I dont know who even knows what FE stands for. I have seen this debate many times. However, you all are correct on the sizes (if memory serves me correctly). The FE engines were first built to be used as Industrial Grade engines. First applications were in Trucks and industrial Equipment. Our Father had a 65 Ford "Custom" (a cheap Galaxy) with a 352. Then a 67 Custom with a 390 and finally our brother had a 68 Merc with a 410. If I can remember, here is how the FE engines were built in the early days. The 332 was the original Dog, I dont know if the cranks were the same, but bore it out and get a 352. Take that block, bore it again and get a 390. Bore and stroke that block and get a 427 or 428. Now the tricky bits. To get a 410, take the 390 block and put in a 428 crank. If you want a real monster, put a 428 crank in a 427 block. I think that will give you about 450 CI +/-. Somewhere I have a FE "Parts Swap" book. It tells a builder what one gets when FE parts are swapped. The Cobra guys have made this into a cottage indusrty. The only way to tell the blocks apart (except for the 427 Block with its cross bolt mains) is to measure the bore of the cylinders and measure the crank. Otherwise, they all look the same even with the heads off. You are correct to say they have a "352" stamped on the outside, why I dont know. With the cost of a nice 428 these days, some 390 blocks end up being used and "marked" as 428s. Remember all parts on FE blocks will swap. A few 390s are getting an outside Cross Bolt "glue on" set to make them look like the real expensive 427s. Funny what dollars will make people do.
My 428 block was originally made for Industrial use. It found its way onto a center pivot irrigation unit in western KS. Those blocks had the stronger "webbing" in the lower end with forged cranks and pistons. Later in life Ford used that indusrtial block for racing purposes and called it a "Cobra Jet". I kept the bottom end of my engine entact with the old dished forged pistons and the heavy crank for my Cobra. We just added the Edlebrock Performer RPM cam, Alm heads, alum intake and 750 Holley double pumper and got over 460 hp with over 525 tq.
If you are looking to build a nice FE engine and have difficulty finding parts, do some research. A trip to an old Junk Yard can yield a nice motor with a reasonable cost. The 410 used in the old Merc full sized cars is a great engine that will cost pennies on the dollar compared to the 428. Some even had the Police Interceptor intake that was so famous. A 390 block is cheap compared to either the 427 or the 428 these days and can easily be built to over 425 Hp and 450 torque and be very reliable.
Finally, if anyone that has a FE engine says it does not leak oil, well they either have that one in a thousand or they have a pourous floor in the garage. It is really tough to get the FE engines to not leak out the rear main seal with original cranks.
Paul, you are correct, that sound, well I dont in any way need all of the HP, but I REALLY like the sound of the old FE Engine. It will set off car alarms and open doors at the gocery store with I drive by with that low bellow.
With all of that information you can get a cup of coffee if you have one dollar.
Brian
I'm still trying to figure out what FE means.:embarass:
