390 engines

Ive been doing some reading about the FE engines and how the 390 is viewed. Its starting to look like to me that the 390 is like a bastard stepchild engine[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]. I did a little looking and found that it isn't even in alot of product lines in some of the major performance suppliers. The only reason I ever took the 390 seriously was because the father of a friend of mine built one for his 67 Fairlane back in 1987 and it was a tourqey and powerfull monster, or so I remember [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]. I want a powerfull street engine that I will fear and respect and will most likely do occasional racing for fun, so it needs to be dependable and strong. Give it to me straight guys. Should I have done this research before I bought this car? Did I make a mistake?
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I can't give you a real educated answer but they are more expensive to build up or so I've heard and the reasoning so many give for the 460 swap. Cheaper to build a 460 blah blah blah. But I don't see 390s as being all that bad and were in a lot of vehicles in it's day including trucks. The few I've personally been associated with, strictly stock, have taken a lot of punishment before they died. Never really researched them myself though. I just have always had them in my car and I will be one that will stand by my 390s and forget the 460. If for no other reason than that everyone else is going 460 and I will be different. Of course I'm not looking for speed etc. either. But it's just a thing I have, classic car, classic engine. Although it would be nice to afford etc a nice new 5.4 Triton for better mileage possibly and more power. Not sure what that would do in a land yahct though.[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] I don't know if I could handle the change in my 'baby' but sure could in another '64. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
I'm sure someone will give you a much better answer than I have. But the only complaint if you will, that I've heard about 390s from others is the cost of building them up which is more costly than a 460.

Deb --> Who is the head 390 cheerleader around here probably. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

While the FE has been out of production since '76-'77, there are still "NEW" performance parts out there. Yes the 429/460 is a great power maker, but if you already have the 390 use it. Edelbrock makes a couple of different sets of aluminum heads and intakes, as does Blue Thunder. Headers are available from FPA, Hooker, Sanderson. Most cam companies (Crane, Comp, Crower, etc) all offer roller cams for the FE. There are also roller rockers for the FE available too.

I love big block Fords, both FE and the 429/460. Yes the 429/460 is a bit cheaper to build, but you have weigh the cost of the donor motor and trans plud the swap components.

It is really up to you, and I am not trying to discourage the a 429/460 build, just look around a bit before writing off the old FE.......

Waiving my FE flag.....

Jim[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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Here's my take on this. I am a fan of the FE because it's different and it has some cool racing history from the '60s. Plus it's what came in my '65 galaxie and I like the idea of staying with the basic engine that it came with. Dollar for dollar you can get more power from a 460 because it starts out larger and used aftermarket parts are easier to find, making it a little cheaper to build.

That said, there's nothing inherently weak about the 390, the heads flow better than many stock small block and ch*vy heads, the bottom end is very strong up to 500 hp or more and you can get modern stoker cranks, aluminum heads, intakes, distributors, valvetrain parts, etc off the shelf.

Any performance engine is expensive to build, if you get the full custom machine shop work done.

A 390 with edelbrock heads/RPM intake and a healthy cam will make more than 400 hp if put together right. If you want to learn more about FE engines visit the FE forum at www.fordfe.com

Well actually you don't even need the Edelbrock heads to make the 400 horsepower that you are seeking. What is your goal with this engine? Reliability and horsepower? A 390 is the perfect answer, but you will have to match your parts perfectly. I myself am a 65 Galaxie owner and I wouldn't run anything else but an FE in it. The 460 does have better parts availibility and makes more HP dollar for dollar, but the 50 HP( or whatever) that you gain is negated by the fact that a 429/460 weights 150 lbs more than a 390 does. I love all Fords, but there is a lot of FE bashing going on right now. How many NHRA and IHRA records does the 460 hold? How many does an FE hold? I think the results will surprise you. Too my knowledge and by the record book, the 460 holds no Stock or Super Stock class records. Our Street/Strip engines normally would fall into those two classes. Just my observation, but alot of people will match a great FE engine with a good set of heads and cam with a C6 and a 3.00 ratio rear end. That spells disaster and they blame the lack of power on the engine. Go for a 4 speed toploader and a 3.55 or lower gear ratio. I run a toploader,3.70's and a posi in my 65. I have used all of the FE transmissions available for my car, FMX, Cruisomatic, C6(reverse manual valve body, 3500 stall), toploader 3 spd and now 4 speed, and none of them even begin to compare to the 4 speed. Just my opinion, but if you want to build a hellacious 390 give me call and we'll go over some parts lists. You can build an awesome engine for about 3,000 total. Email me: Sgtpeppr65@hotmail.com
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My motor started as a 390 and by March it will be a stroked 431 cubes. Edelbrock heads, cam, and intake along with FPA headers, MSD ignition, and a 100 hp shot of magic juice (as my 4 year calls it). End result should be 450+ hp and 525+ ft. pounds of torque. Bad news is that it is going to cost me about 7 large bills when it is all done. However, look at what 512 or other stroked motor costs. I think they are comparable and hell even Chip Foose is running a 451 stroked FE in his 56' Ford pickup. Can't be all bad.
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Count me in on the vote to keep the 390!! I love mine. It has been very reliable. It is lots of torque too.
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i'm definately not an authority but being a 429/460 fan i would like to say keep your 390. especially if your car came with a 390. it will be original and will make good respectable horsepower. also swapping engines is usually a bastard unless your knowledgable and enjoy that kind of stuff.

assuming it's going in an old ford of some sort nobody with any brains is going to look at your car and say "yuck a 390".

if ALOT of "horsepower" is really a major requirement study up on the 385 series engines. as thay say, there really is no substitute for cubic inches. the 385 series in my opinion lends itself better for that type of build.

If you feel that the 390 is a Bastard Stepchild I will take it into my extended family.
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No, I dont know how to feel about it, I was just gettin' the idea it was gonna be hard to build for. Tell you the truth, in its stock form with factory restrictive exhaust manifolds I like the way it runs.
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