Weird find, possible 390PI?

[durkzz8]

I ran across this engine recently. It is a C3AE-6015-H block, C3AE-E crank and C1AE skinny rods. Possibly a 390PI?But my big question is what trans is this that was with it? I've never seen one. Possible FMX? My dad is saying looks like a C4 but he's not sure.

[thatdarncat]

I ran across this engine recently. It is a C3AE-6015-H block, C3AE-E crank and C1AE skinny rods. Possibly a 390PI?But my big question is what trans is this that was with it? I've never seen one. Possible FMX? My dad is saying looks like a C4 but he's not sure.

Many people mistakenly call any of those early Cruise-O-Matic transmissions a “FMX”, but the FMX didn’t exist until the 1968 model year, the one you have is obviously older than that, so it’s an earlier variant, and not actually a FMX. And it’s absolutely not a C4. Many of those early Cruise-O-Matics & Ford-O-Matics have an oval I.D. tag on the side with a tag number that can be looked up, I’ve circled the location on your picture. CAREFULLY clean the oily dirt from there and see if there’s a tag. I emphasize carefully because some of the tag codes are just printed on the tag, and I’ve seen lots where people accidentally cleaned the numbers off it. See what you find there and then come back with the info and we can try and look it up in the Ford Parts Books.

What makes you suspect it’s a 390 PI ?

[durkzz8]

Just seching around I have seen several times where people mention that casting number block with the longer skinny rods being in the 390PI. I have no history on this engine except that it was just pulled from a running galaxie and put in an f100 but never fired up again.

[galaxiex]

What is the casting number on the trans case?

In the red circle..

From here it looks like it starts with "E0".

If so that will be a 1980 or later FMX.


Does it have a dipstick hole in the passenger side of the case, or in the passenger side of the pan?

[durkzz8]

Transmission is E0AP

[Rory428]

What is the casting number on the trans case?

In the red circle..

From here it looks like it starts with "E0".

If so that will be a 1980 or later FMX.


Does it have a dipstick hole in the passenger side of the case, or in the passenger side of the pan?

That transmission has the 1964 and earlier FE bellhousing, for the long shaft starter.

[galaxiex]

That transmission has the 1964 and earlier FE bellhousing, for the long shaft starter.

True, but bellhousings are easily swapped.

[galaxiex]

Transmission is E0AP

That's a 1980 or later FMX.

Dipstick tube hole in the case?

[thatdarncat]

Transmission is E0AP

That's a 1980 or later FMX.

Dipstick tube hole in the case?

He’s correct, check where the dipstick goes in. I was going off the early bellhousing, I could be wrong. But in any case, see if there’s an I.D. code on it too, not just the main case casting number.

[DuckRyder]

OK, i'm sort of confused.

Are you saying you it has 332/352/360 long rods and think it's a factory 390? And you found where this was a thing?

Ive heard of people other than ford doing this, but not from the factory.... ?

How many bosses does the block have at the engine mount on each side?

Also by PI do you mean Police Interceptor or Performance Improved?