Technical FE engine shopping advice

An often overlooked, good performance head is the 68 390 truck head. It was modeled after the 427 medium riser head. I have used several of them and they are dirt cheap usually. Most guys ignore thru because they are "truck" heads. The 64 390 passenger car heads are pretty good also. Keep in mind that ALL these heads are geriatric these days and will need lots of work to be serviceable again, but worth it.

 

The D2 heads, put on trucks after 1972 have “ flame harden “ valve seat, more compatible with todays gas and flow ok! That is what I was going to run on my 462 and have them CNC ported…. But my go to guy closed his shop before I got my heads there!




Bones

 

The C8AE-H and D2TE heads are basically identical except for the hardened exhausts on the D2TEs. They are NOT "truck" heads, they are pickup heads- the FT "truck" heads are quite different. They have the high but shortened intake ports similar to the medium riser, and also used on many of the aftermarket aluminum heads. They also have a lowered exhaust port that is not good for power output, and causes mismatch with some manifolds and headers- most pickup headers are made for the lower ports

 

The C6 trans can be rollerized with some E4OD pieces, to help take away some of the drag, and all FE's look best with a Ford 6V.
Bones, I need those cast iron headers!

 

That's a bit misleading. Guys destroying blocks were running the crap out of them with factory parts. That's why Ford went to a built-in rev-limiter on the Cobra Jets, which was often discarded. You can push 500 hp before the block really becomes an issue.

Nobody mentioned, when shopping for blocks, look at the cam retention area. Early blocks (the first couple years, only 352's and 390's) used a spring loaded front cover to control cam movement. Not the best set-up, and of no use today. Later blocks used a cam retention plate. A MUCH better design. Just look for 2 drilled and tapped holes for the plate, or make sure it already has the plate. A machinist can easily drill and tap the block for one, but it is another step that would add cost. Not a lot of those early blocks out there, so it's not real likely you'll come across one, but something to look out for.

I can't remember exactly what year it was changed. 1960 or '61? MeanJean could probably say. He's got plenty of experience with FE's.

 

When I am talking FE and mention truck heads I mean pickup truck heads , as opposed to car heads. I usually say “ pickup truck” heads to avoid confusion. I just missed it this time F
FTs and FE are really different animals, save the block! And they have some differences, but the FT block can be used in a car or pick up with just a few modifications. I know you know these things, Gene. Just mentioning them for other folks.



Bones

 

It took me years to find this set! After I found them I ran into a guy at the Ft Wirth swap meet that had three sets! But he was proud of them!




Bones

 

Always check bore and stroke as well as whether or not it is 2 or 4 bolt engine mount block as this may impact on fitment. Pre 65s used 153t flywheels whilst later use 184t flywheel with different starters. Later 184t flywheels can be used on early engines provided later starter is used.
Be aware that Ford truck (FT), Mercury Edsel Lincoln (MEL) engines may look similar to Ford engines (FE). All FEs share the same bellhousing bolt pattern however pre-64 passenger manuals use narrow bolt pattern.
Plenty of information on centre (Top) oiler and side oiler 427s (Low, medium and high riser), marine engines, solid lifter and hydraulic lifter blocks etc etc. Lots of engine options available with stroker kits.
I previously had an 390 in my OT 66 Fairlane and now have a 427 in my 64 Fairlane.

 

Probably the last early style cam was the '62 406 piece, C2AZ-6250-A, which was basically the same as the 352 and 390 solid hipo units except for the hardening process. 63s should have the retainer plate and the C3 aluminum timing cover. It is very easy to convert an early block to the plate, last one I did was in '76. The late starter can be used with the early flywheel with an adapter drive from John Vermeersch

 

We used the 1958 Police Interceptor heads, with machined combustion chambers, made pretty good power in the 60's.

 

The bell housings were changed in 64 I believe. I scored a new in the box MSD high torque starter only to find that it did not fit my 61 wagon.
Early/late