I have a 59 T-Bird that has the original 352 engine in it. I also have a 84 T-Bird with a 5.0 in that. Can I get some HP out of that year 5.0? I really don't want to rebuild the 352. Maybe get a higher horse power junk yard engine, and be done with it. But what kind of car should I look for to have it's engine?
In a world where everything has had late-model engines dropped in, I would think twice about ditching the original y-block. You can get some speed parts and nice dress-up stuff for it, and an og y-block looks kick ***. Just an opinion.
I just read on another forum that I could get some good HP out of the old 352. Maybe I'll re think this.
You should rebuild the 352. If you don't want to tie the car up put a rebuilt 390 in there. An FE will be way cooler than a 302 in your `Bird, plus it's a drop in.
What I didn't mention was I was going to use the ****** from the 84 Bird. I think it's a C-6, right? Will the 352 bolt up to it? I have a lot of work to do to the body, and interior, gl***, top, ect. I'm tring to keep the cost down. I can do most of it myself. Engine to all the rust repair, and paint. This car must have sat for over 20 years, so I'm ***uming everything is bad. The carb is missing, and who knows whats inside the engine.
i'd stick with the 352. i'm not a ford guy, but those old y-blocks can make some decent h.p. with the right parts. plus, they just look really cool. i had a 55 ford panel truck with a 352, and 3 on-the-tree. the motor was bone stock, and that truck would light the tires up pretty good for as heavy as it was.
***uming the ****** is good. What year Ford for should I look for to get a 390 or bigger? I'm really a Chevy guy, and just getting into Fords with this project.
No the ****** in the 84 will not bolt up to a 352 or 390. The reason I say build a 390 is because they are cheap and will bolt in place of your 352. Me I'd freshen up the 352 `cause I like em. That `Bird will be awesome!
A 352 is a FE engine, not a Y. The original 352 could be rebuilt, or upgrade to a 390 (or 427/428, if it fits the budget.) I'm not an expert on Ford interchange but I suspect the Thunderbird transmission won't bolt up to a FE block (did the 5.0 ever come connected to a C-6?)
The 352 is not a Y block, its an FE. Its also cool.... A 390...well, thats 38 cubic inches cooler...why are you looking to use the other trans? There are small block c-6's...but I think in '84 its gonna be an AOD, right? The FE has a round bell, and I would guess a Cruise-o-matic behind it, with a cast iron case. Are you looking for overdrive? .
does the motor turn over by hand? if its not frozen find a carb and see if it will fire off. i have fired off motor that were frozen from sitting and they ran fine.
Ah Yes yes I realize that . I meant fe. For some reason i'm stuck on saying y-block? Anyway doesn't blue thunder make trip deuce and 6 deuce manifolds for the..(slow down and say it right,paul) FE motor?
I'd up grade the 352 to a 390 or lager FE strokes that Speedomotive has. Then top it with Edelbrock alum heads and intake. Should make 350 to 400 HP plus and be able to run pump gas.
Find an old cop car with a 428 PI. These things have a ton of torque and the'll push that sled as fast as you could want to go. Hell they used the PI in some Shelbys. And watch out to much HP and that Bird will try to FLY!!
Ford Galaxie and T-birds from about 64 to 70 with the FE used a lot of C-6 Transmissions. The FE is a really great torque motor and with the weight of the 59 you will need all the torque you can get. Most dress up parts made for a 332, 352, 390, 406, 427 or 428 will all fit this motor. A couple of important items to look out for with an FE. The oil system needs help to work well with higher RPM - There are several books that explain what needs to be done and a number of sites on line that address this issue. Second issue will be hood clerance with most after market manifolds unless you add a scoop. You can find 3-2 setups for the FE at most any good swap meet. They tend to run about $1,500 here in Texas with Carbs and linkage. There are actually two different Ford 3-2 manifolds and you will need one from a T-bird. They can be identified by having all three carbs at the same height. The Galaxie ones had them a different heights. Good luck with your build, Scott...
