Thread: Can I get any power out of a 352

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I am thinking about building a mid 50s Ford gasser and want a period correct motor,I will have a 352 that is coming out of my 66 F250 thats getting a 460 so can I get any power out of the 352 or just find a 390. Jeff

Think I'd just go with the 390 with a good pair of heads and the old GT cam....

Of course you can "get power" out of a 352, just keep in mind that it's going to be 10-15% short of a 390 with the same mods, because of less cubes. Years ago, my cousin blew the 428 in his Mustang, and we replaced the short block with a 352. 428 heads, manifolds, cam, etc., and it went pretty good, even beat some "real" 428's run by guys that didn't have a clue how to tune or drive. The 352 seemed to rev easier and higher, maybe that helped.

do you know for a fact you have a 352.. does`nt all FE have the 352 cast into the front of the block .. you may have a 390 already ..

If your going to built it anyway dig up a 390 cank and rods, punch it .050 and you have a standard bore 390 (or if your feeling real lucky go .110 like I did and build a 401....(that extra .060 is really not recommended for a later 352 like you have).

The factory cast iron headers and tri-power I'm using are a little later early 60's pieces.

I would like to use the 352 since I heard they rev quicker and its going to be a street driven gasser and maybe down the strip every now and then,since its a truck motor I presume it has dished pistons so flat tops will be needed and can I use the heads that are on it or find better. What ever I do i want it to run on pump gas and no turbo blue if possible. Jeff

All I have is the motor and a 4 speed so far and nothing to put it in,as soon as I find a mid 50s 2 door sedan the project will start. I just want to know what I can do to the 352 before I start the project so i can gather the parts. Jeff

I guess I will have to find a body for the motor before I go any further. Jeff