Modern Rodding Enthusiast Books
FAQ | Contact Us | About Us | Site Map
Car Logo We sell performance books and manuals for your car and truck
Ford Shop Manual Downloads
We Sell Performance Books & Manuals for Your Car & Truck!
Select Your Cars Manufacturer
store categories

Ford Engine Firing Orders
Ford Engine Firing
Orders

Modifying Small Block Ford Cylinder Heads
Modifying Small
Block Ford Cylinder
Heads

Return Policy
  Buy with confidence!
If for any reason
you're not
completely satisfied
with an item, simply
return it within 30
days and the
purchase price will
be refunded.
International Orders
  We ship world wide.
All international
orders must be paid
online. Checks or
money orders
drawn on non-US
banks will not be
accepted.
Crankshaft and Connecting Rods
Big Block FE Series
Ford FE Engine Bottom End
BASIC INFORMATION
Once you begin to understand the workings of the “FE” series big-blocks, it becomes easier to
match the right components for mighty impressive performance. The beauty of the “FE” is its
interchangability and simple dimensions throughout. All “FE” crankshafts have 2.7488-inch main
and 2.4384-inch rod journals. This makes crank swapping a breeze. The only hang-ups are 410
and 428ci engines, which are externally balanced, unlike the rest of the “FE” engines which are
internally balanced. This means that if you intend to interchange components, you must balance
your mill accordingly or face serious vibration problems later. The 428 Super Cobra Jet mandates
further balancing considerations due to its add-on counterweight and heavier LeMans rods.
There are two connecting rod lengths for all “FE” engines—the long rod, which is 6.540-inches in
length; and the short rod, which is 6.488-inches. And there are four stroke dimensions—3.30-, 3.50-
, 3.784- and 3.984-inches, resulting in four basic crankshaft types. When these strokes are
combined with specific cylinder bore sizes, we come up with different displacements.

The shorter strokes, 3.30- and 3.50-inches, belong to the smaller “FE” big-blocks, the 332, 352,
360 and 361. The longer stroke dimensions, 3.784- and 3.984-inches, belong to the 390, 406, 410,
427 and 428ci engines. The 3.30, 3.50- and 3.784-inch engines rev high. The 3.984-inch stroke
engines, the 410 and 428, don’t rev as high because they are limited by stroke. With stroke comes
torque, however—lots of torque.
Piston types for the “FE” are certainly varied, depending upon engine type and transmission.
Likewise, flywheels, harmonic balancers and accessory drive pulleys are quite involved as well for
the FE-series big-blocks.

The 385-series big-blocks, the 429 and 460, are much easier to understand and remember than
the “FE” engines because just two displacements were offered. The 429 and 460 use the same
length connecting rod—6.6035-inches. Displacement difference comes from the crankshaft only. All
of the 385-series big-blocks are internally balanced, which means interchangeability is unlimited.
Crankshaft
332/352/360/361/390
These “FE” series engines all employ a cast iron crankshaft. The only real different is stroke. The
332 crankshaft has a 3.30-inch stroke. Three castings were made during the life of the 332. All are
interchangeable. The 352 is more involved, but just as interchangeable. Fourteen variations of the
352 crank were produced. The 360ci engine, available only in pickup trucks, used two crankshaft
types during its 1968-76 service life. The Edsel 361 was produced with two crankshaft types during
its two-year run. The 390, which arrived on the scene in 1961, employed 16 different crankshafts
through 1976.

If you are seeking a forged steel crank for your 352/360/390/406/427 engine, you may opt for an
“FT” crank from the 330HD, 361 or 391. These engines, like the 410 and 428, are externally
balanced. This means proper balancing procedures must apply in your build. Where the steel crank
suffers to a certain degree is weight because there is considerable weight gain both in the crank
and flywheel. The weight increase in the crank is due to larger counterweights. The “FT” crank also
has a larger 1.750-inch front shaft versus 1.375-inches for the “FE” shaft. The trick here is to turn
down the “FT” shaft or opt for the “FT” timing cover, harmonic balancer and pulley.
406/410/427/428
With these engines, there are a variety of crankshafts encompassing two stroke lengths—3.784-
and 3.984-inches. The 406 and 427 employ the shorter 3.78-inch stroke also common to the 390.
The 410 and 428 utilize the longest “FE” stroke of 3.98-inches. These two engines are externally
balanced, unlike the 406 and 427 which are internally balanced.
Ford 427 Crankshaft Casting Numbers Ford 427 Crankshaft Oil Plugs
Like most "FE" cranks, the 427 crank is
identified via the casting/forging number
on the journal as shown. This is a cast
crank, identifiable by its parting lines on
the journals and counterweights.
Early 427 cranks had press-in plugs (hollow
journals) like this one. Later on, these cranks
had screw-in plugs.
Previous | Next


This has been a sample page from

High Performance Ford Engine Parts Interchange High Performance Ford Engine
Parts Interchange
by George Reid
First-ever book about Ford parts interchange
Covers
the entire range of Ford engines from
221-CID to 460-CID
This is one of the best books ever written about Ford engines.
Covering both big- and small-block Ford V-8 engines, this
first-ever book on the subject provides indispensable information
to the Ford enthusiast. Included are high performance factory
parts, interchangeability between Ford Windsor and Cleveland
engines, extensive coverage of the 302 and 351 series as well as
the
352, 390, 406, 427, 428, 429, and 460 big block engines,
factory casting numbers, etc. Read the sample pages from each
chapter to learn more!
Click below to view sample
pages from each chapter
"If you are trying to mix and match cranks and rods, this book
will tell you if it can be done. If you are trying to find the correct
casting number for a Boss 429 distributor, this book will have it
listed. What we really find appealing about the book is that, not
only is it a perfect resource for those interested in factory
correct restorations, but it is equally as useful for the
performance oriented engine builder. Each chapter points out
building tips, such as how to improve a Cleveland's oiling
system, or what heads will yield the best horsepower gains. As
with all SA Design books, this one is filled with pages of detailed
photographs and diagrams. This book will prove to be a
priceless resource, as many of the original Ford V-8 parts
become harder and harder to come by."
-- FORDMUSCLE
webmagazine, February, 2000

In Stock and Ready to Ship!

