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-   -   63 390 swap into 68 f250 (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1504277-63-390-swap-into-68-f250.html)

RamblinMan1963 08-20-2017 06:40 PM

63 390 swap into 68 f250
 
Hello,
I was given a 390 that was pulled out of a 1963 ford thunderbird, and I want to drop it in my '68 ford f250. It was rebuilt within the last ten years but has sat outside for some time so Im gonna have it gone through. I also hope it will bolt up to my trucks later built t18 4 speed transmission. Thoughts, advice, and technical input are appreciated as this is my first time removing and dropping in a new engine and all that it entails. Thanks!

fe390pc 08-21-2017 09:53 AM

The only issue is how the motor mounts attach to the block. I know on our vintage trucks that there are four bosses and that the two towards the front are used. I believe on the older blocks only the two towards the rear are tapped and used. There may be some others that have run into this and they will chime in.

KULTULZ 08-21-2017 10:02 AM


Another change to watch out for is the engine mount bolt holes on pre-1965 “FE” blocks. Blocks before 1965 had two-bolt engine mounts while those from 1965 and later had three-bolt engine mounts. This isn’t a problem if you plan on using a 1965 and later block in a pre-1965 vehicle.

Problems abound when using a pre-1965 block in a post-1965 vehicle because some machining and drilling are required. If you find a block with four engine mount attachment holes on each side, you’ve found an “FT” block for trucks.
SOURCE- FE INFO

NumberDummy 08-21-2017 01:07 PM


Originally Posted by RamblinMan1963 (Post 17410162)
Hello,
I was given a 390 that was pulled out of a 1963 Ford Thunderbird, and I want to drop it in my '68 ford f250. It was rebuilt within the last ten years but has sat outside for some time so Im gonna have it gone through. I also hope it will bolt up to my trucks NP435 4 speed transmission. Thoughts, advice, and technical input are appreciated as this is my first time removing and dropping in a new engine and all that it entails. Thanks!

1958/64 FE engines were only installed in cars, have rounded valve covers without holes for oil cap/smog valve (introduced 1961). Have an engine oil fill tube at the right front.

The bolt pattern on the block where the steel/rubber insulators bolt to is different than 1965/76 FE engines.

1958/65 and some 1966 FE's have a 2 1/2" O.D. thermostat. Some 1966's, 1967/76 FE's have a 2 1/4" O.D. thermostat.

1961/64: The smog valve (if present), threads into the front of the intake manifold.

1959/63 FE's use a specific water pump that was not used in 1964. 1965/76 FE's use a different water pump.

Alternator introduced in 1963 Thunderbirds, everything else in 1965.

btw: Make sure this engine is a 390 from a Thunderbird (only engine available in 1961/65 T-Birds). If it came from a Galaxie, it could be a 352 or 390 or who knows what...

kenny nunez 08-21-2017 02:44 PM

390
 
The only other thing to look at is the hole in the right front of the block for the alternator 7/16th bolt. I once had to weld a 7/16th nut to a piece of steel to mount the alternator. Good luck.

KULTULZ 08-22-2017 07:18 PM


Originally Posted by kenny nunez (Post 17412411)

The only other thing to look at is the hole in the right front of the block for the alternator 7/16th bolt. I once had to weld a 7/16th nut to a piece of steel to mount the alternator. Good luck.

GOOD POINT! :-X22

Forgot about that. There was once a fancy adapter for that. See if I can find it again.

...I'll Be Back...

fe390pc 08-22-2017 07:24 PM

Ramblin, can you post some pictures of the 63 390? This would clear up a lot of questions and possibly help with giving you more accurate info. Take pics of both sides of the block and the front of both heads.

KULTULZ 08-23-2017 12:32 PM

2 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by kenny nunez View Post

The only other thing to look at is the hole in the right front of the block for the alternator 7/16th bolt. I once had to weld a 7/16th nut to a piece of steel to mount the alternator. Good luck.

Originally Posted by KULTULZ (Post 17415282)


GOOD POINT!


:-X22

Forgot about that. There was once a fancy adapter for that. See if I can find it again.

...I'll Be Back...

I'M BACK! :-blah

The 1st photo shows a complate kit, the 2nd just the needed adapter if wanting to use OEM mounting (low or high mount).

RamblinMan1963 08-26-2017 06:13 PM

Ok I made a mistake, the head numbers are C1AE-6090A. I didnt get a picture of it but this engine does use that brass thing ontop where the water pump is. Here are some pictures with the 4brrl intake r
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...700fd6a841.jpg
emoved.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...01e62de765.jpg

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...b71e6a9dc4.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...4fb46d5d49.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...7772ac18a1.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...8ed27a8651.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...453fc9ed89.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...2c77a0bdc6.jpg

RamblinMan1963 10-15-2017 05:26 PM


Originally Posted by fe390pc (Post 17415295)
Ramblin, can you post some pictures of the 63 390? This would clear up a lot of questions and possibly help with giving you more accurate info. Take pics of both sides of the block and the front of both heads.


i posted some pics, i can see how the motor mounts are different. It already has an alternator on it. I got the stuck dizzy out so im flushing the block and then im gonna put her together. I really want this engine, i can post more pics of the insides, the pistons and everything are new and pretty

RamblinMan1963 10-15-2017 05:40 PM


Originally Posted by fe390pc (Post 17415295)
Ramblin, can you post some pictures of the 63 390? This would clear up a lot of questions and possibly help with giving you more accurate info. Take pics of both sides of the block and the front of both heads.


Originally Posted by NumberDummy (Post 17412206)
1958/64 FE engines were only installed in cars, have rounded valve covers without holes for oil cap/smog valve (introduced 1961). Have an engine oil fill tube at the right front.

The bolt pattern on the block where the steel/rubber insulators bolt to is different than 1965/76 FE engines.

1958/65 and some 1966 FE's have a 2 1/2" O.D. thermostat. Some 1966's, 1967/76 FE's have a 2 1/4" O.D. thermostat.

1961/64: The smog valve (if present), threads into the front of the intake manifold.

1959/63 FE's use a specific water pump that was not used in 1964. 1965/76 FE's use a different water pump.

Alternator introduced in 1963 Thunderbirds, everything else in 1965.

btw: Make sure this engine is a 390 from a Thunderbird (only engine available in 1961/65 T-Birds). If it came from a Galaxie, it could be a 352 or 390 or who knows what...

It uses that weird looking water pump with the brass tank looking thing.

RamblinMan1963 10-15-2017 05:41 PM

Also minor detail but my transmission is not a new process 435 but a borg worner.

fe390pc 10-15-2017 06:59 PM

Could be a T18 or 19 but not an issue. Take a good look at your block and this block. See if the mounts are going to work. The other option is to find out if both blocks have the same bore size, if so swap the inards from the 390 into the 360 and you will be good to go.

RamblinMan1963 10-15-2017 07:10 PM


Originally Posted by fe390pc (Post 17527919)
Could be a T18 or 19 but not an issue. Take a good look at your block and this block. See if the mounts are going to work. The other option is to find out if both blocks have the same bore size, if so swap the inards from the 390 into the 360 and you will be good to go.

no it definitely uses the two bolt motor mount set up instead of the post 65 four bolt. Could i just get motormounts for a 63 tbird or truck?

fe390pc 10-15-2017 07:34 PM

I think it ends up being in the wrong location. I have seen home made adapters made out of 1/4" steel plates to install the truck and new mounts to the older blocks. It will raise the motor slightly but may be your only option.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...13110d5896.jpg
Like this.


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