Fe 390

[McCobra]

I apprecite your feedback and experience on the 390

I am looking at various cobra's for sale and one has a 390.

I was leaning towards a 351...little lighter, plenty of upgradeability for additional power...

Any drawbacks to the 390...even resale value vs. the other engines?

I had a 390 in a '67 Mustang and it definitely has plenty of power

Thanks again

[Geary L. Sarno]

McCobra
When my 428 block failed to pass my machinist's testing
I used a 390 as my base. The block's center oiing system has been modified for greater volume and the oiling holes to the mains have been centered. ARP studs are used for mains and heads. With Rhodes fast bleed hydalic lifters and precision balancing of internals the engine idles rather smoothly at 850 RPM while pulling 15.5 inches of vacuum. The rockers are adjustable solid lifter type which give a bit more lift than the hydralic units. Oiling to the rockers has been restricted and with the modifications mentioned the 390 yields 42 lbs of pressure at idle. Forged pistons for a .060 overbore, Eagle rods, and LeMans crank make up the reciprocating assembly. This engine will be getting twin paxton superchargers and I feel that it will be able to handle the pressure with relative ease. My 390 (403 CI) engine is a very good street engine with light foot pressure on the loud pedal. Press it though and all hell breaks loose with your future rushing up through the windscreen at an astonishing pace.

Check my photo galley for the engine shot.
- Aggressor

[CobraEd]

Glue bolt heads onto both sides of the bottom of the block, and tell everyone its a 427!!

Ed

[Geary L. Sarno]

Good Call CobraEd

-Aggressor

[Toivo]

You should look at that 390 more closely.

It's a common misconception that the FE series of engines weighs more than a 351. It all depends on how the engines being compared are configured. Because a large part of an FE's topside is manifold, switching from an iron to an aluminum manifold can shave a lot of weight off of the engine. With aluminum heads, manifold, waterpump and headers instead of cast iron logs, an FE can weigh the same or even less than a 351 - again depending on what the 351 has by way of heads, etc.

I don't think you want to base your decision solely on weights, they are actually fairly close. What you do want to consider is whether you can work on this engine yourself or need the services of a shop. Generally (again) speaking, you'll have a greater selection of shops that can work on the 351 family of engines than can work on FE's. Going forward, modifications and parts are probably going to be cheaper for the smallblock as well.

JMO

[RICK LAKE]

Hi Geary Car looks great. What compression ratio are you running? Are you going with the twin paxton set up? I hope you have a large hood to clear the blowers. Run RICH, Watch the timing. Get a MSD boost retard module. Run 1/2 inch line with a good fuel pump to keep your motor happy. Which twin blower car was it, CSX3015 or CSX3303. I went to a dyno, Second Street in PA. cost 600.00$ and was worth every dollar. If you are running more than 6 lbs of boost you might want to go to water injection. I am looking at Carroll Superchargeing in N.J. They use a mist of water to help. The system is adjustable, controlled by boost and volume. I think it cost $1K Check it out. BOOST RULES. Good luck with your car. See you at Carisle in May? Rick Lake

[McCobra]

Geary, CobraEd and Toivo,
Thanks for the insights

Geary-Good luck with the Paxton's. And remember, it's impossible to have too many horespower

[Chaplin]

Geary-
What cam are you running? What are the specs? I too am considering building a 390 and want something that will have a decent idle, but have plenty of power.

Thanks.
Mike

[RICK LAKE]

Hi Mike I am running a comp cam. .501-533. small cam idles at 750 rpms retarded the cam 4 degress. motor is 452 cid. 9.2 compression. The motor put 340 rwhp and 438 torq. at the rear wheels. I built the engine for torque. I have a problem with my trans when the motor gets to 180 coolant, the trans will not shift, to be replaced in two weeks with G-Force. I have run road race course in 4,5 gear only. Big Cams are great, but 500 lift to 550 is there you want to be for a great street car that is EASY on the WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN. Good Luck Rick Lake

[John 550]

I have a 390 in my 427 sc . I was on a "budget " . I called Joe l. at Danbury and he had one . It turned out to be somthing he used to display in his shop . It was dressed up with 428 valve covers . Edelbrock prefomer RPM intake .It had 406 heads which are hi compression . 30 over bore .hydraulic lift , Its blueprinted , ballanced which is great for keeping the revs up . Makes over 400 hp , and seemes good for now and very reliable . If i was to redo it would have aluminum heads , water pump , a crank from a 428 to make a stroker , I would replace the cast iron bell housing .
As far as resale , a 428 or 427 would be most peoples first choice , after that I dont think the motor will be the selling point .There is the exception . One old post had a k car with a 406 that would not sell .
I like my engine , it kind of makes me think of what the cars probably felt , and sounded like.

