I have finally narrowed down the engine choices for my 70 fastback, but its hard. I drove a friends 68 Coupe with a 390 in it for a month, and I loved how it moved. But I am also a fan of the 351W. I just can't figure out which one I want. I talked to the guy at the salvage yard and he told me it would cost me about 300 bucks less for the 351, but I don't know, 300 bucks right now means a lot to me, because also trying to purchase a 94-95 GT, and also try/attempt to sell my 66 to buy a 289 65-68,:( so money is very tight. But Do you think the 390 is worth the extra 300 dollars? Both engines turn over, the 351W is out of a truck, and it was running a month ago. The 390 hasn't "ran" for a few years now, but he said if you tried -really tried- to start it and run it, it most likely would. SO I need a little input. Thank in advance

Chris

well i would go wiith the 390 i mean it has amounts of good hp and i have friend that has a 390 in his 68 that runs 10's lol i do also love the 351w cuz theres alot more products for the windsor than the 390 i mean im deciding myself to get a 351w and stroke it to a 427 or a 393 stroker i mean its hard to choose but i mean for now i would go with the 351w there alot more stuff out there for that engine but, i would also go with the 390 hmmm i wish i can have both lol but i just go with the 351w and stroke it :D

In the long rum, the 351W would be the better choise. There are far more high performance parts out there vs the 390, and they are a lot less costly. You can easly get the 351 to make over 400HP.
Break a 390 and your screwed, the cost will kill ya.

Thats my 2 cents.............Good luck [sm=smiley20.gif]

390 = [:'(]

351w = can be made much faster for less $$

since you didnt say what is in it now, I assume a 302. If so definately go with the 351 because the bell, motor mounts and exhaust will be much easier=cheaper. Also 351s were in 69-70s from the factory. In my case with a 67 my choices are 289-302 or FE motors. I have a 60 over 390 I might put in, BUT it will cost about a grand to put in. I still might do it but the 289 runs fine and is plenty quick. I disagree about parts being hard to get search the web and youll see, yes they cost a bit more but FE motors look so cool.
Quig

I have a 390 in my 69 coupe and I love it. Stock, it has 335 HP and 427 ft. lbs. of torque. That said, if i was starting from scratch, I'd go with a 351w. Putting aside the availability and cost of HP parts, the Windsor is more disposable. As has been said, if you puke a 390 or any FE, you're sort of screwed as they are getting scarse.

390 is a BIG hunk of metal 450 lbs naked block! Very, very torquey engine. Not much on the revs though. You can get some serious horsepower out of them but it's expensive as all get out. Defintely would need to look at your weight ratio front to back if you drop it in.

The 351W is a little more versitle and you can upgrade them for a lot less money than the 390. Weight much less of a factor too. Got with the 351W.

390 is a very long stoke motor. Great for a truck. Not so great for a light car. A 351w is a 289 with a longer stoke. If you want a 351, get a 351C. Much better heads.

The 390 is not a "long stroke" motor. It has a stroke of 3.78" vs a 351w with a stroke of 3.50". With the correct valve train, FE motors rev quite easily past six grand. As has been pointed out, they are heavy and more difficult to build than a Windsor. Clevelands are great motors but like FE's they have some inherant oiling problems and can be pricey to build. With the availability of stroker kits for the Windsor motors, they are the most logical and cost effective way to go.

Who cares!!! The 390 is dog.A big dog that like GAS!!! I would go for a 289 or 302. Block for block they are fast if they are you spend the money. Hey, what do I know? I'm a newbie!!!! And I drive a Toyota. Get a 289. If you want a big block, get a 427 Ford or a 429CJ.

390 ARE BOAT ANCHORS,,,351W STROKED TO A 408,,,

ORIGINAL: NOS/MAN

351W STROKED TO A 408,,,


o ya :)

I see the rocket scientists have spoken. What's interesting is that I don't disagree with them with regard to a 351w. However, anyone who calls a 390 a "dog" or a "boat anchor" knows nothing about them. And BTW, stroking is nothing new, people were dropping 428 cranks in 390's 35 years ago. You get a 410. And for all intents and purposes, a 390 IS a 427, but then I'm sure you knew that. Anyhow thanks for the education and enlightenment.

I CAN TELL YOU THIS MY BRO /INLAW HAD A THUNDER JET OR THUNDER BOLT SPEC. EDITION 390 IT WOULD RUN,,IN A MACH 1 ,,HE BEAT THE FASTE ST CAR IN THE BLVD AT THE TIME,,,,IT JUST LEFT THAT 70 CHEVELLE IN THE DUST,,,402B.B.C.THAT WAS 20 YEARS AGO...

