390 ARE BOAT ANCHORS,,,351W STROKED TO A 408,,,

 

o ya

 

I see the rocket scientists have spoken. What's interesting is that I don't disagree with them with regard to a 351w. However, anyone who calls a 390 a "dog" or a "boat anchor" knows nothing about them. And BTW, stroking is nothing new, people were dropping 428 cranks in 390's 35 years ago. You get a 410. And for all intents and purposes, a 390 IS a 427, but then I'm sure you knew that. Anyhow thanks for the education and enlightenment.

 

I CAN TELL YOU THIS MY BRO /INLAW HAD A THUNDER JET OR THUNDER BOLT SPEC. EDITION 390 IT WOULD RUN,,IN A MACH 1 ,,HE BEAT THE FASTE ST CAR IN THE BLVD AT THE TIME,,,,IT JUST LEFT THAT 70 CHEVELLE IN THE DUST,,,402B.B.C.THAT WAS 20 YEARS AGO...

 

The bad knock on a 390 is the valves are so small. A 427/428 engine has a lot larger valves. I have no doubt with after market heads a 390 can make a lot of horsepower, but in stock form they are slow. Therefore the "boat anchor/dog" etc..labels.

 

390 is a dog. This statement is not totally correct. I have had many over the years, only 2 of them were slow and I couldnt do much with them. Back in 79 I had 2 69 fords one LTD and one XL both had 390 2v motors. The XL was a tire fryer and the LTD was a slug. they both had c6 trannies and 2.73 gears I couldnt get anything out of the LTD. I traded the XL for my 67fb and was very disappointed with the 289 in the stang as the big ford would run circles around the stang. some engine mods later the 289 is ok but those same things done to my current 390 in my truck would smoke my 289. As for the weight aluminum heads and intake will shave lots of weight from the motor and solve the so called small valve syndrome. Ive only had 2 Windsors 1 in a 76 Cougar I had in Germany, headers and glasspacks, no cats (not allowed in Europe in the early 80s) and was ok until I burnt a piston on the autobahn racing another ami in a Pontiac. I had to replace it with a 302 which was the only Ford motor I could find. Isold the car when I left at a nice profit to a gi whose 289 dropped a valve. The other was a 77 T-Bird, now that was a DOG. I think any v8 can be made fast but there is no substitute for cubic inches. Another consideration is do you want a bit of originality? My 67 is limited to 289 or 390 v8s a Windsor will fit but was not available. It all comes down to personal preference as both would be good
Quig

 

Well put Quig. Regarding heads, the "GT" head is the same on a 390 and a 428. The CJ's and SCJ's heads have the larger valves. 427's came with everything from small valve heads used on the 330 HP marine engines to the SOHC heads.

 

Thanks for all the input, but I have to put the project on hold for a little while. I just bought somethine else. I am close to finishing the interior, its a Creme Color, and I plan on paintin the car a dark green, or maybe a deep red. This isn't going to be a stock Mustang. As engine options, I think I am going to buy the 390 and rebuilt it (when funds are there). The guy told me he would come down the 300. Now I have another question? What transmissions do I need to look for? I would really like a 4spd, but don't know if thats what I need. What transmissions were offered with the 390? Thanks for all the help.

Chris

 

Original tranny options are C6, 3sp and 4 sp toploaders. If you go with a manual the input shafts are shorter on the FE trannies. If you use a small block trans on a FE you will ruin the thrust bearings. The rest of the gearbox is the same so you only need to change input shafts, I may be doing this myself if I ever decide to put my 390 in.
Quig

 

Well I bought the 390 today, I spent the grocery money on it. Now its just the rest of the project ahead of me. -take a deep breath, and count to 3 [X(]- but I plan on doing all the work myself, expect the paint job. Thanks for the help quig. Next will be choosing the color, and the stereo equipment. Fun times in my garage...


Chris