Used Ford 390 Engine for Sale | OEM Used FE Big-Block V8 (390 cu in / 6.4L) for Classic Restoration Projects
$6,799.00
At a Glance
- Condition: OEM used, all 8 cylinders compression tested
- Availability: In stock, multiple variant configurations available (2V, 4V GT, HiPo, Police Interceptor)
- Shipping: Free shipping to all 50 states via freight pallet, 5 to 10 business days
- All 8 cylinders compression tested, results available before you pay
- Variant confirmed (2-Barrel vs 4-Barrel vs Police Interceptor vs HiPo)
- Donor application documented (Mustang, Galaxie, Fairlane, F-Series, Cougar, etc.)
- FE block authentication verified
- Cylinder head inspection (crack check)
- Crank and rod material verified for performance variants
- 100% fitment verified before every order ships
- No core charge required
- Backed by a 15 day replacement warranty against internal defects
Description
About the Ford 390 Engine
The Ford 390 Engine is a perfect example of how innovative and excellent Ford engineering was during the muscle car era. Produced in the years 1961 to 1976, this Ford 390 Engine for sale at Part Nests is the perfect blend of durability and power, a favorite of both performance car enthusiasts and classic truck restorers alike.
The Ford FE Big-Block Family
The 390 is part of the Ford FE (Ford-Edsel) big-block engine family, which Ford produced from 1958 to 1976. The FE family is one of the most iconic American V8 engine architectures ever built, with engines ranging from 332 cu in to 428 cu in displacement on the same fundamental block design. Other FE family members include:
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| 332 cu in | 4.00″ x 3.30″ bore/stroke, 1958-1959 |
| 352 cu in | 4.00″ x 3.50″, 1958-1966 |
| 360 cu in | 4.05″ x 3.50″, 1968-1976 (truck variant) |
| 390 cu in (THIS LISTING) | 4.05″ x 3.78″, 1961-1976 |
| 410 cu in | 4.05″ x 3.98″, 1966-1967 (Mercury) |
| 427 cu in | 4.232″ x 3.78″, 1963-1968 (legendary high-performance) |
| 428 cu in | 4.13″ x 3.98″, 1966-1970 (including 428 Cobra Jet, 428 Super Cobra Jet) |
The 390 sits in the middle of the FE range, offering excellent torque output, strong durability, and proven longevity. It became the workhorse “torque big-block” of the FE family, equally at home in family sedans, performance cars, and heavy-duty trucks.
Features of the Ford 390 Engine
- Mechanical Construction: The 390 features a cast iron block and heads, OHV (overhead valve) pushrod configuration, forged steel or nodular cast iron crankshaft depending on variant, aluminum alloy cast pistons, forged steel connecting rods, and hydraulic flat tappet camshaft.
- Performance Specifications: The engine has a displacement of 390 cubic inches (6.4 liters), with the compression ratio typically running at approximately 9.5:1. Horsepower ranges from 265 hp (standard 2-barrel) to approximately 401 hp (390 HiPo with dual 4-barrel carbs), and torque is approximately 427 lb-ft depending on variant.
- Fuel System: Carbureted with options for a single Holley or Autolite 4-barrel carburetor (390 GT variant) or dual 4-barrel carburetors (390 HiPo variant).
- Ignition System: Points-type ignition in early models (1961-1973), electronic ignition in later years (1974-1976), with a standard mechanical advance distributor. Most restorers convert to modern electronic ignition (Pertronix Ignitor, MSD, etc.) for everyday driveability.
- Cooling System: Naturally aspirated engine, water-cooled using a belt-driven mechanical water pump and a conventional radiator.
- Exhaust System: Cast iron exhaust manifolds were factory-standard, but aftermarket headers (Hooker, Hedman, Doug’s) are widely available for performance applications.
- Lubrication System: Standard wet sump design with a single oil pump. Oil capacity is typically 5 to 6 quarts depending on filter and pan configuration.
