Swapping from a 460 back to a 390

Engine, ignition, fuel, cooling, exhaust

Moderators: Ranchero50, DuckRyder

Post Reply
1968f250429
New Member
New Member
Posts: 116
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:40 pm
Location: Kirkland, Az

Swapping from a 460 back to a 390

Post by 1968f250429 »

Hello all, just a quick question my step dad has a 72 highboy that we converted to a 460 and we are going to change it back to a fe.

Will the 460 conversion frame perch accept a 390 or am I going to have to source a set of 390 frame perches?
The perches are from L&L.
If I need the FE perches would anyone have a set laying around and how much would they be? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, we're in Colorado by the way.
User avatar
colnago
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1882
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:48 pm
Location: Ridgecrest, CA

Re: Swapping from a 460 back to a 390

Post by colnago »

Question on your question. Do you have power steering? The FE driver-side perch is different between manual and power steering, because the PS box is larger. One of the feet is bent back, to make room for the steering box. I'm sure there are photos on the forum somewhere.

I don't know if the 460 and FE perches are the same or not, though.

Joseph
"Sugar", my 1967 Ford F250 2WD Camper Special, 352FE, Ford iron "T" Intake with 1405 Edelbrock, Duraspark II Ignition, C6 transmission, front disc brake conversion.
User avatar
Kurt Combs
Blue Oval Guru
Blue Oval Guru
Posts: 1341
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:12 pm
Location: California, Lakeport

Re: Swapping from a 460 back to a 390

Post by Kurt Combs »

You will need the perches for a 360/390 to do the reverse swap. When I did the swap to a 460 I purchased a 77 F150 with a 460 in it and had most of what I needed. I suggest the same for you, find a FE with a 360 or 390 and get everything at once to make the swap (if you haven't already found your donor truck). Perches, exhaust pipes/headers, transmission/bell housing and all the little pieces you will need. BTW, I wish I had rebuilt my 360 and not converted to a 460. It has lots of power but the gas mileage sucks and the 360 sounded better.
Kurt
1972 F-250
hazelnut
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1928
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:06 am
Location: Williamsburg,Virginia

Re: Swapping from a 460 back to a 390

Post by hazelnut »

colnago wrote:Question on your question. Do you have power steering? The FE driver-side perch is different between manual and power steering, because the PS box is larger. One of the feet is bent back, to make room for the steering box. I'm sure there are photos on the forum somewhere.

I don't know if the 460 and FE perches are the same or not, though.

Joseph
He has a highboy, Steering is mounted on the inside front of the frame. Not like the 2 WDs
hazelnut
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1928
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:06 am
Location: Williamsburg,Virginia

Re: Swapping from a 460 back to a 390

Post by hazelnut »

I can't answer the question about the perches. But I did put a 460 in a 68 2wd and used the 360 frame perches. The 460 came out of a 68 Lincoln and when I sat the motor in the truck the perches needed to be narrowed. The engine needed to come down a inch to bolt on the perch. I cut the slot a little and reset the motor in and bolted it up. The truck ran 12.40s and I beat on it for 2 years with out problems.
User avatar
colnago
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1882
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:48 pm
Location: Ridgecrest, CA

Re: Swapping from a 460 back to a 390

Post by colnago »

hazelnut wrote:He has a highboy, Steering is mounted on the inside front of the frame. Not like the 2 WDs
Ah, missed that. Yes, 2WD is very different from 4x4. My mistake. Thanks for the correction.

Joseph
"Sugar", my 1967 Ford F250 2WD Camper Special, 352FE, Ford iron "T" Intake with 1405 Edelbrock, Duraspark II Ignition, C6 transmission, front disc brake conversion.
Post Reply