FE block compatability?
01-30-2016, 12:45 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
FE block compatability?
Hey guys, I hydrolocked my 390 in my 78 f250, needless to say i pulled my motor to see what damage I did, and it turns out that it was only my intake gaskets. So, while I have this motor out and disassembled, what can I do to help beef it up? Or is there a direct swap in motor that is easy to get a hold of and would be better? There's a wee bit of damage in the cylinder walls but I'm thinking with the ridge reamer and a hone I can fix that. Anyways, back to the point. Before I swap the c6 in place of the NP435 I want to build up some ponies/torque. This is gonna be a budget build, so any advice helps. Thanks guys!
01-30-2016, 03:09 PM
#2
I believe the 352, 390, and either the 421 or 428 were the same basic block. The 421 was a torque - y ambulance motor and the 428 was more power with torque just naturally coming along for the ride. Like I said, I don't remember which of those 400+ engines matched the 390 block, but the 428 came in a super cobra jet version that just screamed.
02-01-2016, 08:33 PM
#3
Member
Thread Starter
I believe the 352, 390, and either the 421 or 428 were the same basic block. The 421 was a torque - y ambulance motor and the 428 was more power with torque just naturally coming along for the ride. Like I said, I don't remember which of those 400+ engines matched the 390 block, but the 428 came in a super cobra jet version that just screamed.
So, I got a clean 67 390 to throw back in it. What can I do to wake it up a little before re installing?
02-10-2016, 03:36 PM
#4
Do some research. There were versions with bigger valves, or different heads may bolt up (like 351 heads fitting a 302).
But stock 4V heads should be pretty good as is. Getting those old big blocks to breathe seemed to perk them up quite a bit.
There are probably a few tricks out there if you really search around. Such as putting a 429 crank gear on a 460 to advance the valve timing and wake the old beast up - not that that applys here but there have to be a few old school tricks for the 390.
It was more of a truck motor basically (for hauling weight) so I don't know how much you can pull out of it without making a hole in your wallet.
I did have a 67 Tbird w/ a 390 back a long ways and it jumped off the line pretty good. But then I got my hands on a 69 w/ a 429 and it was a whole new ball game.
But stock 4V heads should be pretty good as is. Getting those old big blocks to breathe seemed to perk them up quite a bit.
There are probably a few tricks out there if you really search around. Such as putting a 429 crank gear on a 460 to advance the valve timing and wake the old beast up - not that that applys here but there have to be a few old school tricks for the 390.
It was more of a truck motor basically (for hauling weight) so I don't know how much you can pull out of it without making a hole in your wallet.
I did have a 67 Tbird w/ a 390 back a long ways and it jumped off the line pretty good. But then I got my hands on a 69 w/ a 429 and it was a whole new ball game.