SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: 1972Challenger on May 12, 2011, 08:54:50 AM

Title: FORD 390
Post by: 1972Challenger on May 12, 2011, 08:54:50 AM
ok so i have been trying to find info out on this motor.. and im getting mixed results...

is the FORD 390 a bbf or a small block?
how much power(stock) does it have?

things of this nature.. any info is good info.. thnx
Title: Re: FORD 390
Post by: gregb on May 12, 2011, 09:23:37 AM
It's a big block engine, sort of.  It's not as big as a 460 and it's definitely not a small block.  It's from the Ford seires of "FE" engines.  HP depends on year, carburetion, etc.  Many different cylinder heads.   If you have one in a boat it was probably around 300HP or so.  Probably my favorite series of engines, since that's what I learned first.  332, 352, 360, 390 410, 427, 428 were the sizes available.  Came out in 58 I think and was used into the 70's in pickup trucks. 
Title: Re: FORD 390
Post by: 1972Challenger on May 12, 2011, 09:45:08 AM
i read something like that. that its a FE series... and all my buddies said it was a small block.. ha i guess they are wrong.. thanks for the info..

Title: Re: FORD 390
Post by: IRRebel on May 12, 2011, 10:15:04 AM
Good motor! I would consider it a Big Block, same as a 396 Chebbie.

2 experiences I have with the 390 were both "police interceptor" versions.  1 was in a '66 Fairlane a bud had when I was in HS. VERY strong 14 second car, and a ton of fun. The other, about the same time frame, we put in my pops old '75 1 ton dump truck.....got the motor cheap, he needed it, why not?  :screwy:

Truck would pull anything, and haul over 2 tons without a hiccup while towing the little backhoe he had at the time.  :thumbup:

Didn't know anything about ferds back then. Still don't, really, save the 460, but nearly 30 years later that engine still impresses me.

Ray
Title: Re: FORD 390
Post by: gregb on May 12, 2011, 10:39:23 AM
Is this in a boat you have?  If it is you're probalby not to far from me if you ever need a hand with it let me know.
Title: Re: FORD 390
Post by: 1972Challenger on May 12, 2011, 11:22:46 AM
ya its in my '72 challenger..... all i know about it is that i have a holley 4 barrel single pump, 650cfm carb on it with edolbrock log and snails... other then that im pretty sure its a stock motor.. rebuilt 4 years ago.. atleast thats what the guy told me a year ago... i ran it last year and got a top speed of 55... i have a jacuzzi wj pump
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