1964 390 block with extra main webbing and cross bolt bosses

[pbf777]

      For those whom might be interested (and in an attempt to get past the all-knowing participant), there were also examples of these reinforced blocks made and utilized as 352's at the 4.00" bore (390 & 410's @ 4.05" bore) which apparently aren't to common.   

     Back several decades ago, Jim Dove came by our shop and in his wandering about came to a stack of FE blocks with the additional webbing and cross-bolt bosses which we had marked as being 352's, at which point he said he had never seen such a thing; and yet here was a stack of 'em?  He said "you've mismarked these" they're probably not the 4.00" bore of a 352, more than likely a 390 block with a 4.05" bore"; I said no, handed him the calipers, he measured them, and then he said: "well I be ......................,  I want to buy them, all of them!"   

     At this time Jim was heavy into his roundy-round effort, and had been utilizing the reinforced example 4.05" bore blocks, converting them to the cross-bolt caps, but having to sleeve them down to the 4.00" bore (cubic inch rule); he said obviously with these blocks (our 352's) he wouldn't need to incur the cost and labor associated in putting eight sleeves in each block.   

     Scott.

[Wortttie]

Hello to all that have replied.  I really appreciate your responses and knowledge  I will sonic test later this summer.  I Have to finish a 425 buick nailhead first.  If anyone is curious I will post the wall thicknesses when I do that test.  Again, thank you all.

[CaptCobrajet]

Some late ‘63 and ALL ‘64 non-427 FE blocks have those extra webs and cross bolt bosses.  All of those are two bolt motor mount blocks as Gene stated.  The later blocks with no cross bolt bosses and four bolt mounts are also two-web mains.  I’m not sure what they were thinking……..(Ford that is).  Those “extra web” blocks are not exactly like 427s.  There is one main on each side that only has two webs, and the thickness of the webs, and the overall thickness of the main bulkhead is not as beefy as a 427 or a 3-webbed 406.  They are also not as “heavy duty” as a CJ or 105 three webbed block.  I would have to believe that they are still a little bit stronger than a “regular” two webbed block, which were made before and after the 63-64 run of those different style mains in non-427 blocks.

They are not any thicker in the cylinder walls than any other 390 you will find.  I do like those blocks.  I am building a small cube twin turbo engine for a ‘64 Galaxie with one of them.  I have always been impressed with all FE parts that come from the 63-64 years.  I think the company must have been in a good position then.  427s came, High Risers came, and Cammers got designed during that time.  My opinion is that they were more interested in making a good product then.  Something happened  “upstairs” by ‘65.  Yes, they continued to innovate and make neat stuff, but it was all done cheaper and thinner from ‘65 on. 

Side comment…….there were some ‘63 HP 427 blocks that were cast thicker everywhere.  You won’t really notice it unless you see one right beside another ‘63 block, but the head bolt bosses, mains, and cylinders are all thicker.  Some HP 406 blocks are also thick “everywhere”.  Some 406s are the same cylinder bore cores as 427s, but not all 406s are like that.  They did all kinds of stuff.  I wish we had a diary from someone who was in on the thought processes.

[MeanGene]

And as I said, there were no "'64 Mercury 410 blocks". One can easily build a "410" on an early two-bolt block, but they didn't come from the factory that way in '64- as most of us know, the 410 did not come out until '66, same as the 428, using the 1U crank, on the later 4-bolt flange blocks that work with the later engine mounts. One might also get lucky and find one that has been built as a 410 by someone on the early block, but it didn't come from the factory that way

[Wortttie]

Hello  In response to Blair's comments.  I have been able to determine that this is one of the 352 CID blocks.  Casting number is C4AE-A.  I rough measured the bore using a digital caliper and these measure 4".    Also it does not have the extra webbing on one of the mains.  I have ran the drill bit test between the cylinders and it is right at 14/64's so these are a little thicker than the normal 390 block.  I will be running a sonic test after tear down and magniflux.