What Ford motor to run?

Ok so I have a 390 with edelbrock intake, msd distributor and fresh heads, but I hate the width of the C6 and it needs rebuilt anyways and toploaders aren't cheap for FE's.

I have all the 302 or 351w and s/b top loaders or T5's I want (father-in-law owns a salvage yard)

I have been offered a trade... my 390 stuff for a 351 Cleveland (got trans as I said before)

What do ya think I should run?

going in a model A with all tube custom ch***is.

 

I like the FE better

 

I agree Fe, all the way!

 

Flathead!

 

#1 what is it going in?
#2 to install a cleveland engine might take alot of fab work to install
#3 if its a 351m its a boat anchor compared to the F E
#4 FE has way more GRUNT
#5 I like using numbers

 

What body style Model A are you planing on building? HRP

 

Its a four door model A cut down to an extended cab, fenderless and hoodless

Fab work is not a problem, the whole build is a fab.

No not a M/400 or something else.

I really want to use the 390, Wish there was an adapter for the s/b toploader to FE.

 

Numbers are cool!

 

390 or a y-block

 

ford engines are long,,that's why I ask,I built a Model A pickup and used a 289 and half the engine was inside the cab with me. HRP

 

What is the problem with using the top loader you have on the FE ?

Out of those engine choices, I'd use the FE.

 

And the # sign

The small block Top Loader would just need an FE bellhousing and, There are two input shafts, 1 1/16" and a 1 3/8" and there are two different lengths and end diameter where it goes in the pilot bushing, so you would need to swap out for the 390 FE specific input shaft, David Kee has them and as long as it isn't a 64-65 it will have the 8 hole case. There are three different case lengths, but this really doesn't affect anything during a swap. There are also 2 output splines, 28 and 31 - 390 abnd smaller all used the 28.
lastly there are wide ratio and close ratio, easiest way to tell is count the teeth on second gear, 28 tooth is a close ratio, 31 tooth is a wide ratio.

Personally I'd take the Cleveland over an FE - and I have one of each, a 4V 351C and a 416" FE in my truck.

 

You want the one with Fire Power valve covers

 

FE motors was my first love, 390 for sure out of what you have!

 

fear begins with FE.

 

So does FEMININE.

 

As does FEROCIOUS

 

Personally I'm a small block Ford/ T5 fan. They can make a ton of power, they fit most anything, parts are super plentiful, they look nice and they last and last even under abuse. FE's are neat and all, but dollar for dollar you can build a killer 302-based engine that looks right and runs hard far easier than an FE-based motor.

 

thanks Hotrod, I didn't know all you had to do was switch the shaft. I'm gonna look into that.

 

fe all the way baby!!!

 

While I do like and FE and wouldn't give a second thought to the price of a ****** if I had a good runner, I am real partial the the 351 Clevland.

I have owned a couple of hot ones and built several even a clevland headed 302 once for a fella who just had to have one. They can be made to run real stout without much work.


yea yea I know everyone thought that I am Mr SBC.

 

If you can't find a big toploader input shaft you can get them here http://4speedtoploaders.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/inputshafts.html

 

Kenneth the input shaft is the only difference isn't it?

 

Since you didnt mention yblocks I'd go with the FE.

Only problem is FE stands ****in' Expensive, like HD stands for Hundred Dollars, or BOAT stands for Break Out Another Thousand etc...

 

They had 2 different mainshafts also, one with 28 splines, and one with 31 splines. David Kee has those also.

 

The small-block toploaders have a slightly longer input shaft than the FE ones, some folks have shortened the shaft, but I prefer to just make a simple spacer plate to go between the trans and bell, and not modify the trans- IIRC, it took around 1/8"- but would have to check. There are small-shaft and big-shaft big-block ******s, a 390 would get a small, 427's, CJ's and such got the big one. And before the Chebbrainwashed start in, a "small" Ford input is basically the size of a HD GM shaft LOL. The "big" shaft just uses the input size of a Ford medium truck
A Mustang/ Cougar/ Fairlane/ Comet 390 trans would plug right in, the more plentiful and cheaper small-block trans works with a little work
Another sweet alternative is the later 3spd w/OD toploaders from the 80's, if you want to row it and get the OD. Same size and similar appearance, and usually go pretty cheap

 

I think you are talking about the T170F, commonly called the SMOD which was made for 78-84 F-150's and a lighter duty version for cars in 77-78 with smaller bearings. They were kind of a weird deal in that 4th gear was actually where 3rd gear would normally be and the flipped the shifter mechanism to make it work. It was replaced by the SROD (single Rail Overdrive) in Mustangs and such from 79-84 when the T-5 came out
And then there was the T170FT, commonly called TOD (Topload OverDrive). These were mainly a truck trans

None of these will handle a ton of power and the gear spacing is not ideal. I have blown up two SROD's, one in an 84 Mustang GT and the other in my Falcon

 

I'm with the FE school.......Had a 67 Galaxie with one, and it held it's own very nicely.

4TTRUK

 

I know a few people that thought they had a 4 speed, and it turned out to be the 3 speed with od. How to id an od toploader. http://www.davidkeetoploaders.com/imposters.htm