390 in a 51 Ford truck

[ahshoe]

Thinking about installing a 390 in my 51 Ford truck. Main reason is Ihave this complete rebuilt 390 ready to go that I was going to install in a project I sold.Other than fab work that I am very used to doing and have the place time and talent to do so anyone else ever do this ? Again this is not a race motor .It will be used to cruise in. I plan on changing the whole drive train and trans crossmember .Pretty much trying to work with just the frame ,and not change the exterior look of the truck at all. The flat head is gone so that helps my decision too.

[Charlie ny]

Use a C6 and lash the flathead motor you take out in the bed. Most important find a set of early Lincoln valve covers and adapt them to your 390 heads. I kid you not there is a guy in the Buffalo area with this setup in a '48 F1. His is a 352 and the Lincoln valve covers add a certain factor. He used coil overs in the rear with 4 bar and a 9". Leaf springs hindered tire bite. You asked.
Charlie ny

[rotorwrench]

Early Lincolns cover the big Y-block types and the big MEL types. Which valve cover would come closer to an FE head? Ford made some pretty nice valve covers for the FE.

The 390 FE is a good motor but will have to have a motor mount set up to fit in there. Flatheads mount at the front and FEs mount on the sides. I've seen them mounted in older F1 and F100 pickups before so I know it can be done. There may even be some frame adapters for this out there if you search. You'll need a good radiator for the FE but that shouldn't be hard to come up with.

[V8 Bob]

There is a saddle style cross member intended for F-100s using stock FE block mounts that should be adaptable to the F1 chassis (I have one if interested) and Chassis Engeering INC also made dropped crossmembers using their stock style flathead biscuit mounts.

[swedishsteel]

Heavier front springs as well?? Or another leaf? I would think the 390 would be a bit heavier than the flathead.

[blucar]

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From my point of view. just because you have an antique, heavy, out of date engine is not a good excuse to use it in light chassis F-1..
The FE series Ford engines we not that good of an engine. famous for having valve trouble.
A later model small block Ford with a C4 trans would be a better option.
I have a 56 T-Bird that has a 302 with a C4 that replaced the 312 and Fordamatic, really a nice setup.

[Ol' Ron]

A lot of weight up front!!! Might want to add power steering.

[Charlie ny]

I like it....it's different....it's all in the valve covers....Edsel and Merc Maurader covers
drop right on.
Charlie ny

[5851a]

FE engines are not really that heavy, around 600 with aluminum intake. Always liked the FE engines. Ferrari was kind of impressed with the Americans showing up at Le Mans with station wagon engines.

[1948F-1Pickup]

Here's the list........
(basically 100# difference)

[rotorwrench]

That great big intake is the heavy part. They are actually a medium block and are lighter than the MEL or 385 blocks. The aluminum intake is good idea.

A lot of small blocks end up in the old bonus built & F100 trucks. They are easier to work around but the rear sump has to be used.

[ahshoe]

Got the performer 390 aluminum intake on it already.There will not be enough weight added with this motor.The FR is a proven motor and I do know all the machining tricks .They have been around a long time. Already got the cradle for the FE into that frame .I will be adding ps. Great advice on the valve covers. That is the look I am after .Great ideas here ,don’t tell me not to do it ,I am not asking for that, but info and ideas on what works ,etc.by folks here that have done it or know others that have.Thanks so far.

[JHFORD51]

X2 on the tall pentroof style 65-66 mercury valve covers as found on their 410 engines.

Hard to go wrong with the early style rounded thunderbird valve covers either. Black and gold just looks good on a FE.

Chucks trucks in CT makes some composite washers to surround the steel balls inside the drag link. If you do that with new kingpins and bushings, the factory steering box is actually pretty good. I'd pass on the power steering setup if it were mine.

[rotorwrench]

If your using the 390, what transmission are you wanting to use?

[5851a]

If you have the performer intake you need to have valve covers for crankcase ventilation. 1965 through early 67 FE engines had a unique valve covers, kind of a high low pent roof with stamped in ribs on top and hold down bolts. They have provision for pcv. They are not compatible with adjustable rocker arms though. Sorry can't find a decent picture to copy.

[5851a]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/GGoAA...-9~/s-l640.jpg Not a plug for anyone just a picture of the style.

[Charlie ny]

5851a..........smokin'..........
Charlie ny

[pistonbroke]

If your running the stock front axle you may want the 4x4 oil pan out of a 72ish Hi Boy. They are a rear sump. Tim

[fortyfords]

71 4x4 has a rear sump also, the blocks are really tough material, I'm still running a 360 and it's never been bored. They just use a lot of gas with a C6, I would buy an adaptor and install an AOD. IMO

[5851a]

Depends on use of truck for transmission choice. I've had 4 cars with AOD's and 1 truck with AODE another with E4OD. Only the E4OD ever failed me and that was after a brother n law returned it. But all the AOD's had some weird shifting quirks. I grew up with the Swiss watch precision of the C4 and C6's, same shift same time every time.