Thread: 390??

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What a great site ! Glad I stumbled across it !! I have a 72 mustang with a transplanted engine. I was told it was a 390. I wasnt really worried what it was at first, but i think Ive been bitten by the auto bug. I want to know more now. Numbers Ive been able to find so far. Block .. 46 and 352 below that ,,then 12(i think) stamped below that.
Intake .. C6AE 9425-G ... and ..979 and a "3"
exhaust manifold C8AE 94AE-A
The valve covers lap the intake and there is little space to see any numbers between the centre spark plugs on the heads.
firing order is 15426378
Any info would be appreciated

Its an FE series motor. If its a 390 Bore-4.05 stroke-3.78 In the FE forum motors section there is a big post on identification.
Don

The C6-G intake is a 66 390 GT item. Hopefully the rest of the engine is also. A nice engine with 335 hp and 427 tq in stock trim. The block casting numbers are probably generic meaning the same numbers were used on different bore blocks. The heads however can be ID'd by that number between the plugs. Date codes off block and heads will help also but you'll have to remove the valve covers for the heads and crawl underneath for the block. You can measure the stroke through a spark plugs hole. I can fill you in depending on how far into it you want to dig. G.

Thank you for your replys. I will look again for the rest of the numbers . Thanks again !

Try removing the starter and looking above that on the block, you won't be able to see it with the starter in. Sorry! If it's a hp block it will have screw in freez plugs. Also ford put XXX'S on alot of there high performance stuff. If it's a side oiler 390 some of them had three small screw in plugs, in the side of the block. If you have three bolts on each side of the block just north of the oil pan lip,then you truly have one of the HP blocks. These bolts will go in to the sides of your bearing caps


~ Vegas ~

Ive done another crawl under the engine and did not find any numbers on the block under the centre two plugs, there is nothing there. I did find a few numbers on the block, near the oil filter "w" ... 9C11 and 31 D11. Other numbers on the exhaust manifold also ..C or 0 (not sure ) 5TE-9431 F20. I also removed the starter and found no numbers behind or beside it. I did find two threaded holes in to the block about an inch above the oil pan and a third hole with a plug in it higher that the first two. Thanks again for the replys
grease to the armpits and drippin in sweat

Ok to clarify a few things....First only 65 and up 427's had screw in freeze plugs stock from the factory. Second there is no such thing as a 390 sideoiler from Ford. There was however a sideoiler kit (made by FPP possibly?) that did allow a std FE block to become a sideoiler using external tubes running to the center three mains through hollowed crossbolts. Pretty cool! anyway back on track....sorry about the head numbers. They are ON the heads between the center two spark plugs. Not underneath on the block. I should have been more clear on that. The 9C11 you found on the block is the date code of 69/March/11. It's also very possible there is no casting number on the block. There was a batch from 68 with none and I think another from 69. Being you covered most of the block very possible. I'd check the stroke through a spark plug hole. Rotate the engine to TDC and put a wood stick or dowel or stiff wire inside till it rests onto the piston. Mark the stick noting a common edge to use. Then rotate to BDC and mark again. Remove stick and measure between the lines. This will be the stroke. A 3.50" stroke is a 352 or 360 crank. 3.78 or 3 3/4" (to make things simple) is a 390/427 stroke crank. And a 3.98 or 4" a 428 crank. The 5TE exaust main's are from a truck. The "TE" part of the number denotes a truck application. The two bolt holes you see on the block are where the "J" bar was attached at the factory to move the block along the assembly line.