Thread: why FE

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why are they called FE's? i have a 390 that just came in a truck i bought. It's not running right now so i've never driven one. Is there something special about them? I have a 302 and 460 in my other trucks. What is good and about about a 390? I'm trying to decide if i should keep it or swap for a different motor---for one reason the parts on the 390 seem to be more expensive?

Thanks everyone,

Josh.

The FE engines are a bit more expensive to build, but they do make for a strong engine when built right. Check out the FE engine forum right here in CHR, it has a wealth of information on the 390.

FE is the name of the engine series believed to stand for Ford Engine. Some will disagree with this but Ford never really named the series but referred to it as only "FE" in factory documents and blueprints so who really knows anyway. If you do some shopping you can find good deals on parts for your 390. Sure they are a little more on some items because they are a lost breed of engine and the aftermarket is responding nicely with new component packages and improved parts. What I mean by lost breed is the engines are no longer produced by Ford only some aftermarket part sources and what you can find used or NOS. Thats why you pay more. I'd take a good look to see what it needs first and go from there. What year truck??? G.

"FE" stands for Ford-Edsel, which was some kind of joint project. The "FE" parts are not as easy to find as others, which of course makes them a bit more expensive to build or maintain.

The 390's make alot of power. I have a 390 out of a 1967 Fairlane GT in a 1976 F100 pickup, and it is plenty of power. If memory serves me, I think it is supposed to be 335 HP stock, with 1 4bbl. It does however frequent many gas stations. I guess when ya play, ya pay.

Greg

I have an FE I plan to build and put in a Bronco. The 390 is a good general use model engine. be warned of two things: It will take you to high gear fast. and it will pass everything but a gas station.

~Critter

I liked the theory that FE was the Periodic Table of Elements designation for iron, and these critters have a lot of that!

Maybe I just haven't looked for anything too weird, but the only thing I've had problems finding for my FE engines is the motor mount insulators for the '69 Mustang body. I bought a service short block 428CJ (1973 casting date) for $2400 a few years back.

The heads were a little pricey, but they are the C8OE-N CJ heads. I needed specific dates, and wanted matched cores, so I ended up with a fairly ratty set that did match my car. The machine work was expensive, but the shop had a terrific reputation and I could have gotten by cheaper. I think Morgan ended up with the heads being more solid than April 1969 when they left Dearborn.

Anything you build looks like it will cost. The parts for my 2000 Expedition family bus scare me, and a starter for my wife's Taurus was nearly a hundred and a half. So overall, it's not too bad. A friend with a 327 Chevy spent as much building an engine with 101 less cubic horsepower.

Still, the gas bill ain't for the faint at heart. My Dad's '65 Ford Country Sedan with the 390-4v never got over 15MPG, and usually hovered in the 11-12 range. But when I was a kid, I had a '57 Chevy with a 283 (wait a minute - I still have it - it's right outside my window), and it averaged 14. For mileage, get a Honda Civic with the little engine, and just push it up hill (or into the driveway, or over speed bumps...)