Notices

360 vs 390

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 9, 2010 | 02:12 PM
  #1  
FordmanShane's Avatar
FordmanShane
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: nor cal
360 vs 390

what's the pros and cons they are both great engines, ive got a 360 right now and im just wondering if i should stay with it..
ill be doing a-lot of trails, mud drag and just strait mud with a some street..
what do you think?
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2010 | 07:00 PM
  #2  
Bear 45/70's Avatar
Bear 45/70
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
The basic rule of performance is;

"There is no replacement for displacement."

The longer stroke of the 390 means more torque and horsepower the the same set up.
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2010 | 10:58 PM
  #3  
OrangeJuice's Avatar
OrangeJuice
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 703
Likes: 3
From: Western Washington
Go with the 390, it wins hands down. I went from a 360 to a built-up 402, a 390 .060 over and never looked back.

OJ
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2010 | 01:12 PM
  #4  
FordmanShane's Avatar
FordmanShane
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: nor cal
Originally Posted by OrangeJuice
Go with the 390, it wins hands down. I went from a 360 to a built-up 402, a 390 .060 over and never looked back.

OJ
402 does sound good, any overheating issues? i went electric fan on the 360 since the shroud was missing..
what's your carb cfm? good response?
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2010 | 01:48 PM
  #5  
OrangeJuice's Avatar
OrangeJuice
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 703
Likes: 3
From: Western Washington
I don't have any overheating issues and I'm running a Derale 16'' Tornado electric fan. I'm running an Edelbrock 1411 750 CFM carb that has been rejetted and has really good throttle response. I like my set-up.

OJ
 
Reply
Old May 11, 2010 | 08:31 PM
  #6  
fordeverpower's Avatar
fordeverpower
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,934
Likes: 0
From: iowa
go 390, some people spend $1000 for a stroker and theres no need when you start with a 390. Some people crack me up with the 302 to 347 stroker, when they can use a 351w, space and weight are different stories.
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2010 | 10:32 PM
  #7  
FordmanShane's Avatar
FordmanShane
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: nor cal
good point, maybe a 390 with some good cylinder heads might be the best combo..
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2010 | 09:20 AM
  #8  
TXstroker01's Avatar
TXstroker01
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Richardson, TX
If both were sitting on the shelf for the same price, there's no reason not to choose the 390. If you're thinking of doing a build-up, then it would depend on your budget (i.e. if you just want to freshen-up your 360 and add a few bolt-ons versus starting over with a new block or swapping in crank/rods/pistons into your current 360 block). It will really depend on your goals, etc. FWIW, I currently run the 360 stocker in my '69 F-100, and it's getting a built 390 very shortly.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 14, 2010 | 01:45 PM
  #9  
Rockstone's Avatar
Rockstone
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,751
Likes: 3
From: Sin City
All things being unequal, I'd go for the 390.
 
Reply
Old May 19, 2010 | 08:49 PM
  #10  
Cyclone_416's Avatar
Cyclone_416
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Definately 390. But I guess it just depends on what your goals are, how much performance you want and can later add, and how much you want to spend. Judging from what you said your planning on doing, I think you will be a lot happier with the 390.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2010 | 12:38 AM
  #11  
FordmanShane's Avatar
FordmanShane
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: nor cal
well alright then, seems like theres a big difference that im missing out on between the 2...what's the score 0 to 6
why would ford stuff a 360 in a f250 anyway, did the 360 only have a lower torque peak??? BTW when i was tearing down the front end of my truck i seen the cylinder head casting i was surprised to see D2TE-AA heads.
I would like to port these out to 2.09 intakes and 1.65 exhaust,
after i clean these head up. if anyone has any experience on porting these please share
i dont have any candidates to practice on and i know there's a certain technique on porting i just haven't got that far yet..
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2010 | 10:09 PM
  #12  
Cyclone_416's Avatar
Cyclone_416
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
I'll bet many people have wondered why ford put the 360 in the F250's. I believe they put the 390 in some of them. My old 76 F250 2wd had a factory 4V 390. My only guess is that maybe the 360 lugged a lil better but that's probably marginal at best and just a guess.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2010 | 10:31 PM
  #13  
Bear 45/70's Avatar
Bear 45/70
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by Cyclone_416
I'll bet many people have wondered why ford put the 360 in the F250's. I believe they put the 390 in some of them. My old 76 F250 2wd had a factory 4V 390. My only guess is that maybe the 360 lugged a lil better but that's probably marginal at best and just a guess.
I've had both in the same truck and the 360 doesn't come close to the 390 in any area.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2010 | 10:39 PM
  #14  
Cyclone_416's Avatar
Cyclone_416
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Were they both stock Bear?
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2010 | 11:14 PM
  #15  
Bear 45/70's Avatar
Bear 45/70
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by Cyclone_416
Were they both stock Bear?
The 360 was stock as was the 390 was, both were also 2 barrels. The second 390 was my creation, a 9 to 1 compression 390 with 390GT heads and intake with a GT carb reworked, by me. There was a recurved dist (me again), a mild RV cam, 256° with .525" of lift at the valve and GT exhaust manifolds (a real bitch to make fit) with a 2 1/4" dual exhaust with a crossover. A 3 engines were up run in my old 1968 F250 with a C6 and 3.73 gears with stock tires. The stock 390 not only out pulled the 360 but would mpg better. My engine build would out pull the guys running 460s even. Run over the 5,000 foot mountain passes with the camper in the truck and the race boat in tow and do it in high gear. The stock 390 require 2nd gear as did the 360 but it was on the floor a lot sooner.

The numbers on the stock engines tells the whole story.

360 - 215 hp @ 4400 and 327 ft/lbs @ 2400

390 - 255 hp @ 4400 and 376 ft/lbs @ 2600

Beside the 30 extra cubic inches the horsepower and torque numbers are better.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
steve33444
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
106
Nov 30, 2020 10:37 AM
Hessmonster
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
2
Nov 28, 2016 08:32 AM
mudstepper
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
34
Jul 15, 2007 03:50 PM
YoungMT Hick
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Jun 24, 2007 06:13 AM
MBBFord
Offroad & 4x4
20
Jul 23, 2005 09:54 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:26 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE