school me on FE motors

[ImpalaSlayer]

im looking to build my 360 into a decent street engine. im shooting for show where around 450 rwhp. im assuming anything 390 based would bolt up since they use the same block. im just not sure the best way to go about making this much HP. any insight from the old school guys would be great

thanks, Dave

[yjmud]

stop with the 360 and find a 428 to start with it

[boatmangc]

stop with the 360 and find a 428 to start with it
Or at least a 390

[ImpalaSlayer]

Or at least a 390

360 and 390 are the same motor except the stroke is longer. what would the point of this be when im looking at stroker kits anyway?

[frdwrnch]

I agree not to build a 360 cu in FE. I may be wrong but I think an early 390PI, HP,GT, or 4V would be stronger. Stroker hi compression motor w/aluminum heads would be the way to go. I have a 390 GT Mustang and a 1967 390 Ranchero. It's a shame it's almost easier and cheaper to build a hot small block w/similar performance and less weight. BUT FE torque is legendary!

[illwood]

The later 360 FE blocks were a truck only block and actually have thinner cylinder walls than the early ones.

If you are keeping the stock heads, the exhaust side can stand some mild porting.

Last thought, if you put a 428 crank in it, you will have the Mercury 410 :thumbup:

[Joe Walsh]

Nothing wrong with a 360 FE engine (the 360 truck blocks might even have more material in them....?)
4.052 bore for a 360 or a 390 FE
Drop in a 390 crank and rods if you want a lot of cubes.

I'd check out a set of Edelbrock FE heads and an Edelbrock FE aluminum intake.

Compression ratio with new heads might be a problem.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_new/mc/cylheads/ford/fe_perf_rpm.shtml

They don't list a 360 for the heads...might want to call them and check compatibility.

Maybe use their #2106 cam upgrade also.

You'd drop 150 lbs off the motor with the heads and intake and add 100 HP.

No sense reinventing the wheel:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/450224-advice-for-360-engine-rebuild.html

http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/search

Personally, I'd opt for a 2x4 bbl 427 FE stroked to 468 cubes.....:D