Ford 390 FE Engine Overhaul /h1>

FIND A GOOD CORE
 

Penelope, (owned by Bill Knighton) from Perth, North Western Australia, has kindly asked me to build a 'special' 390 to replace her 352 FE. Penelope is a beautiful '59 Thunderbird.

I am embarrassed to admit that this project has taken much longer than I expected.  It is purely my fault as I had pressing house issues.  Now that things are 'normal' and with Detroit's weather permitting, I am working more on this great engine and transmission build.  So far, this engine project has gone without a hitch.  The work is smooth and 'as expected' and all the parts are right, the first time ordered.

I want to thank Bill for his patience.  He has fronted all the costs without seeing hard results.
Taking pictures along the way takes a lot of time.  Hopefully, these pictures will show progress (and put Bill's mind a little more at ease).  - Dave

Disassembly	Assembly
General: Find a Good Core (this page) Engine Identification	Machining:  Block Machined Mike, owner of D&S Engine Specialists baked, shot peened, Magnafluxed, align bored crank journals, and deck block for 9:1 compression ratio. The crankshaft was ground +.010", rods were re-bushed and honed to size. Oil Modifications:  Block and Head modifications with explanation of the FE oiling system. FE Starter Motor:  Teardown and rebuild the original 1973 Starter Motor.
Top: Teardown Intake & Heads	Distributor:  Assemble, Recurve Advance, & add Pertronix II.
Bottom: Teardown Lower End 1   Freeze Plug, Oil Pump, Motor Mount, Dipstick Tube Removal Teardown Lower End 2   ID: Main Journal caps, Rods & Caps Teardown Lower End 3  Piston, Crankshaft, & Pipe Plugs Removal, measurements
Front: Remove Water Pump & Timing Set Cam Removal
Rear: Remove Transmission	Randy Carron at RC Trans & Gear - Overhaul and Retrofit C-6 Transmission to include 1st & 2nd gears from a Ford E4OD trans.

 

#1
I enjoy meeting fellow restorers and old school hot rodders.  In my search for a core 390, Bob Crain (left) advertised a complete 1973 390/C6 in Flint, Michigan's Craig's List.  Bob is an amazing character with a long history of collecting and building Fords.   I am here (on the right) to pick up the engine with my cousin, John Lambert.  It was freezing inside Bob's barn.

#2
Ol' Bob had his propane heater blazing, but it was still cold inside his man-cave.

#3
This is Bob's 1967 Galaxie 500, and yes, that's ice on the ground.

#4
Bob bought this car from the original owner.

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#7
The engine was ready to go when we got there.

#8
Just to be sure it's really a 390, Bob rotated the crank to TDC.  Then, I  pulled #1 & #4 plugs and marked the depths with a welding rod down the plug holes.  Sure enough, there was 3.75" between my marks.  That proved the crank has a 390/427 stroke.  352 stroke is 3.5".

#9
Bob and John are setting up the engine and trailer for an interstate highway trip.

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#15
Ok, we're ready for the hour trek back to my house in Royal Oak, Michigan.  

#16
Now, I have my work cut out for me...  Teardown is next.

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