which would you prefer. This is not a daily driver engine so the gas mileage is not a concern. Where is a good place online to order crate engines or blocks? I've seen a few but cerious about reliablity.
What engine 351W or big block 390
- Thread starter darkness falls
- Start date
dodgestang
Active Member
darkness falls said:
The 351w is without a doubt the better choice here. The 390 has long been considered a boat anchor, I won't argue that point 'cause any motor built right will be lotsa fun. However, there is a MUCH stronger after market for the 351w. If you are looking for BB power, you can easily stroke out the 351w to 393 or 408 (and I think the wrist pin oil problem is no more with some of the kits available) and have a much flatter torque curve than you could imagine, more RWHP with a less racy idle (or a racey idle and more power than you could know what to do with
) and the beneifts of a lighter motor for better handling.
i would build a 393 stroker based on the 351w. iti s lighter and makes more power than the 390. asf or buying crate engines, there are many places that sell them, like jasper engines, coast high performance, ford racing parts, DSS, etc. all of them are pretty good, but i would recomend double checking the assembly anyway regardless of whether you get one from them or your local rebuilder, or even direct from ford. 98% may be perfec out of the box, but there is always that 2% that slip through the cracks.
SadbutTrue
Founding Member
another vote for the 351w, not necessarily because it can make more power, but because aftermarket parts are so readily avaliable, its easier to. The aftermarket for the FE engines is very limited in contrast, though in stock form a 390 is more powerful than a 351w (although not so much to set off its extra weight, in my mind).
blueovalguy
Active Member
Another vote for the 351W. More parts availability, and lighter weight. If you feel like you have to use a big block, why not go with a 428 instead of the 390?
EL1NOR
Member
Another reason I'd vote for the 351W (not only cuz I'm doing a 408W) but because if you get the big block you've got to worry about suspension upgrades, etc. Unless your car already was a BB car. So the price of the BB, then all of the mandatory upgrades... ESPECIALLY BRAKES for that big thing... I dunno, it just makes sense to stick to the SB.
-Tim
-Tim
The 351W is going to have a lot more parts available than any other motor except 289/302. Ws your car a BB GT to begin with?? Even if it was the springs might be worn out (mine were). The FE series would be great for nostalgia reasons, but parts are rare. As for a 429, I have one. It is fast and torquey great HP, but it is a b**ch to work on and get performance parts. It is a very tight fit insde the 67 engine bay. I can show a picture if you want.
Oh this car is a mess, it will already need new front and rear suspension. I have a engine tech guy that will help me for free but I was going to talk to a man in missouri that builds engines, his son works at Missouri mustangs; its were I got the car. I really want an eye turner that roars down the street... and something that will eat riceburners like no tomorrow.
I've built a 390 fe before. solid cam about the same specs as you showed...it was 15 yrs ago 66 gt 390 fairlane ! It broke the rear shocks off of the car! whole lot of go power. with the motor, lets see h2o pump hose if you blow one you need to pull the h2o pump yah thats a good one, how about pulling the intake,you have to take off the rockers &pushrods yep thats fun, the rocker arm jurnels sp where cool, I had some solid cro-mo shafts, with billet spacers between the rockers instded of the springs Broke a shaft once..along with bent pushrods when it went it took the threads out of the head oops! I miss the car, but not the fe! oops forgot the car used to eat up presure plates? kept a spare one at home never figured that out. car was totaled by a drunk cop @ 7:30 in the morning
1320stang
Founding Member
Check out FordFE.com for FE stuff. You can score a complete 390 pretty easy for $100 unless you live near me (as I can't ever find any). Bare Edelbrock heads run about $1000 near same as SBF stuff. As stated about, you can build a 500 hp 390 really easy, heck Scat makes cast stroker cranks up to 4.25" that are on Ebay for $500 all the time. They have the BBC rod journal so you know rods are easy to find and fairly cheap. But they are heavier than a SBF and wider. About 4 or 5 companies making heads and 2 or 3 making blocks in both cast iron and aluminum. Several intake choices, they run shaft rockers stock which is what Hemi's and the race SBF & BBF run. PA makes C4 bellhousings to adapt to the FE too. I'd say to get the same amount of torque and HP out of a SBF you'd spend about the same money for either. The problem is finding a machine shop that knows something about FE's, you're everyday Chevy builder probably won't know some of the tricks of the trade in building these engines and keeping them surviving.
i'd go for the 390. no replacement for displacement, and so going with the FE is chepaer that way. plus, like they said, you can get some seriously big cubes out of it if you want. they aren't that great with factory stuff, but with minot improvements can be made into GREAT runners.
that's not to say that the 351w is bad, i'll prolly build one up for my car when my 302 craps out...but if i had the choice, i'd go 390 as well.
that's not to say that the 351w is bad, i'll prolly build one up for my car when my 302 craps out...but if i had the choice, i'd go 390 as well.
If your car is an original big block car, go with a 390 ( or any other FE series motor) As far as the "boat anchor" comment, I've got a 68 Merc that's got a mostly stock "boat anchor" 390 in it that weighs in at 4200 lbs and runs mid 14's. Imagine what that "boat anchor" would do in a lighter car. I had an original "boat anchor" 390 67 fastback that ran low 14's in stock trim, with a 3 speed Toploader,and a 3.00 geared open diff 9"rear. If your car is a small block car then I'd recommend a 351C instead of a 351W.
bud4660
Founding Member
blkfrd said:
Like the man said, anything you want can be bought. I am fixing to build one for my S code car. I was amazed at whats being made today for these motors. Plus there is some new stuff coming out real soon. FE's are alive and well.....As someone thats run everything but a Y block I can say FE big blocks are my choice. I also have a 429CJ sitting in the garage from a past racecar project. No its NOT for sale.......
darkness falls said:
The 390 can be a real powerhouse but I'd go with a 351W with Cleveland 2V heads. Its different and can make over 450HP easy while being VERY reliable. The parts to build a Clevor are easy to find and not that expensive. The intake is even easy since you can get spacers to use a Winsor intake with the Cleveland heads. Other than special pistons and a minor mod to the heads everything else is right off the shelf.
I have a set of STD bore pistons for a Clevor that I'd be willing to sell so all you'd need is the heads, intake spacers and your favorite Winsor intake and your good to go.
Paul
The Windsor offers up a lot of possibilities that the 390 may or may not have . . . like fuel injection, roller setups, and all.
Ultimate power? For a driver with lots and lots of money, you can sc a fuellie-roller Windsor stroker . . . which would be evil. Not that I've thought of it . . .
I'd put pen to paper and see what your hp/$ ratio is going to be. Then I'd look at how much you're going to drive it versus how much it's going to cost to maintain. Figure out the most logical choice, you know?
Then make an impulsive decision based on coolness factor!! LOL!!!
Ultimate power? For a driver with lots and lots of money, you can sc a fuellie-roller Windsor stroker . . . which would be evil. Not that I've thought of it . . .
I'd put pen to paper and see what your hp/$ ratio is going to be. Then I'd look at how much you're going to drive it versus how much it's going to cost to maintain. Figure out the most logical choice, you know?
Then make an impulsive decision based on coolness factor!! LOL!!!
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