FE series complaints

Long63 · Post by **Long63** » February 3, 2009, 7:02 pm

I have a 390 and a 352 and am taking info in consideration for rebuilding.
These were stock items at the time.
What are some of the downsides to the FE series motors? I've been to the FE Forum site and its justs not as easy as this website is to navigate.

If you had to compile an honest list of issues with the FE engines, what would they be?

For instance

#1. F---- Expensive.

#2._________________

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » February 3, 2009, 7:41 pm

Thirsty as an Irishman in the desert

don luster · Post by **don luster** » February 3, 2009, 7:47 pm

my 352 pu was a gas hog from the day it was new. It got about 10-12 miles empty or loaded. I rebuilt the engine and put in earlier cam and crankshaft gears, gas mileage cam from iski. and headers Did triple angle valves and moly ring set clearance as they should be and guess what I raised the gas mileage to about 12.5 Was not worth all the money i spent was a great engine to pull etc but would not pass up a gas station. I have been told that the 390 will get better gas mileage but can not swear about it. Don

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » February 3, 2009, 8:44 pm

Johnny Canuck wrote:Thirsty as JC as SS

fixed it for you jc.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » February 3, 2009, 9:20 pm

biggest problem today is the lack of aftermarket/performance parts.
for example the ford motorsport catalog has only a few parts,real spendy valve covers and the like.
a 4v carb will give better mileage, if you keep your foot out of it.
FEs have been out of production for near 35 years now, while the 302s and 460s have not.

BackyardRest · Post by **BackyardRest** » February 3, 2009, 10:17 pm

UpOnBlocks wrote:I have a 390 and a 352 and am taking info in consideration for rebuilding.
These were stock items at the time.
What are some of the downsides to the FE series motors? I've been to the FE Forum site and its justs not as easy as this website is to navigate.

If you had to compile an honest list of issues with the FE engines, what would they be?

For instance

#1. F---- Expensive.

#2._________________

Only downsides to a FE would be they are harder to stop oil leaks vs say a 385 series engine, not as efficient as one either.

There are now more parts avail for an FE than ever before. Simple to make a 445 out of a 390 or 360 now, great intakes, cranks, heads avail,

stroker kits are very reasonable too.

Blocks and cranks are pretty durable,

I have had great success with FE engines

whats your budget on one?

FE engine is a bunch lighter than the 385 series engine.

BackyardRest · Post by **BackyardRest** » February 3, 2009, 10:21 pm

UpOnBlocks wrote:I have a 390 and a 352 and am taking info in consideration for rebuilding.
These were stock items at the time.
What are some of the downsides to the FE series motors? I've been to the FE Forum site and its justs not as easy as this website is to navigate.

If you had to compile an honest list of issues with the FE engines, what would they be?

For instance

#1. F---- Expensive.

#2._________________

take the 390 and drop in a 445 kit, add a good set of heads, intake and carb along with good headers around 1 3/4" and you will love it.

A fe with aluminum heads and intake does not weigh much more than a 351 or 302 for that matter.

If you go with other than FE you will need to change your transmission if automatic and if stick a bellhousing. 429/460 bellhousings are getting pretty hard to come by.

Tell us your plans for truck, what is its main use?

FORDBOYpete · Post by **FORDBOYpete** » February 3, 2009, 11:58 pm

Air or Air Fuel Mix does not flow in a rectangular column.
All ports intake & exhaust use rectangular configuration.

FE was out of date when they designed it in 1954 & '55, or introduced them in 1958 and they are still out of date.

I spent many many hours and and many many many dollars and they were still pricey, inefficient, heavy antique engines that some people still love. They are a nostalgic engine and have a place in history, but so does the Ice Age. . . . I don't want to step on anybody's toes here, but we've had everything from 332's thru 427 FEs, even had a 428 CJ out of a 66 T-Bird. We had Built versions & OEM versions too. My Brother had a 67 Fairlane 427/410 4 gear it was expensive to run & fix, and not all that fast.

385's are more in this century & this Millennium and there is little or no comparison IMHO, except maybe for nostalgia. . . .

Sorry if that hurts, but it's my honest

on the question here . . . .

FBp

Long63 · Post by **Long63** » February 4, 2009, 7:29 am

Thanks for all the feedback.

I have the 352 / 3 tree still in the '66 CC and the 390 / C6 came from a '74 truck. I have an old '63 Uni that has been modified by previous owners and needs a new drivetrain, (it has an industrial FE w/ 4 speed). I had planned to use the '66 as a camping truck for me and my kids and also tow some things. The '63 was gonna be a bit of a toy / cruiser.

Mike

DV65CustomCab · Post by **DV65CustomCab** » February 4, 2009, 9:05 am

The FE is an antique, no two ways about it.

However, I look at the 15 mpg I can get in mine and compare it to the current crop of fuel injected modern trucks that can only muster 18 and say "gee, that's not so bad".

