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 |  Thanks, Mike McQuesten -- mikeb, 12/28/2001
Appreciate your advice and posts |
|  | RE: gee, thanks.... -- Mike McQuesten, 12/28/2001
This is a good forum with a lot of nice guys. Thought I knew a lot about our friend the FE but I've learned more from many here and I've had to go back and do some readin' & researchin' old materials. I've also found it inspirational to my current project which is taking me way more time than I'd planned......like that's something new, huh? Anyway, thanks. |
 | X code v. S code -- Chris, 12/28/2001
I have a '68 Mustang convertible with a 390 2-barrel (X-code). I haven't researched it yet, but I'm interested in the differences between the X and S code. Obviously, the intake and carb are different, but what about the heads, cam, etc.?
Someday, I may want to convert over to an S-code and I'm trying to get a handle on what I'd need to do.
Thanks,
Chris |
|  | For basic specs, click the 'Engines' button. [n/m] -- Mr F, 12/28/2001
n/m |
| | | RE: X code v. S code -- Chris, 12/28/2001
Thanks. There's some interesting info there. |
| |  | X code versus S code -- Royce Peterson, 12/28/2001
The "X" code 390 2V was available only in 1968 Cougars and Mustangs. They are rare but not particularly desirable compared to the "S" code 390-4V. These engines are largely the same except:
1. All the "S" code engines recieved Thermactor smog. That's right, all 50 states and Canada.
2. The intake and carb are obviously different.
3. The cam in the "X" code is a real snoozer. The GT cam is a little better but still a taxicab grind compared to anything else made then or now.
4. Head castings are C8AE-H on both engines. The "X" code heads weren't drilled for smog, the "S" code heads were.
5. Exhaust manifolds, blocks, cranks, pistons and anything else fundamental to the engine are all the same.
Recommendations:
1. Install a better cam and lifter set. Comp Cams 268H is a great all around cam to match the C6 auto that is behind every "X" engine.
2. Install an aluminum intake. The Edelbrock Performer matches the small intake ports on those H heads nicely and takes 60 pounds off the nose. Either a Holley or Edelbrock 750 CFM carb works nicely.
People at car shows might disagree about smog installation on 1968 390GT's but the FOMOCO literature does not list a non smog 390GT engine for 1968 model year. There were 390-4V engines in full size Fords and Mercurys with Autolite carbs and no Thermactor but those were not S-Code GT's.
Enjoy!
Royce Peterson |
| | | | RE: X code versus S code -- Chris, 12/28/2001
Thanks! That's exactly the type of information I was looking for. |
| Pin height -- Louie, 12/27/2001
do the 360 and 390 pistons have the same pin height? |
| | Doubtful... -- Dan Davis, 12/27/2001
...the 360 has a stroke of 3.50 while the 390 is 3.78. Both have a 4.05 bore. I don't know the 360 rod length, but I would guess that it is the same as the 390.
Cheers,
Dan |
| | RE: Pin height -- Bob, 12/27/2001
Yes they do; the connecting rods are different. |
| | Sometimes yes, sometimes no. -- Dave Shoe, 12/27/2001
Some 360 truck motors do use full-slipper skirted 390-4V car pistons in them.
Other 360 truck engines use dedicated 360 semi-slipper skirt pistons that will not fit into a 390 at all.
Some 360 truck pistons have a piston similar to the 390-4V car piston, but without any sort of dish.
When comparing the 360 with the 390, it's important to note the 360 piston may sometimes be similar to a 390 car piston, but it's far different from a 390 truck piston.
Shoe. |
| | | there is a difference -- Jack, 12/27/2001
Due to the stroke difference from the 360 to the 390 the pin heigth is different. If you install a wrist pin in both pistons at the same time and compair the tops you can see the difference. Due to the large deck height of the ford blocks (the distance from the top of the piston,to the deck on the compression stroke),you can put the 360 piston with a 390 stroke and have what they called a 4V 390. All this does is put the piston closer to the top on the compression stroke and increase the compression. This is a preimum fuel engine only. |
| | | | Not always. -- Dave Shoe, 12/28/2001
Some 360 pistons are identical to some 390 pistons.
Identical. Same exact pin height. Same exact piston.
