390, Pro's and Con's

srv1 · 10-19-2002, 09:14 AM

Alright people, i was wondering the pro's and con's of the 390 since i know very little about it. How about building one up? Are they good motors? Since i dont know much about them, it would be appreciated. Thanks, James...

1969Mach1 · 10-19-2002, 11:24 AM

I believe there is fewer parts for them, but like anything can be found. Like I don't think they are that rare.... I havn't heard amazing things from the 390 but neither really bad things either. I heard they can be tight to work on but that was being compared to my 351 aswell.... What kind of project are you looking to build?

§am.

srv1 · 10-19-2002, 11:46 AM

i was thinking of selling my Stang and getting a 65-68 fastback. dont like the coupes that much, but 6T9Pony has the best one by far i have seen yet for a coupe. i know i could stick with the Windsor, but i want to be different.

Ron1 · 10-19-2002, 01:08 PM

The aftermarket perfprmance parts for a 390 are very limited (as 69mach1 said) and can also be more costly, because they are not as popular. How about a 351W stroked to 392. Plenty of aftermarket parts for that stroker. Its unfortunate that you are in NY, I have a 68FB that only needs an engine and trans. but I am on the left coast. It has been sitting in my garage for 4 years with all the bodywork, paint, interior and wiring done. 3.77 backbraced rear end with a Detriot locker and Dutchman axles. I have some pictures of the car here, but since they were taken, I have removed the big block and C6 for another project.

Ron

http://www.rfedd.bigstep.com/generic.html?pid=13

mustangII460 · 10-19-2002, 04:13 PM

Personally I love all the FE motors. The thing that sticks out most about the 390 is finding blocks that aren't cracked.

HotRoddin · 10-20-2002, 12:24 AM

Junk yards are full of them
Parts you can get from Ford Power Parts out here in calif ... they have it all. Also don't forget the 352 390 406 and 427 are the same basic motor different bore and/or stroke.
Get the police interceptor rods (best of the budget rods)
Get a 427 crank (same stroke as a 390)
Most of the factory heads are close to the same except the old 427 high riser heads or tunnel port heads
Most important of all is don't let anybody talk you out of making the oil galley modification (restricting the oil passages to the lifter bores) otherwise you get past about 6500 to 6800 RPM and you'll burn the # 7 or # 8 rod bearings or the rear main. It starves for oil without the mod. Don't let anybody talk you out of doing it !!! My brother has been building FE's since their introduction in 1958 i've been around them since i was a kid, so i'll answer anything i can that i've picked up along the way... which with my feble brain ain't much

rbohm · 10-20-2002, 03:16 AM

as has been stated, you can picj up 352's and 390's pretty much all day long. there are a number of companies that still carry parts for them. i would pick up a 390 and use a 428 crank instead of the harder to find and more expensive 427 crank. the big reason being is you get 20 extra cubes, and a monster increase in torque from the longer stroke. the FE is a good motor to run. you can still find many guys running them at the strip where they still kick some butt.

10-19-2002, 09:14 AM	#1
srv1 Get down..... Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Room 103 Posts: 2,095	390, Pro's and Con's Alright people, i was wondering the pro's and con's of the 390 since i know very little about it. How about building one up? Are they good motors? Since i dont know much about them, it would be appreciated. Thanks, James... __________________ Cobra brakes are on! Finally..... ------------------------------------------------

10-19-2002, 11:24 AM	#2
1969Mach1 HEY I CAN SET A NAME NOW! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,556	I believe there is fewer parts for them, but like anything can be found. Like I don't think they are that rare.... I havn't heard amazing things from the 390 but neither really bad things either. I heard they can be tight to work on but that was being compared to my 351 aswell.... What kind of project are you looking to build? §am. __________________ 1969 Mustang Mach 1Sold 351-4V Windsor, 4 Speed MACH 1 - Moving At The Speed Of Sound. 1979 Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car For Sale - Email me for Info 302-2V, 3-Speed Auto One of 2,106 made One of 405 sent to Canada. Yes those are caution lights, and No you can't pass me when there on. Ricer Hater's Club - Member #4

10-19-2002, 11:46 AM	#3
srv1 Get down..... Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Room 103 Posts: 2,095	i was thinking of selling my Stang and getting a 65-68 fastback. dont like the coupes that much, but 6T9Pony has the best one by far i have seen yet for a coupe. i know i could stick with the Windsor, but i want to be different. __________________ Cobra brakes are on! Finally..... ------------------------------------------------

10-19-2002, 04:13 PM	#5
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	Personally I love all the FE motors. The thing that sticks out most about the 390 is finding blocks that aren't cracked. __________________ Frank

10-20-2002, 03:16 AM	#7
rbohm Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: tucson,az/luray,va Posts: 243	as has been stated, you can picj up 352's and 390's pretty much all day long. there are a number of companies that still carry parts for them. i would pick up a 390 and use a 428 crank instead of the harder to find and more expensive 427 crank. the big reason being is you get 20 extra cubes, and a monster increase in torque from the longer stroke. the FE is a good motor to run. you can still find many guys running them at the strip where they still kick some butt. __________________ define irony: a bunch of idiots on a plane, dancing to a song made famous, by a band who died in a plane crash. fordsix.com admin

10-19-2002, 01:08 PM	#4
Ron1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Vancouver, WA USA Posts: 439	The aftermarket perfprmance parts for a 390 are very limited (as 69mach1 said) and can also be more costly, because they are not as popular. How about a 351W stroked to 392. Plenty of aftermarket parts for that stroker. Its unfortunate that you are in NY, I have a 68FB that only needs an engine and trans. but I am on the left coast. It has been sitting in my garage for 4 years with all the bodywork, paint, interior and wiring done. 3.77 backbraced rear end with a Detriot locker and Dutchman axles. I have some pictures of the car here, but since they were taken, I have removed the big block and C6 for another project. Ron http://www.rfedd.bigstep.com/generic.html?pid=13

10-20-2002, 12:24 AM	#6
HotRoddin cranky old man Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Longview Texas Posts: 683	Junk yards are full of them Parts you can get from Ford Power Parts out here in calif ... they have it all. Also don't forget the 352 390 406 and 427 are the same basic motor different bore and/or stroke. Get the police interceptor rods (best of the budget rods) Get a 427 crank (same stroke as a 390) Most of the factory heads are close to the same except the old 427 high riser heads or tunnel port heads Most important of all is don't let anybody talk you out of making the oil galley modification (restricting the oil passages to the lifter bores) otherwise you get past about 6500 to 6800 RPM and you'll burn the # 7 or # 8 rod bearings or the rear main. It starves for oil without the mod. Don't let anybody talk you out of doing it !!! My brother has been building FE's since their introduction in 1958 i've been around them since i was a kid, so i'll answer anything i can that i've picked up along the way... which with my feble brain ain't much

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