352-390-406 FE Fored

[Reed Granrt]

Fellows, I do not have a strong knowledge of Ford FE motors. I had a customer bring me a FE to build. He was told it was a 406. I measure the bore and turns out to be a 352. In the past, I remember that many 390, 406, and 352 had 352 cast into the block. My question is, are all these blocks the same casting or is each cast differently in the bore area. Not a problem for me too overbore, just dont want to ruin his block.
thanks yall
reed

[gsa612]

Probably you will have to sonic a few cylinders just to be sure. (old block, rust ) gsa612

[Mark Ugrich]

The bore on a 406 would be 4.13. Late 406 blocks were crossbolted. Also there should be a "HP" cast into the block .Bore dimension on a 352 is 4.00 inches. 352 cast into the block doesn't mean it's a 352.It could be any FE block from a 330-428.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

I had a guy who had me bore 360-390 block .080 and build as 428,as far as I know it's still running and it's been 20 years ago last saw him couple years ago was told me still had it.
I look at it like this they make pistons .060 if you go .080 cylinder is only .010 thinner on each side,and I don't believe .010 difference on cylinder is going to make or break it,if it fails @ .080 it was most likely going to @ .060.

I agree with who ever said to sonic check cylinders, they have been rusting 20 more years since I done that and I may have just been lucky.
Mike Taylor 3601

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by Mike Taylor 3601

I had a guy who had me bore 360-390 block .080 and build as 428,as far as I know it's still running and it's been 20 years ago last saw him couple years ago was told me still had it.
I look at it like this they make pistons .060 if you go .080 cylinder is only .010 thinner on each side,and I don't believe .010 difference on cylinder is going to make or break it,if it fails @ .080 it was most likely going to @ .060.

I agree with who ever said to sonic check cylinders, they have been rusting 20 more years since I done that and I may have just been lucky.
Mike Taylor 3601

I have to say that you got lucky. I have split numerous cylinder walls on my race 428s, that were only .030". Unless its a low stress application, like a Thunderbird cruiser, I want at least .125" sonic check numbers, but after all these years, not a lot of "cherry" thick(ish) wall FE blocks left. HardBlock helps for a race engine, but not much good on a streeter.
Some of the 361-391 FT big truck engines had thick, 406-428 bore capable cylinders, but I think any 40+ year old factory FE block should be sonic checked for any performance use. Also, be sure to inspect the blocks bulkheads between the cam and crank bearing bores. Not uncommon for cracks to develop there, especially on the 2nd and 4th bulkheads. One of my 428blocks cracked badly enough that the #4 cam bearing lost its press fit, and walked foreward enough to uncover the annular oil groove behind the cam bearing. The only clue I had was the oil pressure got low at idle.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

Rory,
I agree with all your comments, It was mild street mustang,20 years ago FE's were easier to find and had 20 years less rust.
Mike Taylor 3601