ruined 390

[sideoilerfe]

Heck, I'd take a rebuilt 390 for $400 any day! Hopefully it's done right. Good deal.

[Blue Cloud]

I just got back from the place where I'm switching the motors. This morning I got the new engine uncrated, unwrapped, and on the engine stand. I checked it over and it looks A-1! It came with a gasket set and new oil pump, there was a inspection report included with completed date of 5-5-1995. It was in storage for thirteen years and looks like it was done last week. I'll get some pics in the morning before I start putting on the intake and the rest of the parts and hopefully get the motor in the truck this weekend. Now the bad news, When I pulled the oil pan on the old engine I found broken snap rings in the bottom. The motor is still in the truck so I can't get a good look at the pistons but now I'm wondering if they came from the wrist pins. If thats the case I'm probably lucky I got home with it. I'll find out more when I get it out of the truck and get a better look at things.

[Hawkrod]

There are normally not any snap rings associated with the pistons. Some designs do use spiralocks if you have floating pins (FE's don't unless it was converted) but those don't really look like snap rings, they look like wound square or round wire. Off the top of my head the only thing I can think off that even remotely looks like a snap ring inside an FE engine is the oil pump shaft retainer and that really does not look much like a snap ring either in my mind. I would love to see a picture of what you found. Hawkrod

Does your part look like one of these?:

Spiro Locks:



Snap ring:



Oil pump shaft and clip (sorry, I could not find a better picture of the clip):

[1971ford]

nice backround

[Blue Cloud]

It was definitely a broken snap ring about 3/4" or 1". I'll take a picture in the morning, now I'm really confused.

[Blue Cloud]

Here's a couple of pics of the broken snap rings found in the oil pan.

[Blue Cloud]

A couple more of the new engine.

[Hawkrod]

Here's a couple of pics of the broken snap rings found in the oil pan.

DOH, slap me upside the head, Of course your right, they are wrist pin clips. I was talkin 390 and thinking 460, A very stupid mistake on my part. Hawkrod

[mljjones67]

Nice I want one now

[1971ford]

WOW that engine looks beautiful!

[Blue Cloud]

Here's the motor all together and ready to go into the truck. Would've had it in today but it rained most of the day. I didn't paint the old parts, just cleaned them up. I'll probably be the only one to look at it once it's in and buttoned down.

[sideoilerfe]

[sideoilerfe]

[H-DFord]

Wow I need a 390 to replace my 360 with. Wish I lived closer I'd buy one of those in a heartbeat. Congrats on your new engine. John

[Blue Cloud]

I got the old motor pulled out of the truck today before it stated to rain. Went to work Sunday night and didn't get home until 6:30 this morning, so after large large amounts of coffee, I got started on the truck. It came out smooth and easy, no problems. I'm sure glad I pulled the front clip this time, only had to come up about a foot or so instead of 4 or 5 feet to clear everything on the high boy! The clutch and pressure plate looked good so I'll rerun those. In the morning I'll run to the parts store and get a new throw out bearing and pilot bushing just to keep from having to wonder about those. Hope it doesn't rain tomorrow!