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Ford FE engines

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by scotts52, Apr 21, 2009.

  1. scotts52
    Joined: Apr 7, 2008
    Posts: 2,797

    scotts52
    Member

    Can someone tell me if there is any value in Ford 360's and 352's. I hear all the time about the 390 but have not heard much on the smaller brethren. I have a possible deal on a complete 360, a mostly complete 352 and some 428 pistons and rods. Just wondering what they're worth. I will make them available here on the HAMB to anyone inerested. Just trying to make a little money in these hard times as well as help out others who need them. Thanks everyone.
     
  2. I was always told the 360s where low compression smog type engines. I think a 352 would probably outrun a 360, but Im sure theres guys on here who forgot more than I know.

    Brad
     
  3. They're not bad little engines...the 352s seem to last forever & at least one high-performance version was offered by FoMoCo. The 360 was mostly built in smogger form, with low deck height, retarded cam timing, etc. The only real problem with either is that you are hauling around a lot of weight for not all that many cubic inches. 360s can be converted into 390s fairly easily during a rebuild.
     
  4. RAY With
    Joined: Mar 15, 2009
    Posts: 3,132

    RAY With
    Member

    The 352 was and still is a good motor and with just a little work can make good horsepower. With all the heads available-352-390-390 hipo and many 427's you have to watch the compression on what ever FE you choose to build due to high compression and junk gas. Just about any FE you build you will need an aluminum intake to drop a lot of excessive weight. Removing the cast intake will give you hemorids if your not careful--LOL
     
  5. James427
    Joined: Apr 27, 2008
    Posts: 1,740

    James427
    BANNED

    The only pieces worth picking up would be the 428 rods IF in fact they are 428 rods. Check the parts numbers on the rods. The rest of the stuff I would not bother messing with unless the 352 happens to be the HP version but that's not very likely. Check the head numbers between the center exhaust ports near the plugs.
     
  6. norwich25336
    Joined: Apr 19, 2009
    Posts: 25

    norwich25336
    Member
    from Michigan

    My cousin had a 58 police interceptor with the 352. Something about the engine and trans being balanced? Anyway, all I know is it ran strong and give the 390 fits.
     
  7. AnimalAin
    Joined: Jul 20, 2002
    Posts: 3,416

    AnimalAin
    Member

    A 428 crank will give you about 50 additional cubes (more if you clean the bore up .030) in a 360. Probably worth the effort. You will need 410 (plus .030) pistons. It is unlikely that you can bore a 352 or 360 to the 4.13 bore size of the 428.

    SCAT makes even bigger strokers that are not too much more expensive than a rebuildable crank and machine work. If you are buying a complete rebuild kit, it might be worth it to comparison shop.

    Aluminum intakes were already mentioned; heads are also available, and while not cheap, are a good hp/torque per dollar investment. Lighten the package as well.

    FE motors have a long a long and storied history; they are a good choice for lots of cars.
     
  8. haulAss or GTFO
    Joined: Feb 27, 2009
    Posts: 59

    haulAss or GTFO
    Member

    hands down my 352 FE is the best motor i have worked with
    not to mention theres shit tons of proformance parts for FE motors
    and its NOT a cookie cutter motor
    lighten it up a bit, and run a hot spark and you got a nice big block for little $$$$
     
  9. slddnmatt
    Joined: Mar 30, 2006
    Posts: 3,685

    slddnmatt
    Member

    my daily 69 f100 has almost 400k on it. put a timing chain and a valve job about...DAMN 15yrs ago!! think just keeps going. have a 460 on stand by but i really just want to see how long it goes for!! also have a 390 in the newest merc too. i think there cool:rolleyes:

    matt
     

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  10. scotts52
    Joined: Apr 7, 2008
    Posts: 2,797

    scotts52
    Member

    Ok so I am getting mixed reviews. Is there any market for them or just for ones self as a unique motor?
     