The bad knock on a 390 is the valves are so small. A 427/428 engine has a lot larger valves. I have no doubt with after market heads a 390 can make a lot of horsepower, but in stock form they are slow. Therefore the "boat anchor/dog" etc..labels.

390 is a dog. This statement is not totally correct. I have had many over the years, only 2 of them were slow and I couldnt do much with them. Back in 79 I had 2 69 fords one LTD and one XL both had 390 2v motors. The XL was a tire fryer and the LTD was a slug. they both had c6 trannies and 2.73 gears I couldnt get anything out of the LTD. I traded the XL for my 67fb and was very disappointed with the 289 in the stang as the big ford would run circles around the stang. some engine mods later the 289 is ok but those same things done to my current 390 in my truck would smoke my 289. As for the weight aluminum heads and intake will shave lots of weight from the motor and solve the so called small valve syndrome. Ive only had 2 Windsors 1 in a 76 Cougar I had in Germany, headers and glasspacks, no cats (not allowed in Europe in the early 80s) and was ok until I burnt a piston on the autobahn racing another ami in a Pontiac. I had to replace it with a 302 which was the only Ford motor I could find. Isold the car when I left at a nice profit to a gi whose 289 dropped a valve. The other was a 77 T-Bird, now that was a DOG. I think any v8 can be made fast but there is no substitute for cubic inches. Another consideration is do you want a bit of originality? My 67 is limited to 289 or 390 v8s a Windsor will fit but was not available. It all comes down to personal preference as both would be good
Quig

Well put Quig. Regarding heads, the "GT" head is the same on a 390 and a 428. The CJ's and SCJ's heads have the larger valves. 427's came with everything from small valve heads used on the 330 HP marine engines to the SOHC heads.

Thanks for all the input, but I have to put the project on hold for a little while. I just bought somethine else. I am close to finishing the interior, its a Creme Color, and I plan on paintin the car a dark green, or maybe a deep red. This isn't going to be a stock Mustang. As engine options, I think I am going to buy the 390 and rebuilt it (when funds are there). The guy told me he would come down the 300. Now I have another question? What transmissions do I need to look for? I would really like a 4spd, but don't know if thats what I need. What transmissions were offered with the 390? Thanks for all the help.

Chris

Original tranny options are C6, 3sp and 4 sp toploaders. If you go with a manual the input shafts are shorter on the FE trannies. If you use a small block trans on a FE you will ruin the thrust bearings. The rest of the gearbox is the same so you only need to change input shafts, I may be doing this myself if I ever decide to put my 390 in.
Quig

Well I bought the 390 today, I spent the grocery money on it. Now its just the rest of the project ahead of me. -take a deep breath, and count to 3 [X(]- but I plan on doing all the work myself, expect the paint job. Thanks for the help quig. Next will be choosing the color, and the stereo equipment. Fun times in my garage...


Chris

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

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".

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.

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!

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

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.

Ford first: 390 stroke = 3.78, 427 = 3.78, 428 = 3.98

Now Chevy: 396 = 3.76, 427 = 3.76, 454 = 4.00

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.


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!

Short stroke........long stroke, the 390 was one doggie motor! Make a damn good boat anchor.

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.
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.

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.


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.

[i][/i[i][/i

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.

FINALLY a voice of reason crying in the wilderness! All I can say is "bravo! well said"!

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.

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.

My dos centavos.

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.

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

390s are not slow just put in a good gear and and 390 4v intake and you will see that is not a dog.give me that 390 and i can give a 351 w a hell of time.

ok if a 390 is a dog how about this 390 stock hp at 315 to 345 in a 66 to 67 thundrbrid no100 shot of nos does a 7 flat in the 1/8 mile over 100 mph.and that thundrid wt is 4700 bl car lets see a stock 351 w do that,, i have a 72 torino 4dr with mild 351 4v with a street master intake ported heads heades cam can only do 1368 1000 ft with the 2.75 gears i jut put in the 3.91.. and i have a 3700lb 68 galaixe xl with a very mild 422 fe dose 13.33 @111 mph 1/4 mile on street tires no nos the 422 is a 390 60 over 428 crank stock rods pistions heads intke 390 performer.c6 thans. shorty header 750 holley 3.91s now you tell if fes are god you need to go to the super stock races.

