Technical => Engine Swapping => Topic started by: mtippins123 on October 25, 2014, 05:06:02 PM
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: mtippins123 on October 25, 2014, 05:06:02 PM
i know a 351/302 will fit nicely in it but what about a 390. i have a lead on a 69 mustang 390 with a c-6 trans. can i still use a v-8 k-member from a v-8 t-bird/mustang? or is there something totally diffrent i have to do. i took rough measurements and it looks like it will clear the shock towers. not sure about exhaust and trans. i dont want to have to do alot of chopping of firewalls and things. and will a aftermarket k-member be better for this as opposed to a factory k-member. it would be nice to keep it as factory looking as possible. any help will be appreciated...thanks
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: cj750 on November 06, 2014, 10:20:28 PM
Physically it should fit. I've seen plenty of 429/460 engines in Fox chassis cars, and FE series engines are smaller and lighter than those. Although where you get motor mounts to fit an FE to a Fox K-member, I have no idea.
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: Haystack on November 06, 2014, 10:32:13 PM
Headman headers used to have to fox body header swap header. Truck double sump oil pan and a engine plate would get you there.
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: CoogarXR on November 07, 2014, 07:05:54 AM
I seem to remember seeing a 390 swap a few years back. I think it was on this forum. Later, when I get time, I'll search for it.
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: Drewstang on November 07, 2014, 08:46:36 AM
One of the guys local to me posts on here every so often has a race car with a big block, I think its a 83-84 T-bird. His username is 83-86Tbirdguy or something close.
EDIT- here is his profile: http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/member.php?1670-83-88T-Bird-Guy
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 07, 2014, 03:34:26 PM
Quote from: Drewstang;440283
One of the guys local to me posts on here every so often has a race car with a big block, I think its a 83-84 T-bird. His username is 83-86Tbirdguy or something close.
EDIT- here is his profile: http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/member.php?1670-83-88T-Bird-Guy
FYI guys:
A 390 is a FE series big block ford, which is a completely different engine than a 385 series (460) big block Ford.
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: Chuck W on November 07, 2014, 11:03:01 PM
Why...?
Big. Heavy. Slug.
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: 50tbrd88 on November 08, 2014, 09:10:39 AM
I don't know about "slug"...they take a little more money to make decent power, but are absolute torque monsters. I'd say in a street/strip type build it would be pretty cool and best of all DIFFERENT.
I'm working on a '73 Ford truck right now that came with a 360 FE. It had thrown a rod before I got it. I've got it torn down now and the plan is to stroke it using the Survival Motorsports "prison break" 445 kit (http://"http://www.survivalmotorsports.com/FE-Engine-Kits.html"). Granted mine will be more of a truck/torque monster build with iron heads, but a ton of classic Mustang and Cobra guys still use the FE series motors. I'm hoping mine will make close to 400 hp...
Go to youtube and search for survival motorsports or Barry R. He's got some really neat builds on there doing dyno pulls. He also competes in the Car Craft Engine Masters Challenge every year.
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 08, 2014, 10:43:03 AM
As far as Ford big blocks go I would rather have a 385 big block over a FE. I would want a big, heavy powerful slug. Unless you have a 428 Cobra Jet or 427 side oiler the FE is a slug with any factory parts. Yeah to can swap to modern aluminum heads on a FE but do the same on a 385 series and it will stomp the out of the FE.
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: 50tbrd88 on November 10, 2014, 03:00:30 PM
I like oddball stuff, so I'm still sticking to the FE! I like the idea of whipping up on 385 guys and bbc guys with a "slug", lol!
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: Beau on November 10, 2014, 08:05:16 PM
Why not just go with a stroked out Windsor. You can, with the right block, take one out to 427 cubes...and still be physically (externally) the same size as a 351w.
The 429/460 is nice, if I were going to do it, I'd go with a 390 though. mounts will be the biggest headache, and what transmission are you wanting. A C6 will be a tight fit, but with a 460, you'll have the same hassle. I've got a set of 460 mounts for a Mustang k-member. That was as far as I got before I decided to junk out that car.
To do anything with a 460, you're going to want to upgrade the heads and intake, whereas even with an early 70's truck motor, the heads still flow decently.
Get a crank, bore it, and make it a real beast. ;)
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: jangus on November 12, 2014, 07:46:57 PM
You do realize a '69 Mustang with a factory 390 is a pretty odd bird? Why molest it and remove the 390 to make a mutt? Any pics of said 'Stang?
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: Beau on November 13, 2014, 02:22:59 AM
^What he said.
Title: thanks.....
Post by: mtippins123 on May 31, 2015, 04:20:24 PM
Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;440442
Why not just go with a stroked out Windsor. You can, with the right block, take one out to 427 cubes...and still be physically (externally) the same size as a 351w.
The 429/460 is nice, if I were going to do it, I'd go with a 390 though. mounts will be the biggest headache, and what transmission are you wanting. A C6 will be a tight fit, but with a 460, you'll have the same hassle. I've got a set of 460 mounts for a Mustang k-member. That was as far as I got before I decided to junk out that car.
To do anything with a 460, you're going to want to upgrade the heads and intake, whereas even with an early 70's truck motor, the heads still flow decently.
Get a crank, bore it, and make it a real beast. ;)
thanks for the info. i really wanted a 351w since they came with a 302 the fit is pretty much the same. just happened that i got a free 390 that ran well when in the last car. all i need is a carb and couple odds n ends. and a cam (its got a granny in it....just for highways). i ended up finding that summit has k members built specifically for what someone wants to do, with in reason.....they can do one for 3-500 buck and will have all mounts in the proper places. also can take original suspension or after market parts. still not positive i am gonna do it or not but really leaning towards it. thanks again!!
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: mtippins123 on May 31, 2015, 04:24:54 PM
wasnt my stang and the guy wanted a 427,8,9 motor. he was trying to trade it for my '51 ford to trade for the motor he wanted but it fell thru. i totally agree about leaving the stang as it came (other than maybe hopping it up a bit)
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: crossboss on June 01, 2015, 07:32:16 PM
Contrary to what has been said on here FEs are not slugs. Go look who has been pretty much dominating the Stock and Super Stock classes since the 1960s..FE powered Fords…especially the 428 CJs. Now to the question at hand…yes FEs were made into a popular swap in the Fox chassis back in the 1980s when again, NHRA wanted to get the then "new" sheet metal Fox chassis into the Super Stock classes with vintage motors. Several racers were very successful with this combo. Engine fitment is easier/has more clearance than the 385 engines. Swap kits were available (possibly still are) and the FE engines are smaller and lighter than the 385 series 429-460s. Good luck with your swap! PS--IF I may add, go with a 428 CJ.
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on June 04, 2015, 09:03:21 AM
Slug is generally applied by the group who have only seen the the '70s truck 360 & 390(or maybe a old Galaxie/LTD 390) with the asthmatic smog heads and no compression... Even the 390GT in Fairlane and Stang were some what choked with a cork up the ass exhaust system... As mentioned the 428CJ are a stout engine especially with a good set of headers and sharp tuning, still the performance is mostly due to the heads that are patterned after 427 Lo-Riser...
Title: 1985 t-bird 390 swap
Post by: thunderjet302 on June 04, 2015, 12:21:16 PM
If one is going to build a FE they might as well ditch the factory head castings and get a set of modern aluminum heads.