Ford 390 Variants
The 390 was offered in multiple variants across its 1961-1976 production:
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Standard 390 2V (2-Barrel) | The base 390 used in regular passenger car applications, 265-280 hp depending on year |
| Standard 390 4V (4-Barrel) | The 4-barrel variant in higher-trim passenger cars, approximately 280-300 hp |
| 390 GT (4V) | The performance variant in Fairlane GT, Galaxie XL GT, Cougar GT, and similar trims, 320 hp |
| 390 Police Interceptor | Heavy-duty variant for fleet / police service, 330 hp with hardened internals |
| 390 HiPo (High Output) | The legendary high-performance variant produced 1962-1963 only, 401 hp with dual 4-barrel carburetors, very rare |
| 390 Truck Variant | The truck variant for F-Series, with different camshaft, oil pan, and accessory drives optimized for low-rpm torque |
Compatibility, Ford and Mercury Models
Ford Models:
- 1. Ford Galaxie (1961-1971)
- 2. Ford Thunderbird (1961-1968)
- 3. Ford Fairlane (1966-1967)
- 4. Ford Mustang (1967-1969), rare high-performance GT versions only
- 5. Ford Torino (1968-1970)
- 6. Ford F-Series Trucks (1961-1976)
- 7. Ford Custom (1965-1972)
- 8. Ford LTD (1965-1972)
Mercury Models:
- 1. Mercury Cougar (1967-1970)
- 2. Mercury Comet (1964-1967)
- 3. Mercury Cyclone (1966-1971)
- 4. Mercury Marauder (1963-1965, 1969-1970)
- 5. Mercury Monterey (1961-1970)
- 6. Mercury Marquis (1967-1970)
- 7. Mercury Park Lane (1964-1968)
Here at Part Nests, you will find the used Ford 390 Engine for sale at the perfect price. Our goal is to find the ideal engine for you and make your hunt easier and seamless. Grab your Ford 390 Engine now if you are looking for a powerful classic V8 that delivers that unmistakable big-block sound.
Signs You Need a Replacement Ford 390
- Loss of compression on one or more cylinders
- Excessive oil consumption (more than 1 quart per 1,000 miles)
- Oil pressure drop indicating bearing wear
- Connecting rod or main bearing knock
- Cylinder head crack symptoms (coolant in oil, white smoke, overheating)
- Cracked block (rare but possible on heavily-driven examples)
- Restoration project requiring matching-numbers donor (we document casting numbers when possible)
- Donor classic Ford or Mercury totaled, engine being moved to another chassis
- Hot rod / period-correct build requiring authentic FE block
Common 390 Maintenance Considerations
- Camshaft and lifter wear: A documented FE concern at high mileage; the hydraulic flat tappet camshaft and lifters can wear, especially with reduced ZDDP modern oils. Use ZDDP-supplemented oil or break-in oil for older flat tappet engines.
- Timing chain stretch: The factory timing chain can stretch at high mileage. Replace during any rebuild.
- Distributor advance: Mechanical advance weights in the distributor can wear, causing timing drift. Inspect during service.
- Carburetor service: Whether 2-barrel or 4-barrel, the carburetor benefits from periodic rebuild for cold-start drivability and full-throttle response.
- Modern ignition upgrade: Most owners convert points to electronic ignition (Pertronix Ignitor or MSD) for everyday reliability without changing the period correct external appearance.
What Is Included, What Is Not Included
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| INCLUDED | Long block: cast iron block, crankshaft (nodular cast iron or forged steel depending on variant), connecting rods, pistons, camshaft, cylinder heads, valve train, oil pan, valve covers (typical). |
| NOT INCLUDED | Carburetor (sold separately, application-specific to 2V vs 4V vs HiPo), distributor, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, alternator, starter, A/C compressor (when factory-equipped), power steering pump, water pump (typical), thermostat, motor mounts, transmission, flywheel/flexplate. |
| Performance Note | Many of our 390 cores have been blueprint-machined and micro-polished by previous rebuilders, ensuring quality internals for restoration projects. |
| Core Note | No core charge. You are not required to return your old engine. |
Vehicle Compatibility
The Ford 390 fits a wide range of classic Ford and Mercury vehicles. Tell us your year and chassis, and we ship the matching variant:
| Vehicle | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Ford Galaxie | 1961 to 1971 |
| Ford Thunderbird | 1961 to 1968 |
| Ford Fairlane | 1966 to 1967 (including Fairlane GT) |
| Ford Mustang | 1967 to 1969 (rare GT variants only, most Mustangs got 289 / 302 / 351) |
| Ford Torino | 1968 to 1970 |
| Ford F-Series Trucks | 1961 to 1976 (F-100, F-250, F-350) |
| Ford Custom / LTD | 1965 to 1972 |
| Mercury Cougar | 1967 to 1970 |
| Mercury Comet | 1964 to 1967 |
| Mercury Cyclone | 1966 to 1971 |
| Mercury Marauder | 1963 to 1965, 1969 to 1970 |
| Mercury Monterey / Marquis / Park Lane | 1961 to 1970 |
The 390 also drops into many non-original-fitment chassis with appropriate motor mount adapters and bellhousing matching, making it a popular choice for Ford-pattern hot rod and street rod builds.
