Thread: What engine to use

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Hi to all from the UK. Well here goes, first time out on this forum, half a century old and only just starting to find my way round Ford engines. Show me a CxxxY or a Hudson flattie and I'll work my way round it but right now I'm in the early learning curve stage with all these different blxxxy Fords and need some help making a decision so advice please.
A brief run down on where I'm at and what I want to do goes like this, This project is with a 1941 SWB Hudson pickup that is stripped down and ready to get rodded. The criteria is all Ford running gear which has to be,- BBF engine, toploader 4speed from David Kee and 9'' rear. Now I have a '75 F150 with a low milage 390Fe which I could rob the engine from and build up (I only want to have general street fun with this) or should I look for say a 460 or what? remember I'm a brit that has little knowledge of Fords but I do know what end result I want. This is not to be a high tech trick job I just don't know what engine to start with. what would you guys suggest? Thanks in advance.
Jerry....

Welcome to CHR, Hudsonguy!!! Sounds like a neat project, you'll have to post us some pics sometime. IMO, dollar for dollar on Ford motors, it's hard to beat the torque of a 460, especially if you go the 501 CI stroker motor route!!!!! The FE's will build some good power also. Only drawback is parts are a bit harder to find and a bit more expensive.

can any body tell me about a cadillac 472 big block and witch is the best out of the 500" 472" and the 425 cadillac big block engines

Thanks for your response Dave, I am seriously considering the 460 but have been told it's a heavy lump, what's the weight comparison to a390fe. I also own another identical Hudson truck that runs a 302ci which my son, still only 15 seems to have laid claim to so hence the second truck. Then we all say 'If I did it again I'd do this'nthat differently well I guess this time I can and bigger being better 'n all. And hopefully my son will be another youngblood entering this world of old cars, he's worried now that when it comes to driving test time he's first gotta learn how to drive a RHD car! ahh the joys of youth.

I guess I'm not sure of the weight differences between the two, the FE is no lightweight, either. I usually opt for the aluminum heads and intake on mine. They are available for either engine and result in substantial weight savings and power increases. And also a proportionate decrease in the old savings account !!! But hey, if it was cheap, everybody would be doing it, right????????

The '41 Hudson PU I had about 25 years ago had a Studebaker V8 in it, so what do I know..................but welcome aboard. The Hornet engine is a natural, especially with Twin H power. 7X would be even better.

My database shows the 429/460 to be 10# lighter than the FE's, 450 vs 460#. I'm with Dave, especially for street driving, torque are king (no offens to HRH).

I know what Dave and Bob are saying, but looking at the fact that you are in Britian, I'd say build the FE (course I am partial to FE's). Either way you'd get a lot of torque but as I read you're not looking for a racer, but a street vehicle. That's why I say build the 390. You'll like it. Plus you'd already have a good Tranny and rearend to go with it.