FE stuff

[bill1101]

Any FE lovers out there. I have a Galaxie with a 390, any thoughts on performance additions? I got FPA tri y headers.

 

[sicndhed]

I learned a lot from this book.

 

[c9zx]

This is a good all around book on building FEs. https://www.amazon.com/Build-Max-Performance-Ford-Engines-Performance/dp/1934709158
The headers will help. If it is an around town cruiser, install a more aggressive rear gear set. If you like videos go to Lykins Motorsports YouTube channel. Tons of FE builds. Be aware FE also is sort for F______ Expensive. Chuck

 

[detritusmaximus]

Do some research on the heavy (not pick up) truck FE motors. They had heavier duty parts. Steel cranks and rods, maybe? I think the Lemans rods were actually truck items. The blocks were heavier, too, but probably don't need that.

 

[Idaho Chris]

My '66 Galaxie 500. 352 FE engine but all stock. She's a cruiser not a racer. If I want to go fast I take the Mustang.

 

[mrgmhale]

Any FE lovers out there. I have a Galaxie with a 390, any thoughts on performance additions? I got FPA tri y headers.

I am definitely an FE lover! Our 1969 Shelby GT500 has a 428CJ (not SCJ) engine in it, backed by a C6 auto tranny. Why an auto tranny in a Shelby? The Shelby came with factory A/C, and Ford required at least their 428 engine Mustangs and Shelbys to be equipped with auto tranny and a steeper rear axle ration (3.0:1 or 3.25:1, we have 3.0:1 in our Shelby) in order to prevent engine over-revving that could damage the A/C compressor. Luckily those 428 engines have a lot of low end torque, and a fairly flat torque curve. They were rated at 335 HP, but in reality at higher RPMs they put out closer to 415HP.

The 390 is an FE engine, like the 428. I have read several articles that bemoan how the 390s are dogs compared to 428s. Well, perhaps in absolute terms that may be true. But, I have driven a 1969 Mach 1 with a 390 and 4 speed tranny. Believe me, back in the day (1971 or so) that was plenty powerful. I did not get to see what a 428 could do until I got our 69 Shelby about 5 years ago or so. It could be that the 390s are not as responsive to modifications that elicit larger gains in the 428 as compared to the 390. Frankly, the 390 is a consistently reliable engine, and it performs plenty well enough. Unless you plan to race the Galaxie, I would just focus on making certain it is tuned properly, and has really good oil and oil filtration.

Speaking of oil, the 390 is (also) a flat tappet engine design. You need to make certain your engine oil has Zinc in it, otherwise your vcam lobes and lifters will wear out far too soon. Zinc fouls catalytic converters, hence modern engine oil typically has no Zinc. But, modern engines also use hydraulic roller valve trains, so Zinc is no longer needed. We do not have catalytic converters on our older cars, so having Zinc is not an issue for us. Not having Zinc, however, is an issue. Personally, I use AmsOil Z-Rod oil which has Zinc (10/30). If your oil has Zinc it will say so on the label. If it does not have Zinc you can use an oil additive. But, my preference is to get oil with Zinc already in it.

https://www.amsoil.com/p/z-rod-10w-30-synthetic-motor-oil-zrt/?code=ZRTQT-EA&gclid=CjwKCAjw0N6hBhAUEiwAXab-TazBiG0QKGzIo3Y_AiZSQLhOPS1Nq6ZljvGYtHT1q2vtnHLsKKOx6BoC96YQAvD_BwE

Z-Rod comes in a few different viscosities. I will use 10/30 until the engine begins to burn oil. At that point I will move to their 10/40.

 

[bill1101]

Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately, the person I bought it from didn't know a lot about the car. It was his father's car and he inherited it when he passed. The only thing he knew was his father loved the 406 but couldn't afford a real one, so he punched out the 390 to 406 CI and slapped the 406 badges on the fender. It feels like it has a mild cam in it. It has an aluminum intake and Holly carb along with MSD ignition. It was running hot so I swapped in an aluminum radiator and electric fans. I replaced the water pump with a high flow unit and decided while I was at it to replace the front accessory drive, new alternator and PS pump.

It is basically a cruiser, but just feels a little lazy. I got it tuned to best of my ability and am just looking for a little more umph. Not sure what gears are in it but it is definitely an open diff.

Thanks again.

 

[Sheriff41]

@Idaho Chris and @bill1101 Two great looking Galaxies!

 

[moparbrian]

I am restoring a 1966 Mercury Comet 427FE at the moment

 

[c9zx]

My '66 Galaxie 500. 352 FE engine but all stock. She's a cruiser not a racer. If I want to go fast I take the Mustang.