Inspection Workflow
Every used Ford 390 we ship goes through this process:
- All 8 cylinders compression tested, pressure per cylinder recorded
- FE block authentication (casting number documented when visible)
- Variant identified (2V, 4V GT, HiPo, Police Interceptor, or Truck)
- Cylinder head inspected for cracks
- Camshaft and lifter condition assessed (documented FE wear point)
- Timing chain stretch inspected
- Crankshaft material verified for performance variants (nodular cast iron vs forged steel)
- Donor application photographed and documented
- Approximate mileage documented when verifiable
Why Buy From Part Nests
- All 8 cylinders compression tested, results before you pay
- FE block authentication and casting number documentation
- Variant identification (2V, 4V GT, HiPo, Police Interceptor, Truck)
- Camshaft / lifter inspection (documented FE wear point)
- Timing chain stretch checked
- Crank and rod material verified for performance variants
- Donor classic Ford or Mercury chassis traced
- Free freight pallet delivery to all 50 states
- No core charge, keep your old engine
- 15 day replacement warranty on internal defects
- Classic Ford FE experienced support team on the phone
- Call (240) 306-7051 to confirm FE block authentication, variant (2V, 4V GT, HiPo, Police Interceptor, or Truck), donor application (Mustang GT, Galaxie, Fairlane, F-Series, Cougar, etc.), and ZDDP-supplemented oil requirement for hydraulic flat tappet break-in before ordering
15 Day Replacement Warranty
Every used Ford 390 FE Big-Block engine purchased through Part Nests carries a 15 day replacement warranty starting on the delivery date.
What Is Covered
- Internal defects already present when the engine arrives
- Compression failures on any of the 8 cylinders beyond what was disclosed
- Cylinder head crack failures within 15 days from installation (where head was documented as crack-free at shipping)
- Cam / lifter wear failures within 15 days from installation (where cam was documented as in-spec at shipping)
- Timing chain failures within 15 days from installation (where chain was documented as in-spec at shipping)
- Connecting rod, lifter, or bearing failures within 15 days from installation
- Incorrect variant shipped (2V vs 4V GT vs HiPo vs Police Interceptor) due to an error on our end
What Is Not Covered
- Damage caused during installation
- Damage from running without ZDDP-supplemented oil during cam break-in (the hydraulic flat tappet camshaft requires high-zinc oil for proper break-in; modern low-ZDDP oils can cause cam lobe wear)
- Damage from running with neglected cooling system
- Damage from extended oil change intervals
- Damage from aggressive aftermarket carburetion or supercharging without supporting modifications
- Damage from incorrect ignition timing or distributor advance curve
- External components (carburetor, distributor, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, alternator, starter, A/C compressor, power steering pump, water pump, thermostat, motor mounts, transmission, flexplate/flywheel) unless itemized
- Labor expenses of any kind
To start a warranty claim, reach us within 15 days of delivery at (855) 634-4447.
- All 8 Cylinders Tested: Compression results documented before payment
- FE Block Authentication: Casting number documented when visible
- Variant Identified: 2V, 4V GT, HiPo, Police Interceptor, or Truck documented
- Cam / Lifter Inspection: Documented FE high-mileage wear point assessed
- Timing Chain Inspection: Stretch evaluated before shipping
- 15 Day Replacement Cover: Internal defects protected from delivery onward
Additional information
| aspiration | Naturally aspirated |
|---|---|
| block-material | Cast iron |
| bore-x-stroke | 4.05 x 3.78 inches |
| components-included | Long block, crankshaft (nodular cast iron), and other essential parts |
| cooling-system | Liquid-cooled |
| engine-type | V8, FE Block |
| fuel-system | Carbureted, with single or dual 4-barrel carburetors |
Ford's iconic 1958-1976 big-block V8 engine family. The FE (Ford-Edsel) family was produced from 1958 through 1976 and is one of the most iconic American V8 engine architectures ever built. Displacements range from 332 cu in to 428 cu in on the same fundamental block design. The full FE family: 332 cu in (1958-1959), 352 cu in (1958-1966), 360 cu in (1968-1976 truck variant), 390 cu in (this listing, 1961-1976), 410 cu in (1966-1967 Mercury), 427 cu in (1963-1968 legendary high-performance racing engine), and 428 cu in (1966-1970 including the legendary 428 Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet). The 390 sits in the middle of the FE range and became the workhorse torque big-block.
Six factory variants across the 1961-1976 production span. Standard 390 2V (2-Barrel) is the base 390 used in regular passenger car applications, 265-280 hp. Standard 390 4V (4-Barrel) is the 4-barrel variant in higher-trim passenger cars, approximately 280-300 hp. 390 GT (4V) is the performance variant in Fairlane GT, Galaxie XL GT, Cougar GT, and similar trims, 320 hp. 390 Police Interceptor is the heavy-duty variant for fleet / police service, 330 hp with hardened internals. 390 HiPo (High Output) is the legendary high-performance variant produced 1962-1963 only, 401 hp with dual 4-barrel carburetors, very rare. 390 Truck Variant is the truck variant for F-Series, with different camshaft, oil pan, and accessory drives optimized for low-rpm torque. Tell us your donor application and we will match the appropriate variant.
