Bad News

[Nash]

My engine is not a 390, but a 352. I'm real dissapointed. In the future, i will get down on my hands and knees with a flashlight to see the block code.

I knew it didnt have the original motor in it, but i had no idea it was a lousy 352.

Im even more dissapointed that the stroke is the different.

Its the 4 BBL Stock 352. I am still trying to fiqure out what the transmission is.

Intake- C5AE9425C
Heads- C5AE-U
Rods- C7AE-B
Piston- 410
Trans- D4AP-70006-AA.

What should I do now? FOrd racing short block assembly 460?

I really dont want to build up a 352, thats just displeasing to me.

Need some help.

[Dano78]

I don't see what's so wrong with a 352? It was pretty fast in it's day and I'm sure with a good build and a few aftermarket parts you have power like the 390 without the fuel guzzling.

The tranny is probably a C6 3 speed. Had it been a '65 it would have been the old cast-iron Cruise-O 2 speed. The C6 is a great tranny, but in your case the one you have is only good for a FE as the bellhousings are inseperable.

Wait a minute... Why do you say it's a 352? The 360 and 390 also used a 352 stamped block. I question it because I see you have '67 Rods and appearantly are using 410ci pistons. I wouldn't go tooting that horn yet. Get the numbers off that crank or better yet on the flange that the flexplate (or flywheel) mounts to, there is either a square notch, a half moon, or a circle (or a combo) cut into the flange. This is also an indicator of what crank you have it the block. I know for sure, having just a square notch means it's a 390 crank. Having both a half-moon and a notch means 360. There could be more combos, but I can't remember more. I'll have to check into that method further.

Does anyone know how to surely decipher the markings that are cut into the rear flange of the crank?

[Nash]

Howdy.

Some other guy is telling me from the casting number on the rods and pistons, its from a low compression 390 truck engine. Wow, im saved.

I was about ready to strip the whole car and sell it. Thanks so much, Im so HAPPY!

Ill be postin some other things after the machine shop. Thanks guys!

[babyboomer]

You say truck motor. 390 and 391 are not the same as 360 and 361 are not the same. Futher identification is needed before you buy parts.

[unioncreek]

Check the rear flange on the crank first then measure the stroke through a spark plug hole. 360 is 4.5", 390 is 4.78".

[thesals]

hey man, there would've been nothin wrong with a 352, those are very tough engines, i moved all my furniture from one house to another with my old ranger running a 352 with cam that was broke in half and a bad carb, and that thing still ran like a champ, plus it was also pretty fast, i could easily break the tires loose when the cam was in one piece....plus the old Y blocks tended to have a lot of torque, and torque is a good thing

[Oldf100fordman]

Originally posted by unioncreek
Check the rear flange on the crank first then measure the stroke through a spark plug hole. 360 is 4.5", 390 is 4.78".

Say WHAT?????? You'd better check again. a 360 and 352 had a "3.50" stroke and a 390 has a 3.78 stroke. I can't for the life of me figure out where you got the 4.5 and 4.78.

[thesals]

wow, i guess all those years of my father telling me a 352 was a Y block were wrong, i'll let him know.... i used to get a lot of bad automotive tips from him back when i was a teenager.... slowly learned all his mistakes.... dad doesn't always know best, but the books ussually do