View attachment 75634

View attachment 75633

Absolutely beautiful! You gotta love the green. Chuck

 

[c9zx]

I am restoring a 1966 Mercury Comet 427FE at the moment

OK, I just might hate you (joking of course). My first fast car was a 1966 Cyclone GT. I spent almost everything I earned making it faster. I'd love to have it back. Details on your build would be appreciated, at least by me. Chuck

 

[moparbrian]

OK, I just might hate you (joking of course). My first fast car was a 1966 Cyclone GT. I spent almost everything I earned making it faster. I'd love to have it back. Details on your build would be appreciated, at least by me. Chuck

I just was lucky with this one. My father purchased it in 68 when I was born. Mom was pissed as it was a lot more expensive then comparable cars. It is a caliente model. Car needs a lot of work as my father put a rod through the block and then stored the engine in a shed and the car next to the shed. I will post pics. I just need to dig it our of the garage.

 

[GARYCOBRAJET]

Sounds like you have the basics covered (headers intake holley etc.) your next step to take advantage of the upgrades you already have made are gears for the rear end. You probably have 3.00 in there and a step up to 3.50 would put a smile on your face-if you are not concerened with milage go a little further to 3.70 or even 3.91 but the last choice will have you buzzing on the highway. It is a trade off for sure-if you do a lot of highway driving i would just keep the gears you have and live with the lacluster performance but if you are not on the highway a lot a 3.70 or 3.91 gears are your best bang for the buck performance wise and with a ford 9 inch it is easy to upgrade to a better gearset. JMO

 

[secluff]

Hey Bill,
Many of the 390s (Especially the 390 GT) got a bad rap. The GT version fell into two different categories with no in-between. Either they ran like a scalded ape or like they were towing a load of bricks behind them. They suffered from intake, heads, and exhaust manifolds better suited hooked to a chain hanging from a boat. The 428 CJ received a better intake (still cast iron), 427 L/R heads, freer flowing exhaust manifolds, and many other improvements. This was all done using the same camshaft as the 390 GT, so you can see how carefully selected pieces to a puzzle can come together and make one formidable engine on the street and track.
A shout-out and a "Thank You" to Bob Tasca Ford, who, on their own, assembled race-proven already existing Ford parts to create a high-performance Mustang they named the KR-8. The Tasca-built prototype was enough to wake Ford up, and the 428 Cobra Jet was born. And as they say, the rest is history.
Since you mentioned the engine was already built when you acquired your Galaxie, it appears to have the cam, aluminum intake, headers, etc., and most of the bolt on's most often installed first. I would take Chuck's (c9zx) suggestion and try a more aggressive gear. If used mainly for cruising duties, a rear gear change would be very noticeable and make cruising nights much more enjoyable.
I would avoid heavy truck FE (FT) engine parts. Granted, they are more robust, durable parts, but they were engineered for medium/heavy truck, industrial, and power production use. The blocks, rotating internal parts, and other cast iron components are very heavy and were not meant for any high RPM use. Most of these engines were carburetor/distributor governed not to run over 4,000 RPMs. Way too heavy and slow for automotive use. The 389/391 engine did use a Steel crankshaft that some have tried in automotive applications, but the front snout had to be turned down since it was larger on the trucks. There was a problem with some of these steel cranks breaking in the area where the cranks extend from the front cover.
The "Lemans " rod was not used in any truck engines. This unique cap screw rod was initially released in '62 for the high-performance 390 and 406 with special crankshafts. It saw continued use in the 427 and was the production-installed rod used in the SCJ 428.

Appreciate you and Idaho Chris posting pictures of your Galaxies, as I am a big fan of the Galaxies from the 60s! And.....If more pictures of them were to show up, I certainly would not be offended!

 

[detritusmaximus]

Hey!...I stand corrected on the Lemans rods.

 

[bill1101]

I should probably leave well enough alone but, would it be worthwhile to maybe go with some Edelbrock heads? I don't know if the cam would be able to take advantage of them and certainly not any of the more performance-oriented makes. Another question. Would it be worthwhile to get a dyno tune? There is a shop about 90 minutes away from me that does it.

Regarding the gear ratio, It spins about 3 grand at 55 MPH so I assume it is a fairly low ratio (high numerically)

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Rozz]

I love the FE, not to often you can find a original 428 car. It’s a cruiser with 2:80 gears on the back.

 

[6667fan]

I love the FE, not to often you can find a original 428 car. It’s a cruiser with 2:80 gears on the back.

View attachment 75660

Dark Moss with vinyl top.
Love it!

 

[6667fan]

I just was lucky with this one. My father purchased it in 68 when I was born. Mom was pissed as it was a lot more expensive then comparable cars. It is a caliente model. Car needs a lot of work as my father put a rod through the block and then stored the engine in a shed and the car next to the shed. I will post pics. I just need to dig it our of the garage.

Very special car!

Better put aside at least 12K to bring that Side Oiler back to life.
Like to hear more about car.

[email protected]

 

[73CobraJet]

Before acquiring my current Mustang my 73 Convertible with the Q code in it A guy had a 67 390GT hardtop. Pulled the 390 and stuffed a 428CJ out of my buddies clapped out Torino. Street raced it til it dropped a valve! Then the 390 went back in! Both had gobs of horse torque!