I currently drive a 1966 ford truck with an inline 300ci. I love this engine and have had no problems. All the literature I have access to keeps this engine in high regard. I am interested in switching it for anther 1966 ford truck this one with a 352 v8. Does anyone have information regarding either of these engines?
a simple man
Favorite Answer
Being an old fart Ford racer,
I have built and raced almost all those FE's I loved 'em because they were durable (for the decade). The 352 is significantly more powerful than the 300. The weak spot is the valve train, but that can be improved, but if you are not going racing it should serve you well.
Lots of performance parts are still available for the FE engine in the truck BUT there is an issue of what fits what. If you are wanting power you will need to find an old fart expert on the engine. The bore is too small to fit some of the heads. The valves will hit. Some of the cams don't fit some of the blocks. The exhaust manifolds are a pain, trucks are different than cars. Headers help a lot, but make sure they fit.
I repeat I loved those engines but they are not for the beginner unless you want to read and learn a lot.
(I had a 332 in an Edsel with a "roundy-round" cam (it would not idle unless you call a 2200 RPM an idle) that would run a real 140 mph for days, and that was before they had Z rated tires.)
I wish I could impart my love for the engine but I think you would have to grow-up with it.
God Bless
MustangTurboMan
it comes from a long line of Ford FE (Ford,Edsel) engines.. they started in 58 as the 332, 352, 361 and later jumped to 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428 's...
The 427 is the engine used in the famous Shelby 427 Cobra's, and 428 Cobra Jets were used in the original Shelby GT 500 Mustangs from 67 to 70..
I have a 361 with factory 303 hp in my 58 Edsel..
it should bolt right up to your bell housing, you will need motor mount brackets and new carb linkage, maybe even a bigger radiator..
Here is another option, hop up the 300 using Cliffords headers, 4 barrel intake and cam for more hp than the v8! I have one of these with 400 hp I'm putting in my 66 Mustang..
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/6cylMustangsonly/
LeAnne
The 352 is a very durable engine - I would only recommend that you get the heads redone with hardened valve seats and new valve guides because they won't last very long on unleaded fuel (true of all pre 1975 engines).