390 FE worth the time and effort?

[joey_hv]

Are these engines worth building up? are they rare or easy to find? will they bring up the value o the car or is it like putting a chebby in it? is $200 bucks for a builder with heads (doesn't run) a good buy or goodbye?

[blykins]

An FE is NOT like having a Chevy engine. The resale value of a Cobra with a Chevy engine is like a Cobra without an engine.

The FE is the most correct engine for the car, with the 427 being the leader of the pack.

I would most definitely consider a 390. With the right cylinder heads and a stroker kit, you're looking at 550-600hp with gobs of torque.

I would probably pass up a long block, but I'd look for a bare engine block and snag a set of good Edelbrock/Blue Thunder heads.

390's are very easy to find....428's and 427's are around, but they cost more to buy/build.

The value of the car will do nothing but go up with an FE in it.

[PatBuckley]

Even if you keep it at stock size, with a decent set of heads and matching cam it will be just about as fast as anything out there....face it, most of us don't spend much time on the track or at the strip - the only time we get to compare cars is a quick blast while going down the road and you would have to be truly stupid to stay on the gas for much more than a few seconds so why spend $12K to 25K for something you aren't going to use?

To answer your question - yes, it is worth building up.

[1985 CCX]

I agree with the others, any FE is ok. The "Turd" actually had a FE390 of course uit was a bit different and was all aluminum.

If I was to make the switch a 390 would be closer to reality than a SO. Remember a newly built 390 can easily get power of the original 485hp SO.
~500hp in a car that weighs 2200lbs is a whiplash waiting to happen.

[Jac Mac]

Of the FE's the 390 is probably the most sensible option out there, shorter stroke and reasonable cyl wall thickness make it less fragile and unlikely to suffer from porosity problems that are common on the larger 4.130"/4.250" bore variants. Resist the temptation to stroke n poke it and be sensible with cam head carb choices & it will last a long time. I built one for a Hot Rodded 56 Ford Sedan back in the early 80's & this guy approached me recently ( who I thought I should know, but could not put a name too ) and informed me that it is still going strong & has not had the heads or pan off yet! When He first got it he did not exactly treat it with kid gloves although I suspect he might have mellowed a bit by now.

Jac Mac

[decooney]

If you are trying to make it look and sound and perform closer to an original Cobra big block car, it's a great way to go and from a value standpoint. If you equip and build them right, they are fun to drive and wind up pretty good. There are a lot of Cobras around with 390s in them with 427 valvecovers on them, some just won't volunteer that information up front. In fact, I would prefer a 390 in a replica Cobra vs. a real 427 due to it's collector value for a non-replica car. Go for it, just make sure the cylinder walls still have some meat to them (sonic check) so you don't run into overheating problems due to an overbored block or due to core shift; and check every cylinder too. It might take a few blocks before you find a good one. Many others here on CC and Network54 can provide advice. FE's Rule! Hahahaha.

[SantaFe66]

My Cobra has a 390 in it and I'm very happy with it. Plenty of power, completely different sound than a small block (it's an FE, after all).

I purchased it from another Cobra owner that wanted to upgrade to a max built 427 side-oiler. That was a year ago and he still hasn't gotten his running due to problems with the Hillborn Fuel Injection system on it. Mine, with his old 390 in it, is running fine, sounding good, and getting miles on it.

I recently had a chance to drive a friends Superformance with a stroked 351 crate motor in it (392 cu in, 430 hp). The sound was completely different (I like mine better), power was about the same if I kept the revs up. His was a blast to drive and so is mine. The FE has more torque earlier but it's really hard to quantify since these cars are so light. 400+ hp in a light car is lots of fun. You won't be sorry with a 390.

Take a look at this website for info on building a killer 390 ........ www.webrodder.com and enter "FE" in the search. Look at the articles on the Cobra Venom build and the FE Ford - Hot Rod - Part 9 section for an example of what you can do with a good 390 block (431 cu in, 500 lb ft, 457 peak HP).

