390 in a 54 Custom

Sorry guys, Ive been getting my ass kicked at work, 7 12's, So I havent been on in awhile. Got a question. I have a chance to pick up a 390 and tranny out of a 65 thunderbird. AC and PS too. Has anyone ever put this in 1954 Ford Customline? Guy tells me its a straight drop in. But i dont know? Help.........thanks

 

It'll pretty much go right in. The FE blocks are pretty much bolt ins for any car that came with a Y block. You may have to change a few little things, but the overall dimensions and location of key components are perfectly suited

 

Thanks man, Thats all i needed to hear.

 

Here's mine.

Billy

 

Are the 390's a rear sump? Would it slip in a 50 merc?

 

Hey billy.........How does it run? ANd what if anything did you have to change over on the install?

 

shoebox, i have a 390 with the stock radiator as well, how does ur engine run temp wise, cause mine runs hot almost all the time, i just got a new 6 blade fan that i didnt put in yet, hoping it cools it better, im just wondering how ur engine keeps cool

 

Not on the cars (that I'm aware of anyway). However the 4x4 trucks with the 360/390s had rear sumps. Plentiful in junk yards. Obviously when you find one, don't forget the pick up and there is a braket that mounts to one of the mains. Also, grab that stud the bracket is attached to. When you take the bracket off, you will see why.

 

Engine mounts are for 66 ford truck.

 

FEs will fit drop in any care that came with a Y block because in '58 they started offering both the Y block and the FE (352) in Ford cars, and made the mounts and everything to correspond. I'm pretty sure the Y Block's run was from '54-'62, so a FE should fit in any of those. I'm not a Ford fan, but an FE is a BIG step up from the why?!-block

 

TP, FE passenger car engines are front sump & fit best in 54 & later chassis. But hey where theres a will theres a way.

Rodderboy54, It runs like a raped ape. Use a 63 & earlier bellhousing & it will bolt up to your stock manual trans.
I'm running a 63 galaxie T10 4spd.

Merc-O, I've been driving it quite a bit the last few weeks & I have yet to see it get up to 180 yet. It almost runs too cool.

Billy

 

I've owned several FEs over the years, and I always hear people saying "they tend to run hot." I have the same experience as shoebox72 in every FE I've owned. If anything, they run too cool. And I have never run one with a fan shroud. I don't know what people are doing wrong, just my experience. Matching the rad. is key though (as it is with any swap.)

 

Hey Shoebox , Im getting the tranny PS pump, AC compressor and motor. Can i use that tranny or do i have to use my old one?

 

Yes you can use the tranny on the 390. Some adapting/fabrication may be required for the tranny mount but it should be minimal if any. Use your stock 54 radiator if it is in decent condition. Get rid of the expansion tank on the 390 & get a regular thermostat housing of a later motor & use flex hose to hookup to the stock radiator. Also use a remote tranny cooler for the AT.

Billy