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 |  Sorry for the outage...a storm knocked out the web-server. [n/m] -- Mr F, 06/22/2003
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 | Headers for FE in '86 Stang -- Boyd, 06/21/2003
Does anyone know of headers that are made for an FE in a fox body. I've recently scrapped my '67 Marquis for the lighter '86 stang to put my slightly built 410 motor into. With a few mods I've gotten the stock exaust manifolds to fit for now. The only thing I've came across are flanges from Eds Headers. I don't have the machinery to custom build headers so if anyone knows of anybody that sells headers for an FE in a fox body please let me know. Thanks in advance. |
 | Wuzza Hi-Per block? -- cuzncletus, 06/21/2003
A friend swears he has an FE with the letters "Hi-Per" cast into it. The motor came out of a Mercury (year unknown), is original red, and is attached to an automatic. I haven't seen it yet and don't know if it's a solid lifter motor or not. I know no early high performance motors came attached to automatics. Anyone ever run into one of these and are they anything special before I lug another orphan motor home? |
| ![Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=17564&Reply=17560><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a> <b>Hmmm...I've never seen nor heard of such a thing. [n/m]</b> -- <font color=#0000ff>Mr F, <i>06/21/2003</i></font><br /><blockquote>n/m </blockquote>](/WebResource.axd?d=5j1V7IJBhc-qdmzmrXlobkhAICKSvSncwqb0xjAd5TX0ACGuaKAXogAMi4xQgtrRcCD3h9c5Eb2rEw6mj54BQN9uf1WWYP8oApYJr_0s9gQbRpF4P26BjaIBa64tSGUM0&t=637814653746327080) | Hmmm...I've never seen nor heard of such a thing. [n/m] -- Mr F, 06/21/2003
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| | | RE: Hmmm...I've never seen nor heard of such a thing. [n/m] -- cuzncletus, 06/27/2003
Yeah. Me neither. Only this guy is a Ford racer from way back and owns a junk yard but he's a pretty sharp guy. (Used to be a UAW regional Union rep and bought the 'yard as a retirement hobby.) If it pans out, I'll be back with more info/questions. |
| | | | 406 blocks often had the letters "HP" cast in. -- Royce Peterson, 06/28/2003
Be careful though, there are plenty of stories to be bought. Buy the engine, ignore the story.
Royce |
| | | | Cast in or stamped? -- Dave Shoe, 06/28/2003
I've never heard of Hi-Per on an FE casting.
Is it cast into the block, or was it stamped in by someone?
Posting some photos would help teach us something.
Shoe. |
| | | | | RE: Cast in or stamped? -- cuzncletus, 06/28/2003
Neither. This motor was taken to the owner of a local transmission shop who used to race FE's and considers himself knowledgeable. He told the junk yard owner to take it out and save it as it was a "High Performance" motor and said so right there on the, uh, uh..... we never could find it under the grease. So the junk yard owner took it out of an I'm sure very fast 1965 Mercury Colony Park station wagon with air, ps, sundry bells and whistles that added up to about three tons. Looked to be a garden variety 390 hydraulic lift motor to me. So goes another pursuit for the elusive pot of gold.
Did find a good "backwards 105" block with the extra webbing in the bottom end, though..... What are my chances on making 4.13 in the bore with that? |
| | | | |  | Bore it to 428? Chances are not good. -- Dave Shoe, 06/28/2003
Most MCC blocks have reinforced cranksaddle webbing, some have external ribbing on the skirt, but only a minority have thicker cylinder walls. It's been published that 105 blocks all have thicker cylinders, but we've learned a bunch more since that hit the bookshalves 20 years ago.
The "drill bit test" will put you onto the right track.