Shoe. |
| | | | | RE: Not always. -- Bob, 12/29/2001
Shoe is correct. |
| re; correct carb spacer -- David Siedschlag, 12/27/2001
For a 67 cougar with an auto trans., no air cond. "S" code 390 with a holley carb. with out smog equip. what would be the correct carb spacer to be used on this. I have the carb at last and now need to know this bit of advise. Thanks David |
| 7 litre Galaxie -- Eyes, 12/26/2001
I have the opportunity to purchase a 7 litre Galaxie for a good price. It is described as being rusty and is probably good for parts only. I'm not interested in the car and will part it out....only interested in the 428 for a Shelby clone project. I presume this motor is good enough for that application. Is there a quick visual inspection I can make to assure that the engine is indeed a 428? Help with a vin number or visuals to make sure it is a 7 liter?
I am dubious to begin with because he also is advertising a 73 429 Mustang convertible as "last year of the big block/big body combo." I don't believe the 429 made it past 1971 in the Mustang. I'm not really interested in a misrepresented 390.
Thanks,
Eyes |
| | RE: 7 litre Galaxie -- Bob, 12/26/2001
The only way to be sure is to pull a head and check the bore and stroke as all 7 Litre VINs will show a 428.
You can check the stroke without removing the head. Get a piece of 12 or 14 gauge house wire and remove the white wire. Get fine tipped magic marker or a pencil. Remove a spark plug. Put the wire in the spark plug hole with wire resting on the top of the piston. If you press lightly down on the wire it should move up and down with the piston when the engine is turned over. Position the wire so it moves vertically with the piston. Set the marker tip against the wire so that it leaves a mark as the piston moves up and down as the engine is turned over.
Measure the mark on the wire. 3.98 is the stroke for the 410 and 428 engines; 3.78 is the stroke for the 390, 406 and 427 engines and 3.5 is the stroke for the 352 and 360 engines.
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| | | RE: 7 litre Galaxie -- Mac, 12/26/2001
the 429 was put in mustngs past 71 |
| | | | No Factory 429 Mustangs or Cougars past 1971 NM -- Tim B, 12/26/2001
Nm |
| | | RE: 7 litre Galaxie -- Eyes, 01/04/2002
Bob,
I just got back in town and the car advertised is indeed a 1966. Thanks for the info on how to verify the engine size. As soon as the "Blizzard of 2001" is over I hope to get to inspect it. (Hope it hasn't already been sold)
Thanks again for all your excellent info.
Eyes
PS. Still looking for a Weber intake for a SOHC. Reasonably priced that is.............. |
| | More than a Q code . . . -- Orin, 12/26/2001
A true 7 Litre Galaxie (1966 only -- in 1967 it was a trim option only) will have not only a Q code engine (428) but has its own body serial code as the 3rd and 4th characters in the VIN.
The hardtop is a "61" and the convertable is a "63". A hardtop VIN would look like 6N61Q123456.
But if all you care about is the engine, well, a Q code is a Q code, and this bit of trivia is unneeded.
Have fun and go fast. |
| | | RE:'67 7 Litre more than trim... -- Mike McQuesten, 12/26/2001
Hey Orin, I think the '67 7 Litre was more than trim. You're correct that there was no longer a specific body serial code for the 7 Litre. But that 7 Litre trim package you mention did get the Q code 428 engine. So wouldn't a '67 7 Litre trimmed Galaxie XL have the 428? I have a local friend who has a '67 Galaxie XL with the 7 Litre trim package and it's a definite Q code 428.
Also, I believe the 427 both in R code(dual fours) and W code(single four) was an available option for the '66 & Litre. I know the Q code 428 was standard but the '66 literature I have indicates the 427 was optional. I've never seen a '66 7 Litre with either optional 427 but you never know..... |
| | | | RE:'67 7 Litre more than trim... -- Royce Peterson, 12/26/2001
My friend Rory Matlock of Sulfur Springs, TX owns a 1966 W code 7 Litre convertible. It is red with red interior and a 4 speed. Engine and tranny are missing though. He is short of space in the barn so it sits in the pasture with the top down getting rustier all the time. Sad to see a car that rare going to waste! I saw it about five years ago up close, was salvageable still at that time.
