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Ford 390 vs 460

6.3K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  shag766  
#1 · (Edited)
Hey guys, I need your advice. As you all know im building a 65 Galaxie 500 XL 4 speed car. I built a 460 for the car. It is a 1970 lincoln 460 Dove block, Dove heads. Edelbrock aluminum intake. I posted an ad on my local craigslist to trade for a 428 FE. I got a call from a guy and says he is interested in a trade. He has a 390, edelbrock aluminum heads, aluminum intake. He acquired this brand new motor from a guy that was selling stuff out of his garage. To make a long story short, should I trade? I know that the 390 is more specific for the galaxie. But i dont know anything about the internals. Such as cam specs, bottom end, etc. Neither does he, but he acquired it anyway. Also the 460 is fully dressed without a carb. For this 390 I will have to get a water pump, harmonic balancer, fuel pump, distributor and all brackets and pulleys. What will all that cost? I do know that I will have a slam dunk when it comes to headers, toploader application, and a huge weight difference.
 
#2 · (Edited)
I wouldn't trade, 390s are as common as belly buttons, not to mention the guy has no idea as to whats inside it, all he knows is some other guy said it's new and was sitting around in his garage. I'd keep the 460, a hell of a lot more power then a 390 could hope for especially within the same budget. YOU know what your 460 has and the condition.
Weight savings??? The 460 is lighter, forget the stuff posted on line, that old chart has many flaws in it, some one just gathered info where ever they found it, some engines were weighed fully dressed, some with almost nothing, not even a water pump.
Personal real world experiance... I bought 390 springs when I dropped a 460 in my '67. Now I had aluminum heads/intake so I was lighter then a stock 460, my front end sat way to high and rode too stiff. Popping aluminum heads/intake on a 390 will not cause the front end to rise or ride too stiff. I changed to sock heavy duty 289 springs and the righd height was perfect.
I sold my 460 to a friend, he weighed it at work, carb to oil pan, flex plate to water pump, no manifolds or headers..... 485 lbs. Thats the same as an all iron 289.