be disappointed in the end. Just looking for something to smack my head on the back glass and smoke a rice burner at a stoplight when i want to act a fool. Funny how i see Ford drivers smiling when they are on the road.

 

i love FE's also, put power, money,value, and strengh the 429/460 platform is best because of the top end parts available.

 

Wow, can't believe this post is almost a year old!!! Gonna pick up a 68' 429 in my truck since i spun the bearings in the 390 and the cost to rebuild is just too much so i am going big!

 

Post the swap details! I've got a '68 F-100 that came with the 360 FE (u/g to 390GT heads, intake; various 1x4v Holleys over the years); even with iron manifolds, it was unbelievably fast (I used to outrun early-mid 1980s Mustangs & Camaros with it when I was in high school). My engine got sold out of the truck while I was away in the military (yeah, I know: I thought so, too) -- and I've since toyed with ideas of what to put under the hood. I think the FE is a work of art -- right up there with the MEL, if it's done-up right, but anything less than a 427 puts you back into 351W/stroker territory, and a 427 without at least MR heads and an aluminum intake isn't going to make enough power to overcome the economics of using a 429/460 -- and with the right top-end, the BBF looks pretty nice.