Thread: rebuilding 352 FE

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I have a question for you guys. is it cheaper to rebuild a 352 or a 390?

I know that they are basically the same block and that all FE engines are $$$ to rebuild. I'm just trying to find out wether or not i should rebuild my 352 or buy a junked 390 and rebuild it? and also is it true what they say about FE's its cheaper just to buy a crate motor instead of trying to rebuild one?

thanks for any answers,
John

what are you planning on using it for?

If your doing a stock rebuild they are both about the same price wise. Good 390 core engines can be found for around $100-200 tops. You can also overbore your 352 to 4.05 std 390 and pickup a 390 crank, rods and slugs. Quite a few options....

G.

hi. another thing that you can look in to is a410 merc block, it's the same bolt and you end up with a 428 crank, trust me it's a stumppppppp puller, good luck.

The 352 is a 4.00 bore with a 3.50 stroke, and uses the slightly longer rods. A 390 is 4.05 X 3.78 and shorter rods. The thing I would be concerned about when trying to convert a 352 into a 390 is getting the bores sonic checked to determine that there will be enough meat left in the cylinders after a .050 overbore.

Another way to go is find a 360 block from a light duty truck and swap in a 390 crank and pistons... or buy one of those Scat cast 3.98 stroke cranks, you will end up with a 410.

The 352 and 390 blocks use the same wall cores when cast. Overbore to 4.05+ won't be an issue. They are pretty much the same block. A 17/64" drill bit shank should be a snug fit between the wall cores. You access them through the freeze plugs holes.

JMO, G.