I have both motors. I am not sure of what one I want to build. I have been told by numerous people why I shuold build the 351 over the 390, and vice versa. The car has a 289, and I have been told to go with that. I am leaning toward the 351. Most people would say go with the Big block. I don't know. Anyone with the pros and cons on each.
Can you stroke the 390 up to a 460 or so? For me the deciding factor would be if you could get enough hp out of the 390 to make up for the heavier weight of the engine. Also you have to think about the weight and torque it will be putting out. Front suspension, sub frame connectors, brakes, etc.
I believe the FE block is only good for up to a 454 cu.in stroke job. It is heavier and wider than the 351. Also, there is no 5 speed that will bolt up behind it. I would stay with the 351. Take it to 408. There are many, many aftermarket heads, intakes and etc for this engine. The 408 is a killer worth building. Keep the 390 for a 60's project where these cars had more room for the wide 390.
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89LX fastback, 347 Probe stroker kit, P.C. rings, Clevite 77 bearings, Crane hydraulic roller rocker cam, Victor Jr. single plane, Holley 670 Street Avenger, Victor Jr. heads, BBK long tube headers, Performance Automatic Pro Comp C-4, MSD billet distributor, Blaster 2 coil and 6AL box, B&M Mega Shifter, 410 gears with 31 spline axels.
...... Also, there is no 5 speed that will bolt up behind it. .....
Actually that is wrong...TKO's will bolt up to a 390 with no problem. In fact, Lakewood and or QuickTime both make scattershields to bolt up to the 390 and to a TKO 5 speed.
In fact, we have several customers who put our TKO kits into their classic mustangs and they are running 390 motors.
Lakewood #15210 fits a 390 and mates it to a TKO and QuickTime # RM-6056 mates a 390 to a TKO perfectly.
Richard
Tech Support
Tremec TKO, T45 & T56 Transmission Systems
Obamacare my a$$ We are all going to pay for electing this tool.
Remember, it is almost impossible for anyone, myself included, to diagnose a problem over the internet without seeing the car. My advice is simply that, advice based on years of experience. I don't want you or anyone taking my word as gospel. I am trying to give some direction as to what I think may be happening.
Hello Dolleyson18, that is a tough question you pose but both engines can be made lethal, the questions I have are: 1) what year stang? 2) what are you planning to do with the car? 3) how much money you have for the project? 4) will yo be doing the work yourself? 5) what is your skill level?
I ask these questions so you can fnd out what your goals really are. 390/351 will cause 40 raging posters to chime in and that is not what you really need to know.
Most muscle cars are purpose built - find your prpose and alot will fall into place for you. I personally like a 393/408 C because its lighter/smaller and has great torque and hp and with a small block pattern anything will bilt to it.
But I like cruising around and an occasional red light action, If you want a sraight line drag car then stroke the mighty 390 -- se where Im going wih this??
My $.02 Joe
Hello Dolleyson18, that is a tough question you pose but both engines can be made lethal, the questions I have are: 1) what year stang? 2) what are you planning to do with the car? 3) how much money you have for the project? 4) will yo be doing the work yourself? 5) what is your skill level?
I ask these questions so you can fnd out what your goals really are. 390/351 will cause 40 raging posters to chime in and that is not what you really need to know.
Most muscle cars are purpose built - find your prpose and alot will fall into place for you. I personally like a 393/408 C because its lighter/smaller and has great torque and hp and with a small block pattern anything will bilt to it.
But I like cruising around and an occasional red light action, If you want a sraight line drag car then stroke the mighty 390 -- se where Im going wih this??
My $.02 Joe
1. 1968
2. street w/alot of power
3. workin on it
4. most of it
5. not a pro, but not a novice
I want to have a good strong motor to beat whatever lines up next to me, and a motor that is good for cruisin. Basically an all around motor.
68, i say 390, i have a 351c in my 65, lots of fun, but i wouldnt be able to fit a 390 in it, with out tons of fab work. so its best for me.
but ur 68 can fit it, it was made for it, so why not? that tko idea sounds good, and if u throw money at it, im sure u can dominate what ever pulls next to u.
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65 stang (t code) 351c, t-5, 8" daily driver
87 fox lx 5.0, t-5, 8.8, on the drive way, gettin her back on the streets soon
its a damn fighter jet not a pony,
and we are fighter pilots.
First On Race Day ok, not that retarded gm mopar lame saying
So i decided to stick with the 351c. Now i just need to figure out what to put into it. As i said before, i am aiming towards 500hp. So i plan on boring it out, probably .060 over. I am planning on a cam and roller rockers, intake, and crankshaft. I have no idea on sizes or what from there.
WIth that power goal in mind do a searc on goolge anout building up a 351C I found some articles and it helped inspire me to but aroller cam in mine along with foller rockers that are roller fulcrum and tip. My engine is relatively smooth for the cam specs, I went with a comp cams retro roller kit with .566 lift - dont remmeber the duration. I think you should not bore the block any more than is necessary to get to good material so to speak. Stroke that dude to 393 cid and go with the next step up from my cam and you will have an incredibly powerful and lighter motor with great street manners. couple that to a 5 spd manual or auto w/ 4.11's or 4.30's and strap on your neckbrace.
my $.02
So i decided to stick with the 351c. Now i just need to figure out what to put into it. As i said before, i am aiming towards 500hp. So i plan on boring it out, probably .060 over. I am planning on a cam and roller rockers, intake, and crankshaft. I have no idea on sizes or what from there.
You don't want to go .060.
With your goal in mind, ,030 over you can make a 408c, .040 over you can make a 410c (like mine). You can get off the shelf scat forged crank, h beam forged rods, and forged .040 dimond pistons. What heads do you have for the motor?
ok, so that was sweet. I mean WOW! Well i think .040 over is good. Now i was thinking of even putting on a supercharger along with everything else. What do you all think.
351 cleveland vs. 390 
