hotted them up, seem to me like not alot gets done with them, can they make big power and are aftermarket heads pistons cranks etc available! or does everyone opt for 351's, 429's or 460's. This is purely out of interest, dont see too many fast street strip cars running 390's, love to hear any great storys about experiences with them
rob_man,
Sep 23, 9:40pm
I think the GTA that Steve McQueen drove in the movie Bullit may have been a 390, someone correct me if I'm wrong.
rob_man,
Sep 23, 9:53pm
From Wiki. The 390, with 390.06 cu in (6.4 L) true displacement, had a bore of 4.05 inches (102.87 mm) and stroke of 3.785 inches (96.14 mm). It was the most common FE engine in later applications, used in many Ford cars as the standard engine as well as in many trucks. It was a popular high-performance engine;[31] although not as powerful as the 427 and 428 models, it provided good performance, particularly in lighter-weight vehicles. The 390 cu in (6.4 L) 2v is rated at 265 bhp (197.6 kW) @ 4,100 rpm, while the 4v version was rated at 320 bhp (238.6 kW) @ 4,100 rpm in certain applications. Certain 1967 & 68 Mustangs had 390 4v engines rated at 335 horsepower (250 kW), as did some Fairlane GTs and S code Mercury Cougars. When the 390 was first offered for 1961 model there was a 375 horsepower (280 kW) High Performance version that featured an aluminum 4bbl intake manifold, cast iron "header" style exhaust manifolds, 10.5:1 compression ratio and a solid lifter valve train. Many of these cars came with an aluminum 3x2bbl intake manifold in the trunk that was meant to be installed by the dealer and raised the engine's output to 401 horsepower (299 kW).
frd1,
Sep 23, 11:55pm
There's been a lot more interest in FE engines in recent years and more stuff is coming available for them
lookoutas,
Sep 24, 12:50am
Did you eat the book rob! The Bullitt car was a 68 GT with a 390, and going by the soundtrack it was a manual - but that doesn't mean it was. The Dodge lost at least 2 hubcaps, but it always had a full set.
My son-in-law has a 63 Galaxy with a 390. Got a cam, 4 barrel and extractors - go's and eats gas.
Edit: and just out of interest, GTA was only a 67 car, But I'll get called a train spotter now.
rob_man,
Sep 24, 1:56am
My memory is playing tricks on me, I thought that car had GTA stripes and I'd say it was a manual too based on what I recall of the movie. It sure as hell did a good skid.
It was definitely a 68 GT, and one of the two is still alive.
beaker7,
Nov 1, 5:18am
I'll put my 2 cents in I have a 66 lincoln with a 462 ci they are a MEL motor . The motor is going good now but if it start playing up would i be better off going to the 460 ci motor !
tantric5,
Nov 1, 1:53pm
I had a 67 GTA Mustang with a 390 big block.the HP ratings were downplayed by Ford back in the day. Mine was pretty standard motor wise bar headers, carb, air cleaner and exhaust. Went fast enough for a young adult thats for sure.
But you're right.don't see that motor used in rods much.prob not a alot of them around compared to other offerings
xpfairmont,
Nov 1, 4:07pm
or after market parts
neville48,
Nov 2, 3:05am
they love petrol no matter whether they are 265 horse or 335 horse they just love petrol and lots of it.
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