hey i am looking to drop an fe into my wifes car. looking for which blocks i will be able to convert into a 390 or 410 with minimal effort. the engine will be getting a lighter top end proll all edelbrock to keep it uniform for fitment *assuming that is correct* since smooth air is productive air.

i know that fe's are thin wall casting and only used as much metal as needed for thier bore size so i can't just pick up any block and expect to machine it out to a 390 just cuz it is an fe right?

so my question is which standard bores will make a 390 or a 410 usually with out having to sonic check and all of that. other than a standard 360 410 or 428 *turning a 428 into a 390 would be dumb*

this engine will be going into a 1948 chrysler windsor. it will be a daily driver / fun car not race or hot rod persay. just wanna give the wifey some thing reliable and gas pedal friendly. and i deffinetly don't wanna go the sbc rout. Especially since the edlebrock stuff will take what 100 pounds off the weight making the fe wigh pretty close to a small block any way .

also has any one slaped a c4 on to an fe and how did that work you. did your fe eat it or did it withstand?

to balance out the weight i will be trying to put a c4 *if practical* behind the engine and a dana 60 or mabey 70 with a gearing of about 3.5 in the rear. that gear should let it jump foreward and give a little weight extra over a ford 9 help keep the tires gripping also looking into a 1 inch lift up front and one inch drop in back.

these are all ruff *very* ruff ideas i am putting out there to be debated
and as always i / we will be doing this for fun and our enjoyment so please no comments about not being worth the money or time since we have the clock and the wallet on this

thanks
carpenter

ps. any links to performance boosting of 390's would be great but i am searching forum for them on my own too.

 

Same bore size for 360, 390, 410. Stroke is the difference. 428 crank in a 390 makes a 410. 390 crank in a 360 makes 390.

 

i know that 360 390 410 were all the same bore and i belive the 428 was the same bore too. i was just curious as to what fe could be punched out to be a 390 so that i could include them into my engine search too. if none others existed then i would just keep looking for the "plentiful" 360's and 390's in the junk yards

basically the question is which blocks can be bored and stroked out to make a 390 safely. if it is none then that is fine i will just find a 360 - 410 block

 

A 352 with an .050 overbore and 390 crank will get you to a 390 also. If 360 and 390 blocks are plentiful, why do you want to bore something? A 428 is not the same bore as the 360-390-410.

 

yeah i was off on my memory of what bore were what.

and i am looking for a back up incase i can't find a good 390 candidate locally. i seen some fe's in the bone yard but don't know thier stroke and bore yet hopefully it will be 390 candidate. but i would bore and stroke if the price to do is less than ordering a new block or used over the net.

i like to keep all my options open just incase the best ones don't pan out.
kinda like being nice to the fat ugly broads at the bar

 

Any factory installed FE in a F series pickup from 68-76 will have the 360/390 bore.




John

 

good to know thanks that is actually where the fe's i saw were located

so that is one problem down.

now has any one hooked an fe up to a c4 tranny and how did it hold up?

 

$450 gets you a bell:

Performance Automatics Bellhousing #26577

If you are talking a stock C4 from the scrappy, it won't last long.

A built C4 is over $1000, maybe less if you find a local builder who knows the tricks.

TCI Auto: C4 StreetFighter® Transmission 70-82 Case-Fill

If you are just going to cob this up from stock parts from the scrappy, use a C6.

 

Not to step on 85, Ford never installed a C4 behind a FE. You can adapt one as he stated at a price. The bullet proof C6 was used, and quite well I might add. IMHO




John

 

Why would you want to put a Ford FE in a Chrysler Windsor?

Why not a Chrysler 410, or even a 440? I mean I love my Ford FE but that's a weird idea

 

I agree with Darkwolf40, Keep a ford a ford and put Chrysler in your Chrysler, the c6 tranny is a no brainer behind your Fe if your going the automatic route.

 

A. because 410 and 440 are more expensive to build.
B. because other than performance parts they are more scarce.
C. the drink the fire water like the local idians on pay day.

Thanks for your replies i will prolly be using a 390 qjet mabey dual don't know proly single carb. edlebrock or equivalant "lighter" heads and manifold. headers and a c6.

in closing reason.
fe offers 420 some odd ft/lbs or torque on 87 octane mid grade tops. nothing looks or sounds like an fe. and no a single person at any car shows we have been do has bothered to restore one of these cars let alone pop a big block fe in them. and i would take an fe *especially when lightened to 350 weight* over the 350 350 combo. value is not an issue in this car it will be a keeper/ daily driver till she loses her license.

and how many people do you know who have a wife willing to put in the wrench time to build thier own dream car? so if she likes the fe then by god i am not gonna burst that bubble

as far as things i think being wierd just ask any one i am mad as a hatter

 

WOW if your wife helps you put in wrench time, you are super lucky and blessed to have her, DOES SHE HAVE A SISTER??????

 

lol nope no sisters broke the mold with her