Small Block Fords
Chap. 1 - Small Block Ford
Chap. 2 - Cylinder Block
Chap. 3 - Crankshaft & Rods
Chap. 4 - Oiling System
Chap. 5 - Cylinder  Heads
Chap. 6 - Intake System
Chap. 7 - Ignition System
Chap. 8 - Exhaust Manifolds
Chap. 9 - Cooling System
Big Block Fords
Chap. 10 - Big Blocks
Chap. 11- Cylinder Block
Chap. 12 - Crankshaft & Rods
Chap. 13 - Oiling System
Chap. 14 - Cylinder Head
Chap. 15 - Intake System
Chap. 16 - Ignition System
Chap. 17 - Exhaust Manifolds
Chap. 18 - Cooling System
All Ford Engines
Chap. 19 - Gaskets  
Chap. 20 -
Engine Math  
Softbound
8-3/8 X 10-7/8
160 Pages
417 Color Photos
Item # SA56
Price: $22.95
Click here to buy now!
This is a great book that any Ford engine enthusiast or
engine builder is sure to love!


Other items you might be interested in

Ford Big Block Engines
Hot Rod reports on Ford's big block during the musclecar
years. Covers the 429 intro., 390 & 428 Cobra Jet, FE & 385
Family, 429 Boss, 427 Wedge, 352, 428, 429 & 460
development, 405hp, aluminum heads. This is a great book
full of articles with hard to find information about the big block
Ford.
Ford Big Block Engines
Price:
$ 18.95

The Step by Step Guide to Engine Blueprinting
Practical methods for racing and rebuilding, selecting and
preparing parts, and how to buy machine shop work. This
completely revised and updated version containing an
additional 32 pages is simply the best book you can buy on
engine preparation for street or racing! Engine Blueprinting
shows the reader how to use precision measuring tools,
calculate compression ratios, degree a camshaft, and much
more!
The Step by Step Guide to Engine Blueprinting
Price:
$ 19.95

How to Build Max Performance Ford V-8s on a Budget
This book addresses high-performance V-8 engines
such as the 289, 302, 351ci small-blocks found in
Mustangs, as well as the FE series of big-blocks.
Emphasis throughout is a budget approach to building
high performance power plants through the use of
over-the-counter factory components and selected
aftermarket pieces. Includes realistic, low-cost formulas
for building serious horsepower in Ford V-8 engines.
How to Build Max Performance Ford V-8s on a Budget
Price:
$ 22.95



Shipping discounts are available for multiple item purchases. BUY MORE AND SAVE!
Payment, Shipping and Sales Tax
line 1 line 2
Payment, Shipping & Sales Tax: Iowa residents must pay 7% sales tax. Items usually ship
within one business day of receipt of payment! Standard shipping is a flat rate of $5.95 to
anywhere in the United States with USPS Media Mail. Priority Mail shipping is available for an
additional $2.00, or $7.95 for shipping. Shipping is combined and discounted for multiple item
purchases as follows: first item regular shipping price, add $1.95 for each additional item. For
purchases of 3 or more items shipping is automatically upgraded to Priority for no additional
charge! We offer world wide shipping and ship to Canada and Mexico with USPS Priority Mail
International for $21.95, and to most locations in Europe, Australia, Asia, Japan and South
America for $25.95. Satisfaction is Guaranteed. Our store has a NO HASSLE RETURN POLICY
within 30 days of purchase.
MRE-Books - Transportation books and Manuals

Book of the Day
1960 - 1964 Ford Car Parts Catalog on CD
1960 - 1964 Ford
Car Parts Catalog
on CD
$19.95
In Stock

Best Sellers
High Performance Ford Engine Parts Interchange
High Performance
Ford Engine Parts
Interchange
$22.95
In Stock

The Ranger and Bronco II V8 Conversion
The Ranger and
Bronco II V8
Conversion
$12.00
In Stock

How to Build Big-Inch Ford Small Blocks
How to Build
Big-Inch Ford Small
Blocks
$22.95
In Stock

How to Build Performance 4.6 Liter Ford Engines
How to Build
Performance 4.6
Liter Ford Engines
$22.95
In Stock

Drag Race Chassis and Suspension
Drag Race
Chassis and
Suspension
$19.95
In Stock

How to Build Max Performance Ford V-8s on a Budget
How to Build Max
Performance Ford
V-8s on a Budget
$22.95
In Stock

Secure Payments Processed by Paypal!
Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover accepted by this store!

MRE Books is upfront

SiteLock

Store Home | FAQ | About Us | Contact us

Copyright © 1997-2012 MRE-Books. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
No part of this web site may be copied or reproduced without written permission.