Were I to build a truck from scratch, would I use an FE? No. However, having a truck thus equipped I have no desire to change it.

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » February 4, 2009, 5:36 pm

I like FE's. I agree with JC's thirst comment though, there's been times I've actually watched the gauge slowly move toward empty with my 'ol 390.

I agree with the oil leak thing too. FE's always leak somewhere, it seems.

I'd build the 390. Make sure there's hardened seats in the heads & use an RV cam for towing & camping duties. You'll probably be pretty happy with it.

Long63 · Post by **Long63** » February 4, 2009, 8:59 pm

ok. downsides to the FE
#1 Expensive and hard to find.
#2 Leaks oil, if assembled in a hurry.
#3 Too heavy, if using stock iron.
#4 Low fuel efficiency.
#5________

Is there any other technical aspects to consider?

Is there internal componets or systems within the FE that could be improved or should have been done differently?

Gnant · Post by **Gnant** » February 4, 2009, 9:12 pm

Hmmmm.... I specifically got a 69 donor vehicle with a 390 in it just for the drive train. It fires right up but drips a little oil. Kind of bummed to hear that is an issue. If I'm going to have it on an engine stand, you can be sure I'm going to tear into it. What would you guys suggest if I wanted to do a poor boys rebuild?

[albumimg]5077[/albumimg]

factorystock · Post by **factorystock** » February 4, 2009, 9:20 pm

The FE was late 50's technology used up to the mid 70's, when it was replaced with more modern and efficient engines.Positives are it is a simple, reliable and smooth running engine, negatives are average performance and fuel consumption. The biggest nuisance on these engines are the gaskets, both intake and exhaust. Special attention should be used when sealing them up to prevent leaks.

modeleh · Post by **modeleh** » February 4, 2009, 11:42 pm

I had a '79 250 4x4 with a 351M and later I put in a 400M from a Lincoln. It was always a pig on gas and never a real fireball. I now have a 66 250 4x4 with a 390. It is also a pig on gas, but I'd say it has a little more jam than my other truck, and I know for a fact the 390 has never been out of it since it was installed in '71. To those who claim the 385 series are more efficient, are we only talking 1 or 2 mpg? Comparing a 400M and a 390 in a fuel efficiency test is like comparing how much two fat guys will sweat walking up a flight of stairs. Like DV65 said, some of the new trucks aren't that great for 50 years worth of technology advances.

robert porterfield · February 5, 2009, 12:14 am

385 vs fe..........same avrage fuel milage twice the power..........imo

BackyardRest · Post by **BackyardRest** » February 5, 2009, 1:00 am

FORDBOYpete wrote:Air or Air Fuel Mix does not flow in a rectangular column.

385's are more in this century & this Millennium and there is little or no comparison IMHO, except maybe for nostalgia. . . .

But yet they are well over 100lbs heavier than the 390? you call FE's Heavy? Name me a single big block of any brand thats lighter than a FE?

Sorry if that hurts, but it's my honest on the question here . . . .

FBp

385's are slouches themselves unless they get a major cylinder head upgrade, major porting etc

Dont get me wrong I am probably more partial to certain 385 series engines than the FE. The Cammers & other Side Oiler MR engines are the only FE's that really float my boat.

There are more parts avail for FE's now than ever before, you can now build a FE using no original Ford Parts. More FE parts are coming to market almost daily.

I would take a 66-67 427 over any 385 series engine for performance except the Boss 9 in close to stock form. IF we are talking super high buck aluminum heads etc. Ok, then give me any 385 with a set of Kaase P51's or his new Boss units.

In a all cast iron form 385's are boat anchors for $$ spent.

Back to the guys question. Stick with your 390 unless you want to spend bigger bucks converting to a 429/460.

Fordman · Post by **Fordman** » February 5, 2009, 1:07 am

the fuel consumption is bad on those. also the weight of the engine is more than i like. it makes my bump feel heavy and hard to drive. i like the 351 w in my 67. thoguh its not factory it is a good running and feeling engine. if i had a choice it would be the 351w or the l6 300 or 240. probably a 300.

BackyardRest · Post by **BackyardRest** » February 5, 2009, 1:08 am

LOFLOL on this one people forgot to point out.

The FE cooling system is far superior to the 385 series engines and seldom overheat! 385 series are well known for overheating!

Now if that was not UTTER BS I dont know what is. Actually quite the opposite. FE cooling is much more difficult than a 460.

R Pope · Post by **R Pope** » February 5, 2009, 7:59 am

FE's run smooth, and seldom break. They just don't wear out. Other than being a gas hog, they are a great engine for a driver. If you are swapping it out, the engine of choice for me would be a 351W. 400's are dogs and 429/460's are worse gas pigs than 390's!
Put a 4-over toploader behind your FE and drive it! They were factory equipment in the early '70's pickups.

FE series complaints

FE series complaints

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