does anybody know of any problems I might encounter putting a 390 fe motor into my 54 Ford? How about exhaust manifolds? thanks
Have to use factory flat manifolds or Hedman headers. I put 406 /405 factory performance manifolds on my 57 when everyone said it couldnt be done. had to use a ground down 58 steering box, mill the exhaust side of the heads and the mating surface of the manifolds plsy grind a 1 inch hole and braze a flat freeze plug in upside down. Other then that they bolt on. That was in 63 though
Pretty much bolts in outside of that. You can use a 9 inch 57 rear but the axles arent real strong. An early Bronco rear might be good for wide tires or a 31 spline Mustang 9 inch. Are you using an automatic or stick. I had a 60 police 3 soeed OD then a 4 speed in mine later on. Also changed the 406 out for a 427/425 motor
I already have a 57 9inch in the back. I currently have a 351w with an FMX auto in the car. going to put in the 390 with a c6 just for some more towing capacity. I was originally going to just change to an AOD, but I found the rebuilt 390 and it was dam near free.
A fellow club member just bought a '55 Ford with a 390 and four-speed with a 9" Ford rear. There's plenty of room in that engine bay for sure. It almost looks like a factory install. The original cast exhaust manifolds were used and the clearance is fine. I'm sure that some mounts (engine,trans,rear) had to be changed, but I haven't crawled all over(orunder) the car yet. This car sat for 20 years and was done in the 60's. I'll get pics out soon. Spike
From what I have been told all you do is swap sides on the Y block mounts and use 60s galaxie exhaust manifolds. Jeff
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