FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: Ratbird on March 27, 2014, 08:35:49 AM
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I stumbled across two different 390 block\motors and was wondering which one might be better for a 445 stroker build.
The first one is just a block, 1963. The second one is a running (barely) 1973 F-150.
The guy with the bare 1963 block wants $200. He also has a set of 406 heads for $300 C3AE. Are those heads any better than most?
thx in advance, Dave J
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If they are true legit 406 heads they may have a smaller combustion chamber than normal vanilla 390 heads. For $300 I myself would be interested in them if you decide to pass.
From the other forum, this info may or may not be accurate:
Casting # Chamber volume
C2SE-B 64.55 - 67.55
C2SE-C 64.55 - 67.55
C3AE-C 64.0 - 67.0
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I like the sound of both deals. The 406 heads have potential. The running F-150 could have a better than average block. Might be a mirror 105.
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Be aware that the 63 block will only have 2 motor mount bolt holes on each side, may or may not have alternator pivot bolt hole or cam retainer plate bolt holes. all can be made to work though.
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Also beware of the 406 heads. There are 3 heads with the C3AE-C casting number on them. The true 406 heads will have real small chambers (some data says 56-61cc), 1.65" exhaust valves, and be cut for spring cups. The other 2 versions are 390 heads with standard 1.55" exhaust valves and no spring cups. The standard 390 head will have 72cc chambers, and the high altitude will have 68cc chambers.
The C3AE-C head was only used from mid December of 62 to the end of 406 production, which wasn't very much later. The 390 versions were used for the rest of the year on all 390s, and then in 64 the C4AE-G replaced it.
Trust me when I say that alot of people selling 63 406 heads don't know what they have. I've personally been burned twice by guys swearing they were 406 heads. The first time I didn't know any better, and the heads were bare. The second time they had been upgraded with CJ valves and spring cups, but were still 72cc chambers.
Of the multiple sets I've had, only 1 were real 406 heads and they were dated late Dec. Every other one I've seen was one of the 390 versions and were dated from Feb on, although I've also been told there were service heads after that.
First thing to check is the exhaust valve size if the heads are unmolested, and also for spring cups. If that looks good or they have been worked on before, the chamber volume has to be checked. Now if I'm looking for 406 heads I only will buy if the chamber volume has been checked.
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Wow, it never ceases to amaze me at how little I know about this stuff. I'm not going to buy them, even though I might be able to resell them. DrDano, If you are interested here's the add. Maybe you guys can tell by the pictures whether they're a good deal or not.
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/pts/4350781850.html
I think I 'll go check out the running motor, he only want s $300.
regards, Dave J
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Chambers *appear* smaller than my C4AE-G heads and the thumbprints look decent on the one head. I'm not sure one can tell by looking those photos if they are true 406 heads or the 390 heads with the same part number. If they were C2 part numbers that would be more definitive.
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The shape of the chamber is the same for all 3 versions, so that doesn't help.
But, those heads are not cut for spring cups, I would be 99% sure they are not 406 heads. In 63 they started running spring cups under all of the hipo FE heads.