Note that thin cylinder walls in any engine block mean you will be throwing away horsepower as well as creating a fragile block. Rigid cylinders make horsepower by improving cylinder seal and good cylinder seal also prevents piston skirt overheating.
reference this old post:
http://jcoconsulting.com/forumfe/reply.aspx?ID=16629&Reply=16617
Shoe. |
| Concours correct '69 390? -- garrett, 06/21/2003
I was wondering if anyone out there has a factory stock '69 390? I'm trying to do some research for mine, as far as hose routings, and well basically to compare. If anyone does, is it with or without T/E? did any '69 390's come with thermactor? mine didn't, the heads aren't drilled for the tubes or nothing, it was built in Dearborn delivered to Pasadena, CA. Well, if anyone wants to compare notes, let me know.
thanks,
garrett |
| | | One thing I've learned about Thermactor... -- Dave Shoe, 06/23/2003
...is it was an option on any FE from 1966-on.
Thermactor was mandatory on California FEs sporting the large-overlap GT/PI cam in 1966-67, and in 1968 the whole country got in on the act, making Thermactor a requirement on all 1968 390GT engines.
To keep car prices down and profits up, Ford deleted the GT cam option from the 390 in 1969, thus Thermactor was not mandatory on the 390 in 1969. The Holley was replaced with the less costly Autolite carb, as well.
For $46.00 I doubt you had too many takers of Thermactor as an option, however I suspect some cities or counties in California or New York might have mandated Thermactor, even on mild cammed FE engines with 2-barrel carbs. These places were probably under pressure from the EPA to clean up their act or face fines, and all new cars sold within the most polluted counties may have gotten the extra pollution controls.
Of course, I'm just guessing at this, but it puts logic to the fact that some 390-2V engines came with Thermactor.
Also, IMCO is basically a car without specific emissions controls added. IMCO simply recalibrates the carb and distributor to burn leaner than in earlier years, whereas Thermactor adds an exhaust gas reactor that allows the carbs to be factory-jetted richer.
Shoe. |
| | | | RE: One thing I've learned about Thermactor... -- Stan, 06/27/2003
My 67 Fairlane 500 390 2V auto hardtop came with the Thermactor stock |
| | | | | Do you have the window sticker? -- Dave Shoe, 06/27/2003
If you've got an original or repro (Marti Auto Works) window sticker, it might tell whether the Thermactor was installed as a mandatory option or something like that.
I know that California and New York were in a panic about pollution back then. I suspect yuor car may have been born a California car, as only California required Thermactor on all GT-cammed 390s back in 1966-67. The whole country followed suit in 1968.
I suspect some counties in California may have required Thermactor on all FEs back in 1966-67, but am just guessing right now. Maybe someday we'll learn the real logic behind a mild cammed FE with thermactor.
Maybe the buyer just said, "Give me all the options", or maybe the dealership learned how to pull a profit selling thermactor as an option. It was $46.00 option in 1967, but I suspect Ford priced the option at a no-profit price, sorta the way car manufaccturers sold seatbelts as zero profit options in early 1960s vehicles. Still, the dealer may have made some profit by getting the option box checked on the order.
Just pondering.
Thanks for offering the verified sighting.
Shoe. |
| | | | | | Nearly all 1966-68 Fords delivered to CA rec'd. Thermactor. [n/m] -- Mr F, 06/29/2003
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| | | | | | | Strange. -- Dave Shoe, 07/01/2003
This is quite interesting.
California seems to have gone off the deep end in the early years of emissions controls.
Thanks for the tip.
Shoe. |
| | | | | | And, far as I'm aware, T/E was mandated by no other state. [n/m] -- Mr F, 07/01/2003
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| | | | | RE: One thing I've learned about Thermactor... -- stan, 06/28/2003
No I don't. Remember, Shoe, this car was delivered in California. |
| | | | | | Hi Stan Palma. I didn't realize this was you. -- Dave Shoe, 06/29/2003
As discussed by email, I still want that 2V engine. Not that I'll ever get it.
I believe it was in learning your 2V was from California that seeded the idea it may have been a countywide or citywide type of requirement in some parts of the state.
Cool info.
Shoe. |
| | | | | | | RE: Calif. was standard -- Gerry Proctor, 07/01/2003
My H-code Calif. Fairlane was equipped with the full brunt of smog equipment including an ignition vacuum advance delay box made by Carter that withheld vacuum advance until the engine temp came up (you never even hear of this little device coming up in smog equipment discussions) but I can't say whether this would be a FoMoCo or dealer installation but it does have a FoMoCo part number. My car also has a handy blue windshield sticker announcing that this gas pig was a clean machine.
