Posts: 42
Joined: 9/17/2003 From: United States Status: offline
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
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1968 Silver Camaro 383 Stroker Performer RPM Intake, 750 cfm carb, B&M shift kit, and racing spark plugs, and wires.
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
< Message edited by rwcstang -- 6/24/2004 2:56:41 AM >
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.
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
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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)
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.
Posts: 431
Joined: 2/6/2004 From: United States Status: offline
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.
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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!!
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.
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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)
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.
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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 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
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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)
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.
Posts: 42
Joined: 9/17/2003 From: United States Status: offline
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
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1968 Silver Camaro 383 Stroker Performer RPM Intake, 750 cfm carb, B&M shift kit, and racing spark plugs, and wires.
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
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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)
Posts: 42
Joined: 9/17/2003 From: United States Status: offline
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 - 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
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1968 Silver Camaro 383 Stroker Performer RPM Intake, 750 cfm carb, B&M shift kit, and racing spark plugs, and wires.
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351W vs 390 - 
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 
- 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... 
