4CYL to 390

I HAVE A 86 MUSTANG 4CYL I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD SWITCH IT TO 390 [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: JLH on 6/5/05 6:56am ]</font>

PLEASE ANYONE

You can but the headers would be custom. I have seen Fox chassis care with FE engines, so they're out there
[addsig]

460 swap would be much cheaper/easier IMHO.
FE parts are hardcore expensive.
later
Dan

The 460 is way more ideal and if you already have the 390 you shouold be able to sell it to cover a fair amount of the swap, part it out the brackets and pulley alone come with a decent price and the heads and crank, being that it is a neutral balance the crank is also used as 427 cranks same stroke, shaft rockers all of that, plus if you break the motor it is more expensive to fix, way too many parts available for the 385series motors already and usually you can find a dent motor for a few hundred.
[addsig]

I would go with a 460 too. You could probily sell the 390 and get the 460 in equal or better condition. If you have the 390 and are set on using it, yes it can be done.

Probably the biggest problem would be finding a rear sump FE oil pan and pickup as I don't think they were ever factory produced.
[addsig]

FE blocks where common in 4x4's up to 77. Meaning rear sump pans where very plentiful. FE blocks are smaller and lighter than 385 series blocks(429,460) so they fit in a fox chassis. Both 390's and 460's are expensive to build compared to a 351 that will produce 400hp. Put a small block in a fox body is a direct bolt in. I replaced the V6 in my t-bird with a 289. I got motor mounts, a manaul brake booster and manual rack for $60 from the wrecker. I used an old C4 and a set of headers from a fairlane. It was that easy.
Roger
[addsig]

Sell the 390 and score all the parts to swap in a 351W, which are as common as bad breath, and cheap to build (relatively speaking)

The extra 50 cubes make a big difference in power in a low dollar build (which this kinda sounds like) and it will mate up with most readily available transmissions.

You still need to upgrade springs, etc, but a good "TRW build" of a solid boneyard 351W core is an easy 275-325 (9.5 CR, 260 deg. cam, 650 carb, 1 5/8 headers) on the stock heads (with a tractable RV type street cam) much more with aftermarket heads and other sicko build goodies. That's the same as the 390, for less bucks and less weight.

Get a rear axle from a 5.0, and you're in business.

Good luck!