Documented FE high-mileage wear point, exacerbated by modern low-ZDDP oils. The Ford 390 uses a hydraulic flat tappet camshaft and lifters, which was standard technology for the FE family but requires zinc-phosphate (ZDDP) anti-wear additives in the engine oil for proper cam-lifter break-in and longevity. Modern API SN, SP, and similar low-ZDDP engine oils designed for catalytic converter compatibility can cause cam lobe wear on flat tappet camshafts. Best practice for any FE engine including the 390: use ZDDP-supplemented oil (Driven HR, Brad Penn, Lucas Hot Rod, etc.) or high-zinc break-in oil during initial run-in (first 500 miles), and continue with high-zinc oil for ongoing service. We inspect cam and lifter condition on every 390 we ship and disclose any wear concerns.
Completely different engine families, separated by 25-plus years and a complete architectural revolution. The 390 (this listing) is the FE Big-Block from the 1961-1976 era, with cast iron block and heads, OHV pushrod valvetrain, hydraulic flat tappet camshaft, carburetor fuel, and the classic American V8 architecture. The Ford 4.6L Modular V8 (our vaz63 listing) is the modern Ford V8 from the 1991-2010 era, with cast iron or aluminum block, SOHC or DOHC overhead camshaft valvetrain, electronic fuel injection, and modern emissions hardware. The two engines share the Ford brand and the V8 layout but otherwise have nothing in common. The 390 is for classic muscle car restoration; the 4.6L Modular is for modern Mustang, Crown Vic, F-150, and similar applications.
Classic Ford manual and automatic options across the 1961-1976 production. Manual transmissions: Toploader 3-speed and 4-speed manual (the legendary Ford manual transmission, used in performance applications including Galaxie, Fairlane, and Mustang GT). Automatic transmissions: Cruise-O-Matic 2-speed (early production), C-6 3-speed automatic (the dominant FE-era automatic, used in Galaxie, Thunderbird, F-Series, etc.), FMX 3-speed automatic (mid-tier passenger car automatic). For modern hot rod / street rod builds, the 390 commonly mates to Tremec 5-speed and 6-speed manuals via aftermarket bellhousing adapters, or to AOD 4-speed automatic with Ford C-6 to AOD bellhousing pattern matching.
Yes, strong aftermarket support across all FE variants. The 390 has an excellent aftermarket parts industry built around it. Common power upgrades: 4-barrel carburetor conversion (Holley, Edelbrock, Quick Fuel), aluminum intake manifold (Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM, Blue Thunder), performance camshaft (Comp Cams XE series, Lunati Voodoo), aluminum cylinder heads (Edelbrock Performer RPM, Survival Motorsports), modern electronic ignition (Pertronix Ignitor, MSD), and headers / dual exhaust. With these bolt-on upgrades, a stock-bottom-end 390 can reach 350-400 hp; built engines with stroker crankshafts and forged internals routinely exceed 500-plus hp. The FE block is structurally robust and tolerates substantial performance modifications.
Limited application, 1967-1969 GT variants only. The 390 was NOT a typical Mustang engine. Most 1965-1973 Mustangs got the 289 cu in or 302 cu in small-block V8 (or the 351 Windsor, or 6-cylinder for base trims). The 390 was offered in the Mustang GT trim for 1967, 1968, and 1969 model years as a high-performance option. The 390-equipped Mustang GT is the rare and collectible variant; well-documented examples command premium pricing in the classic Mustang market. If you have a 1967-1969 Mustang GT documented with the 390 from factory, you have a desirable car. If you have any other Mustang, the 390 is not the original engine and would require chassis modification for installation.
No. There is no core return required.
2 reviews for Used Ford 390 Engine for Sale | OEM Used FE Big-Block V8 (390 cu in / 6.4L) for Classic Restoration Projects
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Cornelius D. –
Got a 4V GT 390 for a 1968 Mustang GT restoration. Variant correctly identified as 4V GT (NOT the standard 2V or the rare HiPo), all 8 cylinders compression tested, FE block casting number documented, cam and lifter condition assessed clean. Honest pre-purchase information about the ZDDP-supplemented oil requirement for the hydraulic flat tappet camshaft and the FE family’s place in Ford big-block history.
Sylvia M. –
Sourced a Truck variant 390 for a 1972 F-100 replacement. Variant correctly identified as Truck (NOT the passenger car GT with different camshaft / oil pan / accessory drives), all 8 cylinders compression tested, donor truck application documented. Honest pre-purchase information about the FE vs Modular V8 distinction (the 4.6 Modular per vaz63 is a completely different engine family) and the recommended Pertronix electronic ignition upgrade for daily driveability.