FE FORDS, why dont more use them?

That's what I want to hear.....I am going to drive the living dog***** outa this car.

 

Food for thought, before you tackle this project --- Ford changed the front suspension design in '57 and started using the FE in '58 (332, then 352). The 390 is a bolt-in for a '58.
Good luck with the Merc!

 

F.Y.I. I have a pair of 58/59 FE cast Exhaust manifolds if you find the 60 and up sits on the steering box. We can make a deal. I know the conversion has been done and an Old friend had one but I never paid much attention to what was done. The only 2 issues you may have is Trans case clearance to floor and the actual trans rubber mount. Motor mounts shouldn't be any problem. Just be sure they are mounted the correct direction for Firewall clearance.
The Wizzard

 

Cool man that is the info I need.

 

I am not sure of the engine year but soon I will find out, I will probably need those manifolds for sure and I will let you know, thanks Wizzard.

 

This picture was taken in the middle of August; that's how cool FE powered cars are!

 

My dad had a '55 Fairlane Club Sedan 2dr with a hot Y-Block. I always wanted to ressurect it and put a Tunnel Wedge 2X4 427 in it, but rust got it. This was his daily rain or shine, Two tone green, and many of an hour I treasure helping him wrench it. I used to do his points and tune and adjust the valves. I even got to****emble the last 312 he put in it and it was really wicked, small chambers and popups with a real lumpy cam. Lost him to cancer at 73 yrs a couple of years ago, he was an old school hot rodder. I wish we could have saved it. The dog dish hupcaps on my '65 Gal are polished '57 Custom 300s just like what we had on the '55. Just a little memory there.

 

I bought a set of used truck headers for 50 bucks. New flanges are available for 75 bucks. I will dissect them for parts. These will be fine after bead blasting. The collectors look good enough to use. I plan on getting them coated after fabrication.

I am planning to do something a little different. Rather than the bag of worms with the equal length primaries, I'm going to make them look more period... similar to the Hedman's that were sold back in the day for engine swaps. I know they won't produce as much HP but I'm not going to race it anyway. I want them to look old. Not patina wise, just design wise. I may go "Tri Y". Most people won't "get it" but I'll know.

I love your car... Bob37

 

Troublemaker, are those heads Bluethunder or Edelbrock?

Either way, how do you like them?

 

Nice story. It's great to have memories like that of our loved ones that have passed on. My dad didn't have a whole lot of interest in cars, but he tolerated my car crazy antics and tried to show an interest as best as he could. I took him for a ride in my '62 Galaxy 406/405 sedan when I bought it in '64 and for some insane reason, I went through the gears with him in the car. Prior to that, the fastest thing he was in was a '38 Pontiac. He said; "What the hell is wrong with you, I should gave never signed for this car." Bob

 

My project '32 is having a FE 360 in it. Hopefully it'll get a full rebuild out to 390 eventually, but parts are hard to get over this side of the pond. I really did want something different than the usual 350/350, and I think I've got it without going too exotic.

Coming out:



Going back in:



I have an ally intake, which will go on in due course, and also a 6/71 blower kicking about to play with some day.

 

I have just gotta remember that expression dude.

 

Parts may be scarce over there, but have you considered a stroker engine? Barry Rabotnick at Survival Motorsports http://www.survivalmotorsports.com/
has developed a 445 ci stroker kit based on the basic 360/390 block. He is running a good special for the holidays on it. He has all of the valvetrain, heads, etc to build a stout engine to fit your budget. I don't know how he does UK shipping, but he was with Federal Mogul for years in management and is well connected. Give him a call, he is right out front in FE development, and has had some strong finishes every year with the FE in the Engine Masters Competition. Great guy to work with too. If nothing else he can help you find what you need over there. But I am nearly sure he does business in the UK.

 

Check "Bob37" here. He has one in a '56 Ford, would be the same thing. Also someone posted a website here," http://www.survivalmotorsports.com/ " . They have the kit for a Ford, would be the same for a Merc.

 

Thanks for the info. I've run across his name before, checked out the website, just need to make the decision to tear into the motor really.

With gas costing $10 a gallon over here I'm forced to keep an eye on gas mileage too.

Mind you, just building the 360 into a stout 390 would give plenty enough power (and probably better mileage than this low compression 360 ever will)

 

Check out the FE Powered social group in the networking section of your account. All of us FE guys can help each other out.

 

This ones in a 62 Unibody. EDC Heads, Sanderson Headers, Crane Cam, E-Bok RPM, 3310 Holley.

 

I just bought some Chebby big block headers to go on my FE motor. They're pretty close, just a little tweaking to get them to fit into the new flanges I had cut, and she'll be good. Nobody seems to make headers for the FE in this type of style, and these work out far cheaper than making my own from scratch, cost about $250 from Summit, smuggled into England in my luggage after a holiday.

 

Yeah, a bunch of them thought that when the '60 FORD 352/360hp hit the streets, but they had a problem.

 

I've been an FE man for years and years, and I'm really not that old to start out with. I've put tens of thousands of miles on FE motors with no issues whatsoever as far as reliability. I currently have 5 FE powered cars, none newer than 64. Gas is getting cheap enough to start driving them again on a more regular basis as soon as winter moves on out of here. Even my good old 352 Galaxie has mountain climbing torque and dishes it out all day long with a sound that can't be beat.

Here are few pics of a 390 in another 64 of mine that I just gave a good cleaning and detailing. Its had the 427 stickered valve covers for years, but since an early 60's 390 was rated at 427 ft-lbs. of torque, I don't feel bad fooling everybody unless they ask. Sometimes old guys go crazy when they see it and I can't get a word in edgewise to tell them its really a 390 before they walk off. Hate to ruin their day so sometimes I just keep quiet.

 

man i wish i could get a set of those shorty factory cast headers to fit my frame... Headers on a 58 is a Joke. and not worth it.

 

2wd had the 390's. My 74 4 x 4 has a 360 kinda a torque monster with a 2v. That will change quickly.