  11. Skrayp
    Joined: May 31, 2008
    Posts: 197

    Skrayp
    Member

    The 360 is a 70's(smog) version of a .50 over 352 and a POS. The 352 is a good base model FE but is notorious for cheap rings and burning oil prematurely. Other than that, with a modern day rebuild, is a damn good engine. Get the good 2 piece rear main seal instead of the rope seal, and you're golden. Any cam over .500 lift needs adjustable rocker arms. Often an overlooked engine, but a good one, despite it's shortcomings. Many people referred to them back in the day as a boat anchor, but they would last if you took care of them. Get rid of the stock nylon timing gears, too. 427/428 stuff is valuable. Good trading stock if anything. I have a 67 352 which is going in my 51 F1, and is the first engine I ever built. There is a good book on these engines published by Motorbooks International, and is the authority , as far as I'm concerned... on this series of engines. I wish more people used these.
     
  12. krooser
    Joined: Jul 25, 2004
    Posts: 4,584

    krooser
    Member

    The 360's were only used in trucks. All FE's are good engines... the heavy intake is the main drawback.

    I would imagine either engine would bring about $100 to $150.00 if rebuildable.
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2009
  13. bshepherd
    Joined: Apr 16, 2009
    Posts: 130

    bshepherd
    Member
    from michigan

    head over to the fordfeforum http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/
    so much info on fes it will blow your mind. I haven't decided on what the next project will be yet but I will be using an FE
     
  14. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,757

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    Welcome to the HAMB vendor consulting service and pricing guide.:D
     
  15. d2_willys
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 4,320

    d2_willys
    Member
    from Kansas

    I would think the 360 engine is not bad if you can find a 1970 or older version. They smogged them down big time in 71.

    But I have heard some stories about them not being all that good. Don't know what gives with them, but I wouldn't be afraid to use one from 1970 or older.
     
  16. BillBallingerSr
    Joined: Dec 20, 2007
    Posts: 651

    BillBallingerSr
    Member
    from In Hell

    The 360 uses a 352 crank and rods and 390 pistons. The piston about .100 in the hole. The CR is low low. 7.5-8:1. A 352 has the pistons down .028 and is around 9:1. Two entirely different engines. I have found 352s to be almost indestructable. The weight is a myth. Put a Performer and a set of headers on a regular 4V 352 you have 270-300 hp, reliable as the sun, mild as a limo, and cheap as any belly button to run. You can use the block and make it a 390 or a 410, the heads flow good for stock ones and they are tough and light for their displacement.

    A 360, well, not one of Fords better ideas, but a set of 340 Mopar cast pistons and rebushing your rods to fit the Mopar pins :rolleyes: Hint...
     
  17. whisky runner
    Joined: Feb 11, 2008
    Posts: 801

    whisky runner
    Member

    i have a 360 in my 71 pickup and it just keeps going..and my 62 galaxie just loves its 390 that replaced the 352...i have a 352 for my 63 galaxie but havent built it yet so have no opinion on that ..as far as resale good luck..i havent had any luck making anything on them
     
  18. Pir8Darryl
    Joined: Jan 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,487

    Pir8Darryl
    Member

    As already pointed out, the 360 was a truck only motor. Being as such, it wasn't subject to the gooberment emissions mandates like car engines were, but Ford did have to drop the compression and retard the timing to work with the lower quality [emissions friendly] fuels that were comming online in the 70's.

    Think about it logically, it's a TRUCK engine... Ford didn't make them to scream at 6000 rpm's... They made them to give good low end grunt and be reliable... As such, they developed a reputation for being dogs, but the reality is that a 360 can be an excellent candidate for an FE buildup if you can find [or afford] parts for it.

    As to it's "merket-ability", any FE is worth saving. No different than a flatty or a 348 W chebby engine... None of them were the greatest engines ever, but they were very good for the time, somebody out there will want it eventually, and if nothing else, they aint making any new ones... So they are just gonna get harder and harder to find as time moves along.
     
