If you have any questions on the motor, check out the Ford FE Forum. The guys over there have a wealth of knowledge on the FE series. Just remember, it's gonna be TIGHT! Plugs changes are a PITA. You'll need to use GT heads also as they have a lower exhaust port to allow room for the manifolds in the Mustang engine bay. Was your car originally a big block car?
Thats right about the heads except I think port size is the same, the holes for the manifolds are diagonal as opposed to vertical. This should not be a problem in 69-70 cars only 67-8 skock towers are too close with big car/ truck heads. Headers have both bolt patterns so that is an option. Edelbrock heads have both patterns too. Quig
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67 FB 289 4v for now maybe 60 over 390 later 3sp until I rebuild my toploader(his) 06 V6 coupe all stock(hers)
There were a few different heads that were termed "GT". I don't know if it's 100% true, but the general rule of thumb is that you need to use a head with 14 exhaust bolt holes when installing an FE motor in any unibody Ford. That said, I've never measured the distance between the shock towers in my 69. I can tell you that my headers (Hooker) hit in a few places even though my towers were shaved by one of the previous owners. My car started life as a 200ci six. Do you know if the six cyl./small block cars had different shock towers? Do you already have a 390 that you plan to use?
69 Coupe 390/C6/3.25 9".
< Message edited by 69FECoupe -- 7/9/2004 9:00:36 AM >
A 289 and 302 is easy to change the plugs in and much, much lighter. I got like the small blocks. The big blocks are just to big and rev to slow. Good luck with your 390 and I hope you like it. It doesn't matter what I think about a 390 as long as you like it, it is a good motor for you.
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1966 Ford Mustang 289 hopped-up, ford 9" , 4 wheel disk brakes , HD T5 and BANNED from XOC.(Xterra Owners Club)
Was browsing in an old mag and found specs on the 390 engine. Seems the bore is 4.05. Looked further and the 289 engine has a bore of 4.00. Now, let me see, 390 CI and 289CI, which is the longer stroke? No difference really in piston size, hmmmm, seems to me the 390 CI MUST be a long stoke! This being the case, the 390 CI engine would make a wonderful truck motor, which it was!
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1966 Ford Mustang 289 hopped-up, ford 9" , 4 wheel disk brakes , HD T5 and BANNED from XOC.(Xterra Owners Club)
My stroke comparison in the earlier post was 390 to 351, not 289. But since you seem to think that the 390 was a "very long stroke" motor, let's look at some popular Ford and Chevy big blocks that are not generally considered truck motors. Ford: 390 stroke = 3.78, 427 stroke = 3.78, 428 stroke = 3.98.
Now for Chevrolet: 396 stroke = 3.76, 427 stroke = 3.76, 454 stroke = 4.00.
I guess by your definition these are all truck motors.
It might interest you to know that the 390 was not designed as a truck motor and in fact it was modified strengthen it for truck use.
quote:
ORIGINAL: horseshoeing
Was browsing in an old mag and found specs on the 390 engine. Seems the bore is 4.05. Looked further and the 289 engine has a bore of 4.00. Now, let me see, 390 CI and 289CI, which is the longer stroke? No difference really in piston size, hmmmm, seems to me the 390 CI MUST be a long stoke! This being the case, the 390 CI engine would make a wonderful truck motor, which it was! [/quote
< Message edited by 69FECoupe -- 7/28/2004 11:09:14 AM >
My earlier posting compared the stroke of a 390 and 351, not a 289. Since you seem to think that the 390 is a "very long stroke" motor, lets compare the stroke from some popular Ford and Chevy big block that are not generally considered truck motors.
By your definition, these are all "long stroke" truck motors.
It might interest you to know that the 390 was never designed to be a truck motor in fact it was modified to strengthen it for truck use.
Sorry if this gets posted twice.
quote:
ORIGINAL: horseshoeing
Was browsing in an old mag and found specs on the 390 engine. Seems the bore is 4.05. Looked further and the 289 engine has a bore of 4.00. Now, let me see, 390 CI and 289CI, which is the longer stroke? No difference really in piston size, hmmmm, seems to me the 390 CI MUST be a long stoke! This being the case, the 390 CI engine would make a wonderful truck motor, which it was!
