I have a 390 fe 2bbl in my 53 customline with a c6 in it . My gramps just gave me a crate 302 from the ford dealership he got many years ago. It has been sitting in the crate for at least 20 years. Should I switch engines or stick with the 390? Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
anything wrong with the current setup? If not, I'd collect an AOD tranny, then if you keep the car and wear out the running gear, you'll be good to go with a nice freeway setup. Or I'll come pick it up! TP
If the ole FE is still going well, then I would keep it. Its a good engine, so you could maybe tear the 302 down and freshen it up for a future project.
Stay with the FE . If the 302 is 20 years old , hang on to it for a possible future project or sell it and get some $$
fe is great old motor good power. I would keep the fe unless your haveing problems , or needs rebuild.
302 great backup for the 390----use when needed--meanwhile speed parts are plentiful and cheap start shopping
Answer is, "It depends." Some here correctly said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." There were a few performance 390"s in the early '60s, but your 2-bbl is one of the vast majority built which were from the depths of pre-EFI-low-compression bad old days. In the real world, most 1992 302"s make the same or better horsepower and a bit less torque than your 40-60-year-old 390". The 302 will get a bunch better fuel economy and taking 200# off the front axles is a huge improvement in handling and braking. Your time, your money, your ride, your decision. jack vines
A saying that comes to mind is the good old; "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Damn!!!!!! Someone else has just used that!! Oh well, I'm not backspacing over it now. Well done PackardV8, well done indeed!
Actually, probably not. The earlier "Thunderbird" 300hp juice-cam 390's were flat top engines around 10.5 and 4V's, as the 352 was the base 2V engine, then later the 390-2V replaced the 352 in the cars at about 9.5 dished pistons, so they work pretty well with today's gas. There were even some high-comp 390-2V engines put in Mustangs around '68. The later 390-4V pickup engines had the 410 pistons in them for low compression, with the piston down in the hole- not the 390-2V car engines. One thing you should do though, is those are from the era of the plastic-tooth cam gear, so I would replace the timing set with a good "straight-up" set as soon as possible, if it hasn't already been replaced- most of those plastic teeth are probably in the oil pan already. And you can see the cam gear through the fuel pump hole to check the teeth and the amount of slop in the chain
Keep the FE if you like it how it is. If you are not happy with it, drop the 390 out, sell it to fund the freshen up on the 302, and drop it in. Personally, I would keep the FE. Way more potential builds from mild to wild with good HP across the board. Whoever posted something about FE's being more or less pokey is dead wrong. In all honesty there isn't much difference between early and late model FE's, and they all can rev. and produce power...or just lug along. The main downside to the FE is poor fuel economy.
Also exactly what year is the 302? '84 & up probably isn't a bad engine, if from '75 to '83 it's probably not much of an engine.
390 cooler but more expensive. 302 cheaper and more readily available. I'd just hang onto the 302 for the next project if you've got the space to sit on it
kool Blue, Fuzzy Knight and others, what exhaust are you using.?? manifold or header and if so which..? I am putting in a 64 T-bird 390, in my 54 Merc car...and hear that those big Fords need to breath.. I was thinking of buying the flange, 2" not 1 3/4", and building a header set/// ok, this time, I am asking for opinions ...lol
I love an fe but if you cruise alot go with the baby 302. I cheated. Love fe valve covers so put them on the 302. Not that i'm fooling anyone, it just looks better. Thinking of using the early fe filler for the rad as well.
The 302 would be a great motor, as long as you don't mind being spanked by every other make out there The only way I would put it in is if the FE was wore out. and I was broke.
Rockin rebel Right now I am just running stock exhaust manifolds. When I pull it to rebuild it I will run factory headers.
Great answers guys. The 390 is running great right now so I think ill just drive it and sell the 302. What price should I ask ? Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
Keep the fe. Unless you drive it a bunch more miles than most people the difference in actual fuel usage is minimal and that 302 will never have the torque of a 390 Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
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