[rehab532]

is a 390 a big or small block?

 

[ryan_0731]

they are kind of their own block compared to the more common 289, 302,351, 429 and 460. called a FE, or y block( pretty sure they have their own bellhousing) I guess if I had to label them it would be big block due to weight and heavy structure of block and head castings, I dont know if this will help or not

 

[curbdog17]

Big Block
Thats what I have always called them.

 

[trailranger]

big block

 

[Captain Ledd]

do you mean as in bellhosing pattern? or just catagory?

I do seem to recall them having their own bellhousing pattern (which would also fit with Ford's standards for engine families)

I'd figure they're a big block. The 427's and 428's (different from the 429's) were FE's too weren't they?

 

[ryan_0731]

both the 427 and 428 are fe motors i think ford had a hard time makimg up there mind, but atleast it gives us some neat motors to look at, like for instance the 427 ohc motor

 

[bigblockford79]

Some Good info. They even give reason for the 427 and 428 being made. (428 was cheaper and faster to build)

 

[rehab532]

the reason im asking is i wanted to put a 351m in a truck that has a 390 motor in it,if the 390 is junk. just wondering if it would bolt up to the tranny or not.all help appreciated, thanx

 

[bigblockford79]

the reason im asking is i wanted to put a 351m in a truck that has a 390 motor in it,if the 390 is junk. just wondering if it would bolt up to the tranny or not.all help appreciated, thanx

My suggestion to you would be to go with a 460 if you swap anything in place of the 390. The reason being:

-You will need new motor mounts for either swap (cost is basically the same)

-You will need a different transmission that had the 385-series bellhousing (351m and 460 use the same trans)

Basically, besides the cost of the engine itself the cost for the swap will be the same to have a boat anchor(351M) or something you can upgrade internals into later and really have something(460). There also isn't much aftermarket support for modified engine swaps since most people are ripping them out for 460's anyway.

I was not able to find a swap motor mount for the 390 to 351m that was publicly available, most likely you will need to make your own. As for the 460 swap, I found these mounts on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a5a87b818

There were many others to choose from as well.

Another thing to consider is the oil pan. The 460 may need a conversion pan kit or a pan off a 1980 - newer truck to fit in the frame rails, since 460's were more abundant in cars. The oil pan kit from Ford Racing Via Broncograveyard.com is $200. I would do A LOT of research on the 351M swap before going that route.

IMO - an extra $200-300 to swap in a 460 would be much more beneficial than doing the mod. engine swap.