Guest Anonymous Posted September 29, 2002 Share Posted September 29, 2002 hi, I have a 1972 240z, and have been trying to get hands on a v8 for the longest time, I found a 390 bored 30 over and was wondering if that would actually fit in my car? If not, owell I will make it fit, just to be origanal, It would definatley be a powerplant! so Thanks for any reply! peace! fairlady_zx@hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BQR280Z Posted September 29, 2002 Share Posted September 29, 2002 Don't bother, the FE Fords were far better truck engines than performance engines. They have great torque but just don't rev. I have a 406 in a 67 Mustang GT, made awesome tire smoke, but any solid running SBC or Mopar would beat it. The weight factor is also a negative in the Z. Build a 351W and have power and handling. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 29, 2002 Share Posted September 29, 2002 I agree with BQR about the 351 Winsdor. Small block that will fit with performance and handling. The first big block supplied by Ford (and the only 390 c.i.) in the Shelby Cobra was a 390. This car was called the "turd" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 29, 2002 Share Posted September 29, 2002 thanks for the info, the 390 was origanally from my dads 62 thunderbird! I can see how handling could be sloppy, but got to work with what you got, so wish me luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted September 29, 2002 Share Posted September 29, 2002 will this motor fit though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted September 29, 2002 Share Posted September 29, 2002 It is a lot wider than the small blocks, and taller. I don't know if it would fit, but steering rod problems may exist, plus the fact that the exhaust routing will be tight. Then you've got the tranny to consider. A lot of size on both of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackeye Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 I'm also doing a 390 FE swap that I got for 250 bucks. From the messurements I took It fit with four and a half inches to spare on each side. Grantit I have a 280zx and i've never measured an earlier z's engine bay. I plan on putting atleast 4.5K into the engine and drivetrain. They are great for torque but will probable lack in high end power. If I go with the cam and other upgrades that increase highend power hopefully that will make up for some of it. A ford 9" rear end maybe needed to handle the torque, i'm not sure if the datsun axles could handle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Zorro Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 The FE was used in the cobra after the 289 so it would probably be applicable to the Z. With aluminum intake and aluminum heads you will drop quite a bit of weight also. I have a 428 in my Model A coupe with 2x4's and it's a handful if you get on it. One of the problems you will have is making headers for the installation. I did a set for the Model A and it was a pain. Also may have problems with the transmission tunnel as the bellhousing and transmission on the FE is a little larger than the SBF. Good luck it should be a screamer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echocluster@hotmail.com Posted April 22, 2011 Share Posted April 22, 2011 did you ever get your 390 into your z?? what year was your z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.