[Sims1967]

I need some advice. I am building a 67 f-100. It had a 390. I want to know what kind of motor to swap into it. I want a weekend hot rod with a lot of horsepower and torque. But I dont want to fill up twice a nite, and my budget isn't huge. My cousin says that a 400 is good for a hot rod build. Is this true? any info is appreaciated, not only on the engine but the rest of the truck. thank you. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[wrenchturner]

If you dont want a gas guzzler,maybe go with a 351 windsor or a 302 these would probably be the most economical ones to build,dont really know much on the 400 so I would suspect it would cost more to build.If running automatic get you a stall around 2000-2500,shift kit,rear gears around 350, positraction.if you go to small block you may want to change your springs on front to lighter ones.hope this helps (wrenchturner)

[Centerline]

I think the 400 your cousin is talking about is a SBC. If it were me, I would try to stay away from the "cookie cutter" small block Chevy solution. Way too many of them out there. I would stick with another 390. It was one of Fords best engines and a small brother to the famous 427. With this motor you don't need a lot of high performance stuff to make good power. Just a mild cam, good 4 bbl. and manifold, and exhaust. It makes plenty of torque and will be able to spin the tires almost at will. The 351 or 302 would also be good choices, as would a late model modular motor.

Bill
<a href="http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com" target="_blank">HotRodsAndHemis.com</a>

[ June 06, 2002: Message edited by: Centerline ]

[ June 06, 2002: Message edited by: Centerline ]</p>

[willys36@aol.com]

Centerline has it right; no belly-button Chevy will compete with the looks of a big FE in your truck. The 390 is identical to the 352, 407, 427, 428. It is Ford's legendary big block engine - the basis for their 'cammer, the power plant for Shelby's monster Cobras, etc. Plus they still make a bunch of performance equipment from Edelbrock Performer manifolds to trick cams, headers, etc. And this is coming from a Ford hater!!

[F-1Rodder]

Here I am with a SBC in a Ford, but I agree that your truck should stay with the 390. The key to what you have written is about mileage. Any big motor you build is going to be a hog in that truck. It is heavy. So even a stroked SBC 383 would use a fair amount of fuel (I know).

Further, your drive train is set up for Ford stuff and you would have to change transmissions to use non-Ford equipment in front of what you have. Build that 390 right and you will smoke the tires any time you want.

[danker]

I'm doing a 300 6 cyl--see 300 build--on the board. These guys are helping me put mucho power to the pavement and my build cost will be half of what that 390 is going to cost! You check it out!
#1 less exhaust #2 less fuel-(unless you get nuts w/3 carb set up,heads etc.)#3 WEIGHT! #4 more room
to play with.........#5 easy to find and reasonably priced bullit proof low end torque motor!--cook it--get another! #6 she'll bolt up sweet to just about any trans ya got.

[blown69stang]

I will tell you right now, I love the 351W. You could easily stroke it to 392 if it is one of the taller 9.5" blocks, the 9.2" block would be pushing pretty close to the limits to get the 392. Some people I have talked to have disliked the 390 because it is of the heavier FE series and they don't think you can get as much out of it as a well prepared 351W. On the other hand, some people I talk to like the 390 because you don't have to do as much preparation to get the same power due to the fact that it is 40 ci bigger and they say it was one of the best Ford engines. My opinion, it is up to what you feel like doing. The 390 will most likely be more expensive to rebuild but it has 40 more cubes from the beginning so that can help some, so you may want to go with the 351W because of cost. If you really wanted to spend a some more money, you could find a 460 and use that as some serious power for your truck, but you already said you didn't have a very big budget.

[4 Jaw Chuck]

I would rebuild the 390 and throw an aluminum intake on it, that mod alone will shave 100 pds off the front end. The cast intakes on those engines were very heavy. There is nothing wrong with a well built 390, I had one in a 69 Ford LTD and with the two barrel it would spin the factory bias plies into third gear. Very torquey street engines, keep it original unless you can find a 427 0r 428 to replace it. Those engines are a direct bolt in using the same mounts and trannies.

[HotRodS10]

I think the 400 your cousin is referring to is the 351m which is a modified 400 but I wouldn't even think about taking that route, I had one in a 77 F100...simply a gas hog. I would either stick with the 390 or go with a 351w but thats just my opinion. Good luck, HRS10

[Sims1967]

The original 390 is no good. I threw a rod. I have a 76 merc marque w/ 460. I would rather have something with a little better mileage. So I thought that I would trade it for a 351w or a 302. By the way thanks for all of the good advice