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I think I know how the 390 displacement was chosen
By Dave Shoe - 07/18/2001 11:30:49 PM; IP 216.243.158.60
I've wondered how Ford selected the various displacements for the FE.

The 332 and 352 of 1958 are easy to figure: They followed in the Y-block displacement increments of 272, 292, and 312.

The reason for the 361Edsel's displacement remains a mystery to me, but the 390 of 1961 seems to be a "one-up" response to the big-breathing Pontiac 389 which was the only performance motor to out-torque the 352HP in 1960.

Also note that the 352HP really was a kick-ass motor, reasonably rated at 360 HP. The tests in December of '59, when the option had just been released, had a Starliner clocked at over 150 MPH in a stock 352HP. The 352HP liked LOTS of gear (4.11:1 and numerically higher worked really well).

Unfortunately, between 12-59 and 2-60, the 352HP kit often got the wrong valve springs, so it would not rev past 5800 RPM without floating the valves. Lotsa people made lotsa noise about this. These kits just needed to have the correct valve springs installed, and they'd do the 6800 RPM they were supposed to do.

352HP engines built from March 1960 and later all got the good valve springs.

Just having fun with what I've read.

Shoe.
This thread, so far...
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Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7224&Reply=7224><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7224" onclick="return false;">Apparently, Edelbrock named the Ford-Edsel in '59.</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Dave Shoe, <i>07/15/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7224', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7224') }); </script>  Apparently, Edelbrock named the Ford-Edsel in '59. -- Dave Shoe, 07/15/2001
 Oh, also, "Log" manifolds refer to 12V intakes. -- Dave Shoe, 07/16/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7246&Reply=7224><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7246" onclick="return false;">So thats where it came from!! n/m</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Ed Jenkins, <i>07/18/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7246', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7246') }); </script>  So thats where it came from!! n/m -- Ed Jenkins, 07/18/2001
Collapse <b>I think I know how the 390 displacement was chosen</b>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Dave Shoe, <i>07/18/2001</i></font>I think I know how the 390 displacement was chosen -- Dave Shoe, 07/18/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7249&Reply=7224><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7249" onclick="return false;">I've often wondered why my 352 runs like it does..</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>ED Jenkins, <i>07/18/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7249', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7249') }); </script>  I've often wondered why my 352 runs like it does.. -- ED Jenkins, 07/18/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7250&Reply=7224><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7250" onclick="return false;">It sounds like Holman&Moody designed the 352HP.</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Dave Shoe, <i>07/19/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7250', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7250') }); </script>  It sounds like Holman&Moody designed the 352HP. -- Dave Shoe, 07/19/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7251&Reply=7224><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7251" onclick="return false;">Here's another soon-to-be familiar name.</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Dave Shoe, <i>07/19/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7251', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7251') }); </script>  Here's another soon-to-be familiar name. -- Dave Shoe, 07/19/2001
 I sorta get the drift that... -- Dave Shoe, 07/19/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7256&Reply=7224><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7256" onclick="return false;">RE: Here's another soon-to-be familiar name.</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Richard Bouman, <i>07/19/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7256', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7256') }); </script>  RE: Here's another soon-to-be familiar name. -- Richard Bouman, 07/19/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7257&Reply=7224><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7257" onclick="return false;">I just read it tonite.</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Dave Shoe, <i>07/19/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7257', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7257') }); </script>  I just read it tonite. -- Dave Shoe, 07/19/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7258&Reply=7224><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7258" onclick="return false;">He got 19 mpg driving to Bonneville, with air conditioning, too.</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Dave Shoe, <i>07/19/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7258', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7258') }); </script>  He got 19 mpg driving to Bonneville, with air conditioning, too. -- Dave Shoe, 07/19/2001
 I wish that my 352 would get 19 mpg. I'm lucky.... -- Ed Jenkins, 07/21/2001
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