Ford stuck this motor in tons of vehicles for more than a decade, and they’re especially common in trucks.Īdditionally, these engines are absolute torque monsters. So, why choose a truck or car with a 390 FE engine? For one, they’re usually pretty easy to come by. It’s an old motor with a clunky design, but it works well in many applications. There’s some truth to that, as it’s easy to get a 390 running but tricky to get it running just right. Some people would describe the 390 as a little bit rough around the edges. But with proper care, these powerful engines can run forever.
That said, it’s inefficient, and performance parts are pricier than most. The Ford 390 is a very durable engine, and many people swear by it. Many of these trucks came with a 360, and owners often stroked it to 390 cubic inches, as this was a relatively straightforward way to boost power. The 390 was available for the F100 into the 1970s, but it’s a relatively rare option. The Ford 360 FE was also very common in trucks, especially half-ton F100s across all trim levels. The 390 FE motor was found most often in 3/4-ton Ford F250s, but it was also available in other trucks.įord phased out all FE truck blocks around 1975-6 in favor of the “smogger” Modified (M) and Cleveland blocks. In fact, most trucks of that era that survive have a Ford FE motor. The Ford 390 was used extensively in trucks during the 1960s and 1970s. It served this role well, and there are still many Ford trucks on the road with 390 engines. The Ford 390 was phased out of use in passenger cars in 1971, though it found a niche as a durable and torquey pickup truck motor until 1976. With the 1970s fuel crisis and Federal emissions standards looming, the market began to move towards more efficient small block V8 engines. The 390 lived a relatively short life, as it arrived too late in the era to match the long life of Ford's versatile Windsor motors. Ford 390 SpecificationsĮNGINEFORD 390 FE BIG BLOCKMANUFACTURERFORDYEARS PRODUCED1961 to 1976DISPLACEMENT390CI (6.4L)CONFIGURATIONBIG BLOCK V8 FUEL TYPEGASOLINECOMPRESSION RATIO10.5:1FIRING ORDER1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8BORE4.05 INCHES (102.87 MM)STROKE3.785 INCHES (96.14 MM)HORSEPOWER (1963)250 HP (190 kW)TORQUE378 LB-FTGAS MILEAGE10-17 MPG (EST) Demise of the Ford 390 Though not as powerful as the 427 and 428, the 390 was still a respectable power plant in muscle cars like the Ford Mustang and the Mercury Cougar. The engine gave vehicles a performance edge from the factory, and it became an extremely popular platform for hot-rodding. The 390 became even more well-known in 1967 thanks to the Ford Mustang. In 19, the Ford 390 produced 335 hp and 427 lb-ft of torque. Horsepower and torque varied over the years, peaking at 401 hp in 19. Throughout the 1960s, the 390 became a staple performance motor across the Ford line. The initial models produced 330 horsepower and 427 lb-ft of torque, which was impressive at the time. It was considered a high-output motor, and Ford made it available in notable vehicles such as the Thunderbird and the Police Interceptor. The Ford 390 big block debuted across the Ford and Mercury line in 1961. The 360, which had a 390 block and a 352 crankshaft, can be converted to a 390 by swapping the crankshaft and connecting rods. The Ford 390 has the same 4.050" bore as the 360, but a longer 3.780" stroke. Many Ford FE motors carry this casting mark on the block regardless of their actual displacement. The 360 and the 390 are marked with “352” on the block, which can be confusing. The Ford 390 is a bored and stroked version of the Ford 352, which was a popular FE motor prior to the introduction of the 360.
0 kommentar(er)