I still have all the stuff and I'm sure that it will make for some lively discussion for archiologists (or my inheritors) when they go through my mountain of car parts. |
| | | | | | | | Sure - that's the ancestor of today's EEC. :-) [n/m] -- Mr F, 07/01/2003
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| FE 390 Tall valve covers -- Goodold71, 06/20/2003
I am looking for FE tall valve covers to clear roller rockers on my 390 ci .Does anyone know where I can buy some ?? |
| | Looking for weiand Valve covers for SBF 289 -- Jose, 02/10/2005
I am looking to buy some weiand valve covers. Does anyone have a set and are willing to part with them, please mail me
Thanks jose
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| P38 Lightning -- Al Phillips, 06/19/2003
www.p38.com has an audio clip of a P38 cranking up. Open the site & scroll down a bit to the second crank up offering & click on it. You may have to download the MEDIA PLAYER. Crank up the volume & enjoy! |
| | Would that be "Glacier Girl"? n/m -- Orin, 06/20/2003
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| | | 'Glacier Girl'? Do I hear a joke about frigidity? ::LOL:: [n/m] -- Mr F, 06/20/2003
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| | RE: P38 Lightning -- Al Phillips, 06/20/2003
Next time you're at a tractor pull Mr.F., I hope someone brings an ALLISON powered tractor to refresh your memory about the raw power the have. To answer your question, not exactly but if memory serves, this bird was lost in Greenland for 50 years. Orin: I tried to email Wild Bill to confirm but email was returned. Perhaps you coul try. |
| which motor should i use -- chris, 06/19/2003
all right. i have two 390s, a 460, and a 302. i think i want to build the hell out of one of the 390s but i was tould to skratch that and to hold out till i find a 427 or 429. what should i do? the 390 i would build is out of a 68 ford f100. the 460 is out of a 77 ltd. i was thinkin to get the edelbroch aluiminum preformer 390, 428 cobra jet heads. as well as the single-plain preformer intake. and roller rocker, crane cams cam: 280 dur- 580s/590s lifts. as well asforged pistons and crank.
if i did any othe rmotor id be lost but worth the risk if ill have more power.
so what should i do? oh yea, why do they call them "FE's". |
| | What model & year of car would this be for? [n/m] -- Mr F, 06/21/2003
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| | | RE: What model & year of car would this be for? [n/m] -- chris, 06/21/2003
well i might just put it in my 68 f100 ranger for now but i am looking for a 67 68 fastback. but regardless of what i put it in i wantit to be bad ass. |
| | RE: which motor should i use -- lenny, 06/22/2003
well, this is the f.e. forum, and i love the 390 to death, so if you do go with th f.e., forget the performer and at the very least use the rpmseries if your wantin to haul ass.
try one of the repop 427 grinds for a cam, and throw in a set of 360 slugs.
port match the heads, re-curved ford (or your choice of aftermarket) dist., a nice 750-800cfm holley d.p. and a 2400 stall coverter. add a good set of headers and exhaust, slap in a set of 4:11 or 4:56 gears (depending on tire size) a nice shifter and kit and have fun! |
| | | lenny what did you mean? -- chris, 06/22/2003
forget the performer and at the very least use the rpmseries if your wantin to haul ass.
try one of the repop 427 grinds for a cam, and throw in a set of 360 slugs.
port match the heads, re-curved ford (or your choice of aftermarket) dist., im new at this so in english please. |
| | | | I love my FE but... -- James, 06/23/2003
If I were going to build a good truck motor on a budget it would be the 460. Cheap parts and they run so good with no oiling or leaking problems. In my opinion it is the best engine Ford ever made. I just hate how darn heavy they are. Fully assembed they weigh in at 720 lbs verses 670 lbs for the FE. Do not ask what FE stands for. It is the FE forum beach ball. That question will get passed around like a cheap bottle of wine and still not be answered ot everyones satisfaction. |
| | | | RE: lenny what did you mean? -- lenny, 06/26/2003
OKAY, the edelbrock performer intake is not a performance manifold, but a great intake on your f-250 camper special with a tired, undercammed 360, so, at the very least use an edelbrock performer rpm or f-427 intakeas these are fairly cheap and offer good bang for the buck.
camshaft; there are a number of excellent grinds out there, I just happen to like the old 425/427 cam cause it sounds nice, performs well in a daily driver, and I am a bit nostalgic.