$200 isn't bad to pay for a non-runner but you'll have to tear it down and have a competent shop check the block, crank, heads, etc. You can buy a 428 crank that will stroke it to 410 cu in. Basically, a drop-in process if done by a competent FE builder. Numerous good ones on this site do that work (Keith Craft, Gessford, FE Specialists to mention a few) and back it up. Don't scrimp or it will cost you in the end. Do some research, buy some books, read the threads on this site.

Paul

[FFR428]

Yep $200 is a pretty good deal for a core engine. BUT you want to be sure what your getting. It could be a 360 or 352 unless you dig inside a bit. Since the engine is a core engine anyway the guy should not mind you taking a head off to measure the bore. And removing the oilpan to check the crank numbers. When I buy used stuff if I'm not allowed to do that I walk. Some guys are FOS and don't want their bluff called it seems. Pickup a copy of the Steve Christ book to bring with you to compare numbers. Granted the book has some errors but is still a pretty good source. A 360 has the same 4.05 bore as the 390 just a 3.50 stroke. The 352 has a 4.00 bore and a 3.50 stroke. Both 360 and 352 use long rods and won't work in a 390. 390 has a 3.78 stroke.

[Power Surge]

The only reason I'd take the 390 out of my car, is if it blows up.

Even if I had a 427 to put in, I wouldn't replace the 390 with it unless the 390 needed replacement. It runs that good.

[RICK LAKE]

joey_hv Are you kidding!! This a great price for any FE block with a 390 cubes or bigger. I would have the block checked for cracks first. It's worth the money Sonic also for wall thickness. As far a look, You can't tell looking at and FE motor, 390,406,410,428, with out pulling a head and checking bore and stroke. I know, I have a 410 that was to be a 428. 427 motors SO have a oil supply galley on the side of the block running the whole length. Side bolts can be added using 427 crossbolt main caps with some machine work. You can put a 428 crank in this motor and have a great torque motor. Good set of heads will give you a good 400HP and 450 ft. of tork. This is what I have in my cobra with a 452 motor and .500" lift hydro cam. Car runs 12.5 and lights up the tires at will. Tell the guy you want to have the motor sent to a machine shop for these checks, If motor is OK you pay, if not split the bill. If a cylinder is cracked a sleeve can be added for a repair. That's your choice or look for another motor. Rick Lake

[bulletbrown]

I have a warmed over 390 in my cobra and it works great and has been very dependable. You won,t go wrong . The London Raffle Car this year had a built 390 by Southern Automotive and it sounded and ran strong.

[joey_hv]

Excellent posts guys. I learn so much everytime I ask a question here. I am slowly begining to not have an engine knowledge deficiency.
I'm gonna pick the engine up, the guy is not actively trying to sell it but told me if I wanted it he would take 200 bucks.
thanks

[jdog]

You want to know what your 390 will look like?

It will look & run just like this, with $10,000 cash stacked on the fender:




The 10k is for you to put back into your pocket. That's what you pay for 'Bragging rite's!

Ask me how I know!

jdog
P.S. You can't even see the 'side oiler' parts by looking, you have to crawl under.

[MaSnaka]

As others have said...the 390 is a lot of fun. Although I can't personally compare it to other engines I like to hear the positive feedback on the 390. All posers with 427 valve covers can come out of the closet and be proud of your 390's...lol.

John

[joey_hv]

jdog, that is a sweet looking car. i see the 427 valve covers to
love it!

[jdog]

Originally Posted by joey_hv

jdog, that is a sweet looking car. i see the 427 valve covers to
love it!

Thank you, but a 390 would have looked just the same, and there have been a few times I wish I had that 10k back in my pocket!

jdog
P.S. I also waited in line for 3 years for a "Shelby". Don't let me be your 'how too' example!

[fostereast]

Depending on how deep you want to go, check out the FE forum;

http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/

You can get a wealth of info on 390's and other FE's. And the forum regulars will help you learn everything you want to know.

You can build an awesome 390 for reasonable dollars if you keep it simple...