Your facts? are undisputable as I'm sure you've had tons of hand's on experience with 390's. I'll just have to learn to deal with the fact that I've have a boat anchor under my hood. I won't be committing it to the briney deep anytime soon though.
quote:
ORIGINAL: horseshoeing
Short stroke........long stroke, the 390 was one doggie motor! Make a damn good boat anchor.
If you are happy with it, than keep it. If someone ask me what I think about it, I will say to get a 289 or 302. How do you like changing spark plugs in you 390 lol. Theres that one that a bear. I going to keep my 289 and love it. What is your gas milage? Mine is about 17mpg. I pushing about 350hp. Is yours about 12mpg? If I had your car I would keep the 390. Its to much work to change it. Well a 302 boss would be nice....... I would have to keep the 390. I to cheap to change.
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1966 Ford Mustang 289 hopped-up, ford 9" , 4 wheel disk brakes , HD T5 and BANNED from XOC.(Xterra Owners Club)
I'm not bashing or promoting any engine. Quite frankly, all Ford engines have pluses and minuses. My only points are that the 390, even though it made it's way into alot of trucks, was not designed as a "truck" motor, and that it's not a "very long stroke" motor. I'm sure there are alot of folks out there with a 360 in their truck that think it's a 390. The 360 was designed as a truck motor and is physically identical to a 390.
Regarding my car and engine combination. I didn't by it for convenience, gas milage, it's ability to spin the tires, or ease of maintenance. For me at least, that's not what classic car ownership is all about. I bought it because I wanted a big block. If I decide to change the motor some day it will only be for a 428 truck motor. Enough...
289, 350 HP?? Pretty good numbers. Even Shelby only got 306 HP out of the non race 289. Why dont you share your dyno charts with the group? I'm sure there are other small block owners that would be interested in learning about your build.
quote:
ORIGINAL: horseshoeing
If you are happy with it, than keep it. If someone ask me what I think about it, I will say to get a 289 or 302. How do you like changing spark plugs in you 390 lol. Theres that one that a bear. I going to keep my 289 and love it. What is your gas milage? Mine is about 17mpg. I pushing about 350hp. Is yours about 12mpg? If I had your car I would keep the 390. Its to much work to change it. Well a 302 boss would be nice....... I would have to keep the 390. I to cheap to change.
Posts: 431
Joined: 2/6/2004 From: United States Status: offline
hehe I don't know what it is about the 390, but it can spark more debate than any other FE motor ever made. I get tickled. There are people that swear they're boat anchors and guys that swear they will tear most any other motor a new one. I wonder why that is? Most people agree that the 302 and 289 are both good motors, and will argue which is better. But for the most part they will agree to disagree at some point. The 390, however, seems to really divide folks. Go figure.
Either way, like it or leave it. The 390 has it's fans, though I'd prefer a 351 Cleveland anyday. I tend to ride on the "the 390 is a good truck motor" side of the fence. <grin> It is one heck of a torque monster, there is no denying that.
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None of us is as dumb as all of us!! ...course then there's the rest of us.
2000 Laser Red GT (hardtop) Gotta get some pics posted!!
Good reply pinchinco. You are entitled to your opinion . I just hope it's based on real world experience, not hearsay. Horseshoeing, I'd still like to see some backup to your horsepower statements. It might be a good idea for you to jump over to the FE forum to get an education on 390's and the rest of the FE truck engine family.
Posts: 32
Joined: 1/13/2004 From: United States Status: offline
Personally, i feel that a lot of the folks on here who claim x horsepower are actually buying into the claims that this windage tray will add 15 HP and these heads are a bolt on 40 HP. Thats like golfers believing x golf ball will add 15 yards and x driver is 10 yards longer. If this were the case everyone would have 450 HP and be able to drive a golf ball 350 yards.
Even the HP ratings on the vintage mustangs at 225 HP were pretty hyped up. When the magazines do a dyno test, most of them fall into about 150 rear wheel HP. The HP claims made are all pretty self-grandiose claims anyway. If youre a drag racer, it doesnt matter jack what your HP is, your ET is what's important. If youre a track guy, HP doesnt matter, what matters is crossing the line first as second place is just the first loser.