I think the 1967 models are equally as desirable, they can be documented through Kevin Marti so a special VIN code isn't necessary to be sure. You just have to pay Kevin to look in the original FOMOCO records and he sends you the report. The 67's are quite rare compared to the earlier 7 Litre Galaxies..
Royce Peterson |
| | | | | RE:That's rare! -- Mike McQuesten, 12/27/2001
Indeed, a '66 7 Litre W-code, single 4V, 410 horse 427, is one rare Ford.
I've seen one rather rare '66: A Galaxie 500, Champagne Gold, Black interior, bench seat, R-code. That was in person, in May, '67. Test drove it. It had 9K miles on it at that time. Same as my '66 GTA. Just $500 boot & my 'lane couldahadit. Shoulda.
I was offered a '66 Galaxie LTD, R code. It was in Tacoma, WA, about four years ago. Like your friends 7 Litre, it was minus engine/trans. Also a very rare and actually weird combination, an LTD! It was candyapple red, black vinyl top, and the deluxe cloth black interior.
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| | | | | | RE:That's rare! -- Mac, 12/27/2001
if i found a q code car or a even a L COde Calaxie with a cammer id keep the car as a whole unless it is rust bucket but we dont havce rusty cars out here so i think id be coller to keep car as a whole |
| | | | '67 7 Litre more than trim... -- Orin, 12/27/2001
You're probably right.
What I think I was trying to say was that only the '66
7 Litre had its own body code serial of 61 or 63 as the 3rd and 4th character in the VIN. It is my understanding that in 67 the 7 litre was "VIN'd" as an ordinary Galaxie 500XL (?) hardtop or convertable but you could add the 7 Litre package, which included the Q code and other trim pieces.
Here's a couple of 7 Litre sites:
http://www.wctatel.net/web/crye/7litre.htm
http://www.ford.7litre.com/mainpage.htm
I think I've confused myself enough for one day. |
| | Oops! RE: Mike McQ's comments -- Orin, 12/27/2001
the previous post was an answer to Mike McQuesten's comments. |
| | RE: 7 litre Galaxie -- Eyes, 12/27/2001
Thanks guys for all the info. I know nothing about the 7 Litre. If I remember correctly the car was advertised as a 1968 so already we know that it can't be a true 7 Litre. If the engine proves out to be a 428 I will still be happy.
Thanks again,
Eyes |
| Merry Christmas -- Mac, 12/25/2001
so what dod you all get i got nothing im still waiting on the FOMOCO community to chip in for a 427 Block for me |
| salvage yard -- T1m, 12/24/2001
I'm in Louisville Kentucky for the holidays and I decided to stop by the salvage yard to look for another 2 barrel carb for my 68 galaxies 390. They had plenty but wanted 50 dollars for one carbuerator. Does that seem like too much? they also wanted 100 dollars for an A/C compressor. Everything was non-refundable but had a 30 day guarantee or replacement.
On the way out I pointed to a huge blue V-8 sitting upside down on the ground. The driver said it was a 390. It's hard to believe how big those engines really are... |
| crankshaft -- dennis, 12/24/2001
according your experiment, a 030`` crankshaft (428 SCJ external balancer) can make the deal with approximately 450 hp.
thanks dennis |
| Season's Greetings, from Fo-Ho-Ho Obsolete! -- 'Santa Cross', 12/24/2001
Best wishes to all the participants and lurkers, everywhere!!
 |
| | RE: Season's Greetings, from Fo-Ho-Ho Obsolete! -- R Dreamer, 12/25/2001
And a happy New Year to you too! |
| FE FoMoCo historic details Baffled oil pan history -- Robert, 12/24/2001
I came across a mint C9 motor less then 100 mile . It was wild taking her apart. Most outstanding was the collection of dated parts. C7ME-A block. C8 heads, C9 water pump, Steel shim head gaskets, big bore C8 oil filter adapt., 6/68 dated bearings, yellow valve springs with big orange spats and green separator springs between rockers. Interesting also was the painted (black)exhaust manifolds and elaborate heat shields.
The thing that stumped me was the use of a BAFFLED OIL PAN sort of a crank stripper design welded to the bottom of the pan and extending down to the sump.
When was the baffled pan introduced and what engines/models got it? |
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