[cliff1963]

You can't go wrong with a 390, Most people don't know it , but the first big block in the Cobra was the 390. Bet ya didn't know that!!

[Pete C]

I have a 390 in my ERA, blue printed and ballanced by Joe at Danbury Engines. 428 heads, solids, 427 B Cam and 2 holly 650 cfm carbs. It is very quick and while I have thought that more HP/torque could be nice on the track, that thought has never occured to me on the street! Now a question. What rocker arm set up are people using? Mine is stock with adjustable rocker arms and I'm tired of breaking rocker shafts (no end supports) and bending push rods!!!
Pete

[Geary L. Sarno]

Rick Lake - The compression ratio is 9.75 to one. With the superchargers coming I kept it under 10 to one. The boost will be 6 lbs. max. Due to financial considerations the twin Paxtons will be added next year. My car is to be on display with Unique Motorcars in building 20 at Carlisle. To answer your question on the original twin Paxton cars, I understand the Shelby car was #3015 and the Cosby car was #3033. - Geary

[Geary L. Sarno]

Chaplin - The cam is a Crower cam for blower application. I'll get back to you with a part number. Duration is 288/288. With the fast bleed Rhodes lifters the vacuum is good and the idle is slightly lumpy. The lifters are a bit noisy but I like the "mechanical" sound. I'll have to dig up the rest of the cam specs for you. - Geary

[grumpy]

The 390 is bar far the best HP buy you can have along with the sound and looks of the "true SC Cobras" of 64/65. I would take it over a 428, but thats a matter of $/opinion. $/HP compared to a 351W, you're miles ahead. But it's a torquer, peddle it on launches, and it'll knock a hole in most SB builds even supercharged. Boy do the chrome Penthouse valve covers look ggggoooooooddd on it. All you'll need is a turkey pan to have a top engine compartment that even the sb boys will be jealous of.
Don't pay any attention to the HP claims of the SB's, cuz you'll shift at 4000-4500 RPM and be gone with your little ole 400 HP FE.

Grumpy

[Zderf]

I'm Sold.

I bought the car with the 390 installed. It is actually a TE (1974 truck block) not an FE. Having had a poor rebuild, it puked at 900 miles. Since, it has been bored 0.030", has all new stock hydraulic rocker assemblies, stock heads, 10:1, Comp Cam kit (K33-230-4), Edelbrock dual plane intake, Edelbrock high flow water pump, high volume oil pump, 750 Holley Legacy, stock FoMoCo distributor, Aroura ignition, 3 quart Accusump (insurance for this poor oiler), and March underdrive system. Desktop Dyno puts it at about 425hp and 450 lbs torque. No dyno time as yet.

It is very reliable, has a authoritive idle, sounds like a thunderstorm under throttle, looks like a 427 (sans bolts), and was mostly affordable. Whats best is it is usually in the minority when groups gather... a real Ford FE (TE) big block. Yup, I'm sold.

See a shot or two in my photo gallery.

Zderf

[Turk]

The virtues of 390 are legendary. It has been a workhorse.
I am thinking about covering up my side bolts and make my 427 look like a 390. No one would know!

TURK

[Pete C]

Turk, Glad to see you've finally seen the light! Possibly we can finally dispense with those "lowly 390" comments. I predict that soon everyone will want a 390 and the market will be flooded with 427 SOs driving the price down and.....then I'll get me one!!!
Pete

[hound dog]

Turk,
Have you tried to fit a set of the small block "COBRA" valve covers yet? Just what the "big block" needs!
h dog

[Whaler]

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/i...o=200&size=big

Does it go down to the inside frame rail?
Yet it comes thru the top of the tunnel correct?

I just got my handle and it mounts to the frame rail with a made up bracket, just wondering what they did on your Canam

Tim