With a 289 ford rated the motor Hp not the Hp at the back wheels. So, that where you need to get a Hp rating from on a 289. I did not build the motor myself. I had it done by someone who raced a 67 Boss back in the 60's. In his shop was all can of cars. He worked on mustangs to old vettes to new road racing vettes to old racing cars I never heard of. Sadly he has Quit working on cars because he flipped out when his wife took his kids and left. Anyway, he said that what It was, not me. All I know is I never be beat on the road. That don't mean I'm the fastest, but that I am fast. My car is not setup to drag but more so to road race. About 10 years ago or more , I spend about $3,500 just in parts. Every thing was the best. If a shelby 289 had what 291hp, I think 60hp more would be easy to get. If you can......... Thats bad.
The bad thing about a 390 is Its to slow. You can have lots of power but if it is slow, its still slow. A 12.7 liter diesel has about 500hp and 1700 pond of torque. Thats a lot of power!!!! Is it fast? No....No....No. It's to slow. Long stroke= torque...Big bore=Hp Long stoke=slow power....short stroke=fast rev. I'm not saying you can't make a 390 fast but it takes alot more money, and know how. Out of the hole a small block is faster. In a 1/4 mile a fast big block will beat it. A big block is NOT a road racer. The are only good for trucks and drag racing (if you built the piss out of them). A 390 is just about a big block, but it just to small. It needs a bigger bore. Better heads. Lighter crank and flywheel. Thats just to start. Its like a 265. It just needs more.
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1966 Ford Mustang 289 hopped-up, ford 9" , 4 wheel disk brakes , HD T5 and BANNED from XOC.(Xterra Owners Club)
Your comparisons are absolutely great. I really like the diesel/gas comparison. And what is your definition of "slow"?? Is it revs, speed, what? Anyhow, I'm done. But I learned alot. I learned that I should not have been spinning my 390 to 6 grand because it's a long stroke truck motor and it can't do that. Oh, yea, and I really should be using it as a boat anchor.
Sprint 200, I know you've gone with the 390 truck motor, see the kind of $hit you have to put up with when you have one? As I said before, if you want some real world information about your FE motor, stop by the FE forum. You won't get generalizations or unsubstansiated feedback.
Later....
PS the Shelby 289 made 306 BHP and going up to 350 or so is not that easy.
hi my name is david and i work a lot with fes . here some 390 info for YOU 352 to 532 .fes you can do a lot with a 390. the lowest hp made by a 390 was a 2v 250 @4400.and lb-ft/rpm 378@2400 ,,the most hp with a 4v 375 @6000and.. lb-ft/rpm 427@3400. the 390 6v made over 401 hp@6000 lb-ft/rpm430@3200..with a littel work like fixing the oling and and better intake and carbs you can make a runing 390.you can make a 390 in to a 410 cid by put in a 428 crank and get over 400 hp.and you can get 422 ci with a 390 bord 60 over and a 428 crank you can get 80 over have it checked ,to see if you can ..now 390 with aulm heads and intake 30 to 40 lb liter then the 351 w.and 100lb liter then the 460.now the 352 is like the 351 w, the 352 has a 3.50 strock 4.00 bore.the lowest hp for the 352 2v220hp@4400 tq is 336@2400 the most hp for the 352 4v hp 360 @6000 TQ IS 395@2800. i like the 289-351,and 460s -fes if you do them right they run alsome. david hoyt
here you go heres a 462 fe storcker for $1995. it come with cast scat 4. 250 crank. 4340 scat i beam rods 7/16 caps screws. custom pistions dish dom flat top, rings rod and main bearings .. and i can find 390 blocks all day long i have 5 of them..
here you go heres a 462 fe storcker for $1995. it come with cast scat 4. 250 crank. 4340 scat i beam rods 7/16 caps screws. custom pistions dish dom flat top, rings rod and main bearings .. and i can find 390 blocks all day long i have 5 of them..go to www.storker kits-dragracing parts.com
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RE: 351W vs 390 - 