360 pistons, because once again, cheap! nice flat top with a good deck height n 4 valve releifs, when used with the right heads will provide 9.5-10.3 compression.
heads; every one has there preferance, but Ill just use any old passeger car head that comes along for a street bomber, give em a three angle valve job, stick with the old iron guides, and port match the intake to the heads, a simple job for your weekend entertainment, and throw in a good set of springs to keep stuff from gettin together when you take er past 6000 ( and you will) and causing you to waste more valuable fun time. this is a very fun to operate package that will impress your buddies on friday night and keep you constantly replacin those rear tires on a regular basis. okay, now for the bad news, this combo promotes some pretty high cylinder pressures and is a pain to tune for pump gas. As for any thing else, you can do as much, and spend as much as you like, and others will naysay and say you gotta do this or that. I am only offering my opinion on what i consider the best CHEAP fun package that i pesonally like.
And by the way, the 460 is actually the best bang for buck if ya allready got one, and is much more tolerant of todays fuel. Having personally installed one in my 64 f-100, runs mid 13s @108 trough the pipes on 275s and pulls my 24 foot camp trailer full o beer like a dream.
But, as stated earlier; this IS the fe forum...... |
| | For a truck, I'd build up that 460 - lots of torque, cheap. [n/m] -- Mr F, 06/23/2003
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| Looking for a project car -- new at this, 06/19/2003
when i start looking for a project car to work on what key places should i look for i mean i know the wheel wells the truck and all the generic ones but like what really can make a purchase a good deal. would it be better to buy a car with an engine already in it or stick with just a rolling chasis? How do i get rid of rust and make it like new without using bondo? |
| 360 good for some 428 CJ mods? -- Mark V., 06/19/2003
I am in the market for an FE engine. I already snagged a good 428CJ intake. A local salvage yard has a '68 Ford Truck with a complete 360. Are the CJ intake and exhaust manifolds easy bolt ons, or am I gonna have to swap or modify the heads as well? I am also planning on putting a 428 crank in there too. Advice? Thanks in advance. |
| | RE: 360 good for some 428 CJ mods? -- Pete, 06/19/2003
with the correct pistons and rods you will have a 410. 422 is easy to achieve, whereas a sonic test would have to be used to see if you coud make it a true 428. I have a 360 that was opened up for a 428 piston. It sonic checked real well, plenty of metal. I would use an aluminum manifold as the cast iron versions are very heavy!! Get a performer rpm of Edlebrock f427 etc. |
| | | RE: 360 good for some 428 CJ mods? -- Mark V., 06/19/2003
I planned on using 390 4V pistons, but wanted to use the 428CJ manifolds for better breathing. |
| | | | RE: 360 good for some 428 CJ mods? -- Pete, 06/19/2003
they'll work but are expensive. Headers would flow better and be cheaper. |
| | | RE: 360 good for some 428 CJ mods? -- cuzncletus, 06/20/2003
I've got the same combo, albeit with a later model 360 block and the crank from a 410 Merc. 30 over works out to 416. It runs in a heavy car (62 Galaxie) with Edelbrock aluminum heads, aluminum CJ manifold, and Sanderson shorty headers. It runs high 13's but pulls 106 through the traps, spinning badly with as much street tire as I can get under it. I'ld recommend the Edel. heads. By the time you find some good FE heads, have the machine work done, and stick some new valves and springs in them the cost difference is negligible and you'll never get a FoMoCo head hogged out on the exhaust side like the Edelbrocks are. Ross makes good pistons for the 410 combo, .030 over. By the way, if you've never done this before, you'll find FE's are EXPENSIVE to build. |
| Fuel pump ecentric (cam) -- Ian Dobson, 06/18/2003
Excuse my spelling,
where might I find a fuel pump cam for my 390, ford lists it as obsolete and I can't find one anywhere :(
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