  19. If you want the engines for your own use I would say sure,the FE is a great engine with a lot of potential,but if you are just wanting to get them because you want to resell them,I would say don't waste your time and money because there are a lot of them around and the 352-360 is at the bottom of the FE totem pole. The 428 rods are nothing special if they don't have the long stroke crank attached to them.
     
  20. bshepherd
    Joined: Apr 16, 2009
    Posts: 130

    bshepherd
    Member
    from michigan

    a cast iron fe weighs around 630lbs fully dressed. an shave about 50lbs by changing intake to aftermarket, heads will shave around another 80lbs that will put you around the same weight as a windsor. for 1800 you can get a stroker crank rods pistons and cam that will put you at 410 and be internally balaced. Edelbrock heads will set you back about 1400. it would probaly be good for 400+ hp and 400+trq stock block will take it alll day, still cheaper than biulding big cube windsor
     
  21. BillBallingerSr
    Joined: Dec 20, 2007
    Posts: 651

    BillBallingerSr
    Member
    from In Hell

    Only the 428 SCJ and 427s got special rods, the "LeMans Rod" with a 7/16" capscrew. The 428 CJ even used 6.488 390 rods, just with 13/32" bolts. Part number is usually C6AE-C or C7AE-B, and they are common as dirt. ARP makes 3/8 bolts for a 390 rod that make them even better than a CJ bolted on because theres more material left. The 352/360 got a lighter skinnier rod, 3/8 bolt 6.54 length that I wouldn't be afraid of in the least. They are all forged, and the only time I have broke one was when something else broke first, even the "skinny 352 ones" The LeMans rod is a good rod, heavy, alot of guys prefer just a 3/8" bolt 390 rod. I've had mine over 7000 rpms repeatedly with ARP 3/8 bolted stock rods.

    The only disadvantage of any FE rod is that they have a skinny bearing for the 2.43" throw size. A BBC rod like the stroker kits have addresses this with the smaller journal, and the really fancy guys use a 1.8" throw with a Honda rod. It makes the bearing interface to the crank better, but for a 400-500 hp engine, the stock stuff will take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. Once you get up in the 600-900 range, then aftermarket parts are really needed, including the block, they will split the main webbing at around 550 hp unless you cross bolt them with some Program caps. That will go to about 700-750, above that a Pond, Shelby or Genesis block really is needed.
     
  22. Shifty Shifterton
    Joined: Oct 1, 2006
    Posts: 4,964

    Shifty Shifterton
    Member

    I think what you're seeing is regardless of "goodness" they're generally viewed as undesireable. Which usually translates into you ain't making any money unless it's free to start with.

    Could you use one reliably and be happy, sure.

    Could you sell one for the same money as a motor that's got a reputation for being reliable and making people happy? Probably not.

    366 chevy tall deck big blocks out of grain trucks suffer a similar fate.

    Good luck. I like schemes too. They lead to an interesting life.
     
  23. BillBallingerSr
    Joined: Dec 20, 2007
    Posts: 651

    BillBallingerSr
    Member
    from In Hell

    That pretty much sums it up. If you have a car that has an FE its good, and its a good swap candidate for other older stuff, great hot rod engine, but you won't make any money off of it except by the ton.
     
  24. BAD ROD
    Joined: Dec 16, 2004
    Posts: 1,532

    BAD ROD
    Member

    I would say there is not much market for these engines. I tried to give away a FE 352 for FREE that ran when pulled and couldn't give it away. I eventually hauled it to the dump and paid $15 to get rid of it.
     
  25. Relic Stew
    Joined: Apr 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,232

    Relic Stew
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    The 360 block is the same as a 390, and is a decent foundation if you want to build a mild stroker. The 352 isn't worth much because it has a smaller bore, and the larger bore 360/390 are relatively easy to find.

    If you are looking to buy cheap and resell for profit the return probably won't be worth the effort.
     
  26. fiat128
    Joined: Jun 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,426

    fiat128
    Member
    from El Paso TX

    That's unfortunate. I could have used it but I'm about 800 miles from you. Good thread though.
     

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