I need some input on a 390 FE I found

[rustyBob]

An FE out of a Fairlane would have the GT 390 heads with the 12 bolt pattern that would make a nice motor for a Cobra.........

[PJ4myboo]

I think I would rather get a 390 than a 360 but it may be worth a look. I'm planning on checking out the 390 this week. I found it on craigslist, too. Thanks for the lead, Bruce.

The 390 is a 2bl. Will it still have GT 390 heads?

[mr bruce]

3-390s http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/1341388944.html

[rustyBob]

If it is actually out of a Fairlane then yes even with a 2bbl.The shock towers made it impossible to use the 8 bolt heads on the Fairlane/mustangs.

[mr bruce]

another one http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/1342471471.html

[trularin]

That's good to know. I've been selling my 360 for $100 for a while. Mine is a four barrel.

I suppose I need to advertise more.

[convincor]

Originally Posted by trularin

That's good to know. I've been selling my 360 for $100 for a while. Mine is a four barrel.

I suppose I need to advertise more.

Where is it?
The 4V 360 would have came in a early to mid 70's P/U. and it could be a mirror 105 block...
I could use that intake on my truck project...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by trularin

That's good to know. I've been selling my 360 for $100 for a while. Mine is a four barrel.

I suppose I need to advertise more.

I think instead of asking for a C-Note, you should tape one to the engine for anybody that will haul that POS away.

[PJ4myboo]

Well, the 360 is much closer to my house, so I'm going to try to look at it tomorrow. I guess you are right for a $100 it could be a bargain. I just have to buy a crank and longer rods and I'll have my 390,right?!?!?!

[rustyBob]

There's no doubt that they are all over the place and 360 is not that much different (shorter stroke)than a 390 so anything you can do to a 390 can be done to a 360 so 100.00 bucks for a 360 sounds like bargain to me and the average guy isn't going to be able to tell the difference anyway only you and the machinest will know for sure what it is.

[rustyBob]

why not do a stock rebuild and run it that way and save the big bucks for body/paint........the 360 shorter stroke(3.50) compared to a 390(3.786) will rev faster and they have the same bore as a 390(4.05)........your machinest can put a 390 crank and rods in a 360 but your buying the same parts twice? why?

[convincor]

360 rods are real weak. you don't want to rev them

[PJ4myboo]

Originally Posted by convincor

360 rods are real weak. you don't want to rev them

Bingo. That's why I was going to change the crank and rods

[rustyBob]

then by the 390.

[PJ4myboo]

Originally Posted by rustyBob

then by the 390.

Bob, you have spoken words of wisdom yet again! I'm sitting here looking for a crank and rods saying "Heck if I'm buying that stuff I might as well buy the 427 size and if I'm going to do that I might as well get the forged stuff and....." before you now it my $100 engine will turn into big $$$ and I'll have an engine that I'm afraid to put into the car

This is getting a little maddening. Oh yeah, I forgot that's part of the fun

[MaSnaka]

Isn't overkill what Cobras are all about? I say if it were me I'd look at the whole package. What puts your dream project into the garage. I want all that top shelf stuff on my car too but after 5 years of ownership I have to remind myself at the time this was the best I could afford. For the last 5 years I have learned a ton and have had my Cobra too. BTW, it has a 390 and is a lot of fun. But those darn small blocks are puttin out way more HP.

John

[rustyBob]

you know it will all come out in the end result, if you put all that HP in your car and you are affraid to drive it then you went to far, I just think that if you start out a little on the conservative side its easier to add HP than it is to remove HP and the whole point is to ENJOY your Cobra not fight with every time you want to go for a cruise........i know i sound like a weener when it comes to HP but iam a former drag racer and i know what it takes to fast in a strait line and you just dont need all that to enjoy your toy......

[PJ4myboo]

Well, I went and looked at the 360 tonight and made a deal. It looks like it has never been touched, but we will find out. I took your advice and am paying $50 now and $50 after we get the block tested. My sons will have lots of fun getting dirty and tearing it apart...so will dad .

I will start a new post with some pictures of our progress. Thanks again to all for your advice and input!

Pete

[olddog]

Originally Posted by rustyBob

I just think that if you start out a little on the conservative side its easier to add HP than it is to remove HP.

I would disagree. You put an undersized carb (or restrictor plate under it) and you can easily take as much HP out as you want, and it is real easy to put back.

It is a real pain to swap out cams and heads after the engine is built. Even an intake swap is difficult on an FE. I would build it as healthy as I thought I would ever want it.

I personally find my Cobra to be the best handling car I have ever owned. Yea if you get stupid you can loose control, but I could do that in my Grand Marqui too. It is a matter of exercising good judgement. If you cannot control yourself, you might want to consider building a 331 FE.

Good tires makes all the differance in the world. Actually the tires are more important than the engine.

[rustyBob]

Cool deal you took the first step on your way to building a Cobra kit car,it only gets more complicated from here........look in never ment that a Cobra drove like a dump truck.My FE in stock form from Ford ran 30 plus years on tune ups and oil changes and 2 water pumps and a new fuel pump and had 165plus thousand miles on it........thats darn good in my book, so yes i say build it on the conservative side and take care of it and it will be there for you when you need or want to go somewhere,to me 400 hp is more fun than 600 hp and easier on the budget.