Looks like an FE series to me.

Hi

Based on the water pump, exhaust ports, and spark plug angling ...
my guess is an "FE" series ...

What's it out of?
It looks like early 70's. My guess is 360 or 390.

FE passenger / light truck engines were 352,360,390,410,428.
MD/HD truck: 330,359,361,389,391.

 

you can be sure by looking closely at the intake and heads, if the intake fits in as a part of the head, so that the valve covers seal on the heads and the intake, it's FE. (360, 390 usually) if not, this could be a 351M. they were used extensively in trucks in the late 70s.

 

Thanks guys. I might have to go back and do some more snooping. It's what's left of a '70's pickup. I think it's an F-150 but there's not much left of it. Were FE engines used in the F-150s? I didn't realize Ford used so many damned engines

Where's the casting number located on these things? Is it in the back like chevys?

 

Definitely Ford FE engine.

 

Looks alot like the 360 I had in a '70 3/4 ton Ford Camper Special. Man that thing would run. Even with big old camper tires, I could easily boil the tires. Good thing it had dual fuel tanks. Might be something to play with. Good luck.

 

Definitely Ford FE engine.

And definitely NOT a 351M / 400. The thermostat housing is mounted vertically, and the w/p is mounted directly to an integral housing cast to front of the cylinder block on those ... not sitting on 2 seperate pedestals like this one (which is another FE characteristic)

360/390 were used in the F100 - 350 trucks from about 1966 or 1967 to 1976, and then they switched to the 351M/400 from 1977 to 1982.

The FE series also had thier fuel pump bolts across from each other (horizontally) where the 351M/400 's had the bolts one above the other (vertically)

351M/400 has 8-bolt valve covers whereas the 390 only has 5

There should be a number something like "D1TE 6015 AB" cast into the side of the block which should be of use in identifying it. Look for a metal tag under the ignition coil as well.

 

Wow you guys really know your stuff. Thanks for the help guys. If it turns out to be a 360 or 390 FE engine, do these have any potential for a little mild build project? Sorry once again I am un-experienced in the blue oval field. I'd like to do a mild build on it, a decent sized cam, hand port the stock heads, intake and carb, headers. The basic stuff. I don't know what kind of power these make but something like 350-375hp would be about good.. im sure they make more torque.

Thanks again guys.

 

Wow you guys really know your stuff. Thanks for the help guys. If it turns out to be a 360 or 390 FE engine, do these have any potential for a little mild build project? Sorry once again I am un-experienced in the blue oval field. I'd like to do a mild build on it, a decent sized cam, hand port the stock heads, intake and carb, headers. The basic stuff. I don't know what kind of power these make but something like 350-375hp would be about good.. im sure they make more torque.

Thanks again guys.

Yeah, I think that the old FE series can be hot-rodded to achieve numbers like that, and they are definitely torquey as well with that long stroke. I drove the snot out of 2 or 3 of them. In fact, I had a 1968 Mercury Lemoyne (pronounced "lemon" according to my buddies) with a 390-4V in it. It was the proverbial "land-yacht" and a real nice cruizin' car.

It would just fry the tires once you got them broken loose. There is an approach just north of a fairly sharp LH curve near Radisson Lake that they STILL (since 1978) call "Don's Corner" :thumbup:

The bottom line is that the FE wouldn't be my first choice for an engine to hot-rod ... but I guess it wouldn't be my last choice either. They're massively heavy, performance parts are both rare and expensive, they're prone to overheating, and they're usually real gas-hogs to boot.

I guess that I developed a bit of a bad taste for these engines, but to be fair ... it was largely due to "driving the snot out of them".

A better choice might be a "335" series engine (351C, 429, 460) as they are built to rev, have big, canted valves, and parts are more readily available ... especially for the 460.

They're also doing some neat things with the Windsor engines (302, 351W) Aftermarket heads are really making some serious horses on these "little" engines.

Don

 

Yeah, I think that the old FE series can be hot-rodded to achieve numbers like that, and they are definitely torquey as well with that long stroke. I drove the snot out of 2 or 3 of them. In fact, I had a 1968 Mercury Lemoyne (pronounced "lemon" according to my buddies) with a 390-4V in it. It was the proverbial "land-yacht" and a real nice cruizin' car.

