I recently bought a motor to replace my 352, the guy told me it was a 390 that was out of a 1967 Mercury Station Wagon. The motor was a orginal 4 barrel motor but it was changed to a 2 barrel carb in the past. How do you tell the differences between a 390 and 410 or any other FE by look without tearing the motor apart. I really don't know what I bought the block has a C6ME casting and the heads are C6AE-J and C6AE-L . I don't think the guy I bought it from would lie to me because he is a Preacher, but he is a Chevy guy and didn't know much about Fords. I would appreciate any help on this matter.

 

You dont have to tear the motor apart, just pull 2 spark plugs.

Put #1 cylinder on TDC, pull the spark plug and stick a long pencil or other such skinny rod down, mark it where it hits the flat by the hole. Put the rod in the #4 cylinder the same way, without turning the crank, and then measure the difference.

3 3/4" (3.78 stroke) is a 390, 4" (3.98) is a 410 (428 too).

Just out of curiosity, I've never seen a C6AE-L head, or even heard mention of one. I have a set of the C6AE-J's, but I would like pic's of the -L's, if there is any way you could take some it would be greatly appreciated!

 

I like the way you measure the stoke, Good idea, not having to turn the crank using just one cylinder.

I may try that soon to verify that mine is a 390.

 

Thanks FrayedSanity the help on how to identify a FE engine. I have not been able to do it yet because I sliced my finger to the bone while working on my motor, breaker bar accident. I will get a photo of the FE C6AE L head once the weather clears up and my finger heals, might be a few days.

 

Egads, I know how that feels! Best of wishes in healing, it sounds painful. If you ask me, it calls for lots of beer!

At any rate, no rush on the pics, worry more about your finger!

 

Beer helps, I should have got stitches, I could see the ligament and bone when I did this. It didn't bleed very much, so I said the hell with stiches and put a band aid on it, still hurts 3 days later but no infection. I will get some pictures soon but I need to heal up a little, I can't hold much with the hand I injured my finger on.

Those breaker bars always hurt me, I should just get rid of the darn thing and stick to air tools, everytime with a breaker bar it never fails I hurt myself, oh well.

 

Word of advice I'ld never knew about before 3 days ago. Heat pads/Hot water bottles, warm espom salt soaks all speed healing by increasing the blood flow. And here I always thought heat was only good for sprains and bruises!

If you already knew this, then maybe someone else will benefit

Good luck opn the recovery!

 

what happens if you go in a valve relief on one piston and not the other? doesn't your 390 become a 410 by mistake? best way is still to crank the engine over by hand while someone marks the stick

 

That is a good point 427. Never thought of that. Most of the pistons have dishes and then a valve relief. You could still angle the wire to angle towards the outside of the cylinder so it against the wall.

Kinda funny but the only time I have ever had stitches was from getting cut by a cheap computer case. They had to put a few threads through the fingernail. That really sucked. It does lay you up for a long time though doesn't it.