Engine
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 7
From: Nampa, Idaho
I like 'em both but I'm developing a real love for the old FE's with my '69. I had a bum 390 (broken ring and grooved cylinder) as well as a 360 laying on my garage floor. I decided to use the crank and rods from the 390 and use the later, ribbed, 360 block to make my stump puller. I've built a couple 302's and a bored and stroked 351W too but have yet to feel it and hear it run.
It really depends on what you want for the truck and how you will use it. Will you be towing, hauling, driving it every day? If it won't be driven daily and mileage isn't a big concern, I say go with the 390. You can build them virtually stock but with a decent cam, headers, intake/carb and get major torque out of these big dinosaurs. The 302 is more of a high revving motor with lower torque numbers. Believe it or not, you may not even see much more than a few MPG's difference with the small block.
In addition, if the truck already has the 360 in it, you will need to locate some small block engine perches in order to swap the 302 into it. It's the correct way anyway. The 302 will indeed bolt to FE perches but it will be about 1-2" higher and at a steeper angle which will throw your trans tail & pinion angle out a little (vibration possible). Plus, you will need a small block transmission and possibly a driveshaft modification.
It really depends on what you want for the truck and how you will use it. Will you be towing, hauling, driving it every day? If it won't be driven daily and mileage isn't a big concern, I say go with the 390. You can build them virtually stock but with a decent cam, headers, intake/carb and get major torque out of these big dinosaurs. The 302 is more of a high revving motor with lower torque numbers. Believe it or not, you may not even see much more than a few MPG's difference with the small block.
In addition, if the truck already has the 360 in it, you will need to locate some small block engine perches in order to swap the 302 into it. It's the correct way anyway. The 302 will indeed bolt to FE perches but it will be about 1-2" higher and at a steeper angle which will throw your trans tail & pinion angle out a little (vibration possible). Plus, you will need a small block transmission and possibly a driveshaft modification.