your right about that . when people say that 390s are dog

here some info on 351 w the 69 2v was 250 hp the 4v 290 hp, the 70 351 w 250 hp 2v the 4v 300 hp. the 71 351w 2v 240 hp.the 72 351w 153 hp,
the 390 2v 265 hp-4v320hp.69. 70 390 2v 265. 71 390 2v 255 hp..the 61 390 4v 300hp-375-6v 3 /2bbl 401hp .the 62 390 was 300-375.the 63 390 300-330-340hp.64 390 300hp.65 390 300-330hp the 66 390 2v 265,4v 315-335-the 67 390 2v 270-4v 315-320hp 68 390 2v 265hp 4v 335hp..the 406 fe 300-425hp
the 410 fe 330-425hp the 42fe 335-over 400hp the 427fe 390hp-500 hp the 427 sohc over 675 hp 8v 625 4v..the max hp on a stock 351 w 300 hp.the
the stock 390 max hp over 400hp.stock.so if you say the 390 is a dog take a look at this now the 360 is kind of a dog with 250 2v 8.1 comp.the 351 w is dog to with the 2v 153 to 250 hp.you got to do a lot of work to a 351 w heads suck small valves small exh ports the fe heads are better big valves 1.57 int 2.04 exh this is the small valve for the 390 the 351 w is 1.54 exh -int 1.84 stock the port size 1.76w/h 1.94 int/exh w .96/1.24.the 390 port size w 1.34/h1.93 int
exh w 1.28 h 1.84 is the smallest port heads.for the fe 390 the 427 medium riser valves 1.733.exh/int 2.195.. the port w 1.34 h 2.34 int exh 1.28 w/h 1.84.

i think your talking about the 360 or 352 and the 390 2v i think you need to look deeper in to the 390 befor you call it a dog [:@]i know that that a 390 will give the 351 w a all of a run in the stock trim .

A big block adds more value to your car! even if it's not original! Although a 351 is easier to find parts for and maintain (and can be built to be as powerful), A 390 or even a 428 would add thousands of dollars when you go to sell the car! Many people want Big Block cars!

You guys can have the 390. No thanks! I would not have one in a Mustang. Give me a 302 boss. I did't mean to make anyone mad, but 390s in my book are great truck motors. They are to heavy and you got to do to much to them to make them a hotrod motor. The heads just suck on them. If I was going to put a big block in a carit would be a 429SCJ. Now that was a fast motor. Anything else would be a small block.

how well would a mustang handle with a 390 vs a mustang with a 302?

ORIGINAL: eZ

how well would a mustang handle with a 390 vs a mustang with a 302?


They both handle terribly.

And since this is my first post in this thread I will comment that I don't talk horsepower without a real world dyno sheet to back up my claims ;) Cleveland Rocks :D, but a 390 can be fun too, so can a 351w. In direct comparisons, the same exact car will have better handling charateristics with the lighter motor, but it can be compesated for with carefully selected front and rear shocks and springs and some tasteful, lost cost mods (unless you want to go full bore aftermarket and put on a tip top Griggs Racing Setup ;) )

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.

Actually the 2V heads and 2 Barrel carb became the "Truck" motors as trucks don't need to turn quick RPM nor breath easily.

For all the number quoters out there Please keep in mind that it was very common to UNDERRATE performance of an engine.

HP HP HP the only people who talk HP is Drag racers and small block owners.

HP=TORQUE * RPM / 5252

Torque is the ability to do work. The reason we measure HP at the rear wheels these days is because Rice burners and small block guys were quoting these HUGE HP numbers by simply increasing Red line and shifting the peak point up the curve a bit. When in reality FINAL DRIVE will dictate how much HP is actually on the ground.

So

390 producing 400lb of torque at 3300 = 251HP at the crank
351C producing 400lb of torque at 5500 = 418 hp at the crank (Most of us have seen enough crates to know this is about right)

Now take that both vehicles weight the same and have the same tire size.

If you have small block on your brain when you build your car and put a 4.11 gear ratio in the rear end to (hmmph apply more torque to the road) Your 390 is going to be a tire smoking no speed having dog. One that will make you look years younger on launch but not have an end of the track pull.

Take my 66Gt came from the factory with a 9inch 2.65:1 rear end. 3300 in fictional tall gear of 1:1 My rear end's rpm is 1245RPM
A 351C with a 4.11 at 5500 is 1338.00 RPM

If both cars are at Peek powr output of their engines 400lb of torque and the drive line lets say eats up 70lbs of torque on each.

390 High gear peak power output applied to road = 78 HP

351C High gear peak power output applied to road = 84 hp

So on paper the 351C becomes the victor but we don't live in a paper world.