I raced FE engines for years. A 360 or 390 can be had very cheap as they were used in tons of light trucks in the late 60's early 70's. VERY torquey motors with lots of after market parts available. They are real stump pullers, and if you cam them right turn into tire fryers. They are big, and heavy, but also very good looking. Stay with the FE. I will be putting one in my Coupe. Hopefully with a manual ******. For now I have a C6. Torque can kill ******'s so they put the C6 behind the FE's. Hope this ID chart helps you identify your ******. The late model one will not fit behind the old FE. It has a unique bell housing. -Dave
Oh and one last thing. A 390 and 360 have the same bore just a different stroke. You can swap in the rotating ***embly for a 390 into a 360 block. So don't turn your nose away from a 360, it can be made to run! -Dave
Please just PM me. a stock newer c-6 needs a different cross member with an FE than the original fordomatic/mercomatic. I've done a few of these swaps & they can be easy if you use the correct fuel pump ,oil filter mounts & alternator mounts etc.... If you put in dropped spindles you may/will have some oil pan interferrence issues. Nice part about 59's is the inside power brake chamber, but leaf rear springs (great in 59 &60) as 58's had coil which ****ed. The trans change is easy but you may need a shorter driveshaft but with the stronger trans the swap is well worth the change. Take a look at my post about my son's 59 bird. He & I went way overboard. Like custom headers moving the axle back shaving the chrome etc. Weight is not an issue if you use an alunimum intake manifold & headers, they are only 40# heavier than a 350SBC with cast intake & ramshorns. Y-Blocks were not installed in 58-60 birds only 352 FE's & 430 MELs. Movin/on
WOW, Thanks you guys. I never thought I would get a response like this. I like all the idea's, and info. I think I will stick with the FE engine. I have a close connection with Pick A Part Wrecking Yard. I can put the word out to look for a Bigger FE motor. I think the idea of trying to start the original motor is a good one. Then I could see if the ****** is good. Keep the info and idea's coming.
So here's the next thought. What if my engine and trans isn't good? What newer engine and trans combo should I look for? It would be easier to find this combo than a vintage engine through Pick A Part. Should I look for a newer Lincoln, Merc, or truck engine? The newer power trains have power, and gas mileage too. Would a V-10 be a good choice, or a 460?
1. http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/ 2. repeat above 3. I'm glad at least a few of the HAMBers who posted gave you some good info on FE's. I'm still amazed at the confusion that surrounds them with non-Ford people. Follow that link above, join and you will find more tech-info specific to FE's than you'll ever possibly use in a lifetime. 4. The motor mounts changed around '65 so don't get a late 60's FE. Heck, just tear your own motor down, have it sonic checked and simply bore it .050 if it checks out (most 352's can my machinist told me). That gives it the 390's bore. Then all you need to do is get a 390 crank, rods & pistons (352 rods are longer). I try to tell everybody that a 352 is no boat anchor, it's a 390 waiting to happen. 5. You're not going to get good gas mileage no matter what you do (in my opinion). It's a 4000 lb. or more steel tank with a big V8, it just won't happen.
"4. The motor mounts changed around '65 so don't get a late 60's FE." Sorry, incorrect. The 1965 and later FEs added bolt holes on the block for different motor mounts. No problem using them in an earlier car!! It is using an earlier block in a later car/truck that can cause problems!!
I installed a complete 68 428/C6 T bird FE, in a 59' Ranchero and it almost bolted in. Even the driveshaft fit! It did it in my driveway, fired it up and drove away.Really hauled the mail too. Dont know if your T bird is the same but should be close.
My Ranchero would peg the needle with the original 332 /2bbl. carb. With a 428 I would run the tallest gear you can get ,the 428 wont care, and it will give decent mileage on the road, FE is a good engine.
Shhh! The small block Chevy people don't want you to know Ford was dishing out a cheap 300 hp engine in the late `50's that would kick their ***. It took the combined efforts of the AMA ban/scam, hot rod magazines, sanctioning bodies and the aftermarket equipment manufacturers to create the perception that the sbc was the end all be all. Yeah it was primarily because it was not often forced to compete "head to head" with more potentially powerful designs like the FE Fords. Don't believe me? Check the history books. Don't listen to the propagandists.
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