360 FE advice

[Paintman77]

[image][/image]Hi all! First post here, I just inherited my great grandfathers 68 F100 LWB tobacco hauling farm truck. Truck sat for the past 10years, hauled it home and got it running. Compression is low on #4 and #8. I removed engine and transmission to begin my suspension swap. I’m looking for recommendations on where to go motor wise. I’d like to have decent enough power to make me smile, but I don’t have the experience to do it myself (I’m a paint and body guy). I’ve read about the 390 conversion, but I feel it’s a slippery slope from there. I’m surrounded by a gang of LS gurus. That’s what they suggest. I feel my great grandpa would haunt my dreams. I wanna keep the original engine. It has sentiment. 65,000 miles what do you think. I have another truck for towing, this would be a cruiser that I would like to be dependable enough to drive daily. I hope this makes sense. Again not much of a motor guy and I’m surrounded by Chevy friends. Aside from that they’re good guys.

[72Ranger390]

the 390 is a stroked 360. they are identical in pretty much every way other than crankshaft pistons and connecting rods. the blocks are the same

[Johnnewc]

Well you wouldn't want your grandpa haunting you in your dreams so you better keep the 360 or make it a 390. We all know that the 390 or 360 is way better sounding than one of those sensor ignition triggered engines.

[DuckRyder]

WE will haunt you

The 360 can simply be re-ringed and resealed if you have access to a competent machine shop and everything inspects ok, which is likely if it ran ok.

We all get wrapped up in making them completely right but if you just want a stock engine people have been slapping new bearings and rings in after a ball hone for at least 40 years. Ive done a bunch myself.

If you want to warm it up, it gets more complicated.

There are a number of FE specialist around the county that could handle it for you if want to have it done. Head over to FEPower.net. For FE specific information.

[basketcase0302]

I’m surrounded by Chevy friends. Aside from that they’re good guys.

Yes...Henry Ford himself alongside your GF will continue to haunt this truck if you put a chebby engine in it!
The 360 is hard to kill, (unlike the LS which has a lifespan of like one week).

Is there such a thing as a good chebby guy LOL?!

[sparky72]

WE will haunt you

The 360 can simply be re-ringed and resealed if you have access to a competent machine shop and everything inspects ok, which is likely if it ran ok.

We all get wrapped up in making them completely right but if you just want a stock engine people have been slapping new bearings and rings in after a ball hone for at least 40 years. Ive done a bunch myself.

If you want to warm it up, it gets more complicated.

There are a number of FE specialist around the county that could handle it for you if want to have it done. Head over to FEPower.net. For FE specific information.

[Mach428]

IF you need to replace the crank, I'd go with a 428. Using 390 rods and pistons you would have a Mercury 410. Same block. I don't know why Ford never offered this as an option since all of the parts were on the shelf. You would need to also go with a 428 damper and flywheel since the 428 is externally balanced.