My 352 I produces 550lb of torque at 4800 rpm and is a pump gas daily driver of an engine.

That's 502HP at the crank.
Thats 102HP to the road in high gear 20% more than a very well built small block.

The 351C can match this with only 480ftlbs of torque @5500 rpm This is EXPENSIVE HP so we start talking about $10,000 engines versus $3500 engines.

Here is the kicker UNDER LOAD a big block can achieve rpm Faster than a small block with equal load because of the big blocks higher rolling mass and heavier flywheel allows for a better shift on a manual tranmission.

Thus you will see Big block cars (Like my fairlane) giving up 800lbs to smaller cars and still being competitive.

Also remember that suped up 351C won't be using pump gas and damn sure won't be getting groceries on saturday afternoon. Thus is why big blocks bring more money and are more desirable. Its solid power, lower cost to achieve, easier to Add torque to the engine through out the rpm range, and when all is said and done its streetable.

Lets not forget longevity of our investment. The number of passes a big blck can make on the strip versus a small block is usually 4 to 6 times as many before needing to rebuild.

if your building a race car get the 390, if your not buy what you can afford. the 351w has plenty of power,parts are easier to get and cheaper. in other words if the 351w pleases you. dont worry about the other guy might think.

I said 390 cuz its bigger [:-]

Just trying to break down that bigger=better thinking. A bigger HP number doesn't equal a faster car.

I compared a Stock 390 to a to a very nice crate motor in my example.

It would interest most people to know that Mr. Shelby had a falling out with ford over the use of the 429 in the Cobra. He wanted the 352 I with better flowing heads.

While on paper the 352 gave up some HP to the 429 yet it reved much quicker as well as higher and the loss of HP on paper would of been made up by the faster pull through the gears in the super light car.

It was after this suggested design that I built this 352 for my 390GT The bonus comes in moderizing the fuel system

16 MPG city and 27 MPG highway on a 12.4 second car

I have seen a california write up where the guys Mustang was at 600hp and 31 MPG by using the new triton motor's coil over plug ignition system for individual cylinder tuning.

It would also surprise most people to find that the 352 I heads had BIGGER ports than the 390GT's Stock head did.

In fact on this build I wound up using 360 pistons (.50 over) this gave me an "over square" build which is excellent reving engine so much so that I have am looking for a rev limiter now to prevent "mistakes".

My machinist did a through bore of my oil galley as the FE blocks were drilled from both sides and all blocks oil galleys had the holes offset. We also drilled the heads and plugged the oil getting to valves and reduce that monstor oil port down to .080 to prevent hydralic lock during long upper rpm runs.

My toss up came at the point of whether to keep the 3 speed that came with the GT or move to a 4 speed transmission. On paper its looking like the 4 speed winds up being a "small block think" item as well. So on this build I am thinking of sticking with the 3 speed that was orginal equipment and let the fast RPM's and big torque pull me through the gears

I just wanted to make a small point. When talking about a long stroke motor. It is usually defined as a long stroke, if the stroke is longer than the bore diameter. Ie the motor is over or under square. Its not the length of the stroke in isolation that determines a long or short stroke.
Thats all.

The windsor wasn't initally intended to be a race engine. The one you would have bought would probably of had 200 hp and 225 ft lbs. More than likely the 390 will be 275-300 hp and 350-375 ft. lbs. If you arent going to mod and race the engine, you made a good choice. That 390 will get you in motion alot quicker than a stock-truck windsor.

FE for life yo (besides a 408 cleavor)

ORIGINAL: 69FECoupe

I see the rocket scientists have spoken. What's interesting is that I don't disagree with them with regard to a 351w. However, anyone who calls a 390 a "dog" or a "boat anchor" knows nothing about them. And BTW, stroking is nothing new, people were dropping 428 cranks in 390's 35 years ago. You get a 410. And for all intents and purposes, a 390 IS a 427, but then I'm sure you knew that. Anyhow thanks for the education and enlightenment.


Amen brother! Back in the day, when there were still a ton of 390s (as well as Clevelands) you would never have called one a boat anchor! They were big, I'll give ya that, but they would go! A friend had one in a '66 'Stang that was WICKED! Also, I don't know if historical correctness means anything here, but whenever I see a car that is using a motor that was not originally offered for it, I think EEW...That ones been F*ck*d with.

why not get a 351 stroked to a 396?

Go with the Big Block 390.
Everyone seems to own a 351W
Be different