It would just fry the tires once you got them broken loose. There is an approach just north of a fairly sharp LH curve near Radisson Lake that they STILL (since 1978) call "Don's Corner" :thumbup:

The bottom line is that the FE wouldn't be my first choice for an engine to hot-rod ... but I guess it wouldn't be my last choice either. They're massively heavy, performance parts are both rare and expensive, they're prone to overheating, and they're usually real gas-hogs to boot.

I guess that I developed a bit of a bad taste for these engines, but to be fair ... it was largely due to "driving the snot out of them".

A better choice might be a "335" series engine (351C, 429, 460) as they are built to rev, have big, canted valves, and parts are more readily available ... especially for the 460.

They're also doing some neat things with the Windsor engines (302, 351W) Aftermarket heads are really making some serious horses on these "little" engines.

Don

Thanks Don. I'll try to see if I can confirm the engine type first. I guess it doesn't sound all that promising then for the FE types, the reason why I have been gungho about it is because this thing is free. But, I have other stuff going on as well so if this FE engine is not worth my time to make a little power out of then I will just keep my eyes peeled. As I mentioned I know nothing about Ford stuff but I'm looking to explore that side sometime as well.

 

In stock trim the FE is heavy, but not out of line with other big blocks. Aluminium intake knocks off a bunch of weight. (the factory iron weighs about 150lb!) They are excellent engines to build. Parts aren't on every shelf like the SBC, but they can be found. Aftermarket stuff is available, if you are building a 60s era Ford there is NOTHING better than an FE. Aluminium heads, intake, 428 crank, matched cam. Pay attention to detail when you are building, they are famous for leaking oil from the timing cover but if you are consiencious and not in a hurry they don't leak any more than anything else. They are torque monsters! http://www.network54.com/Forum/75943

 

In stock trim the FE is heavy, but not out of line with other big blocks. Aluminium intake knocks off a bunch of weight. (the factory iron weighs about 150lb!) They are excellent engines to build. Parts aren't on every shelf like the SBC, but they can be found. Aftermarket stuff is available, if you are building a 60s era Ford there is NOTHING better than an FE. Aluminium heads, intake, 428 crank, matched cam. Pay attention to detail when you are building, they are famous for leaking oil from the timing cover but if you are consiencious and not in a hurry they don't leak any more than anything else. They are torque monsters! http://www.network54.com/Forum/75943

Thanks for the informative info. I am pulled in multiple directions at the moment. I have a lot of people telling me not to bother with an FE and I have others telling me to go for it. Just today I was talkign to one my my engine builder buddies and he said that they're ok but that I'm better off grabbing a 460 out of the junkyard and working with that. Of course there is a huge difference in engine size there, but I don't know how the parts cost compares. I may have to flip a coin to figure this out. The only factor that really keeps me going is that this FE is free. I just don't want to waste my time and money. None the less the idea still intrigues me. Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate any input on this.

 

I have a FE 390, using the stock heads, a performer intake and a nice cam, that thing has tons of torque.. using the stock 4 speed, it can burn out in each gear :-D

 

if you are debating wether to get a 390 (if that is what it is) or a 460... just remember.

There is no replaiment for displasment.

 

A 460 would be cheaper and a lot easier to find parts for. If you are just building Ford powered anything to go fast that would be the choice. If you are considering a 60's type Galaxie, Fairlane, Mustang etc. the 390 would be my choice. They look cool, and will put out good HP and torque. (The early 60's 390 4V put out over 300HP in stock trim and was dead nuts reliable) I had a 70 LTD with a 390-2V that was able to get over 20MPG on the highway. Driven gently they aren't too bad, get into it some, and all bets are off.

 

It is definitely an FE. (exhaust manifold bolts, water pump, manifold, etc)
Depending on the year truck it is a 352, 360, or 390. Casting numbers won't tell you which one. Need the number on the crank throw. 360 is a slightly bigger bore 352. 390 is a long stroke 360. Easy to make either into a 390 at rebuild time.
352s through 72, 360s 73 and after.

Fine engines, especially for the price you paid.

 

If you are willing to spend a few bucks, somebody just cam out with aluminum performance heads for the FE. Check summit racing for starters, others probably have them as well.

An FE is a great motor for an older Ford, and "free" lets you spend the money you save on better parts.

As for weight -- they are about 100 pounds more than a small block Windsor, but about 100 less than the 429/460 family.