Ford 391 Industrial Engine
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:08 pm
My brother just bought a 74 Blue Bird school bus. Not sure why but he did. It has a 391 FT engine in it. Has anyone ever done anything with theis engine or the FT series?
My reaserach indicated that the FE 360/390 heads are interchangeable but requires mods to the intake. Also are there aftermarket cams for these things? My comp cams book doesnt say anything about them.
Basicially it sounds like a heavy duty 390FE with heavier webbings, forged crank, and forged rods.
Its also got a dual speed rearend. Anyone got any tips on these?
I was planning on pulling the engine, tranny and rearend and doing a basic rebuild (rings, bearings, oil pump, timing, gaskets, and fresh paint) . since we dont know how many miles are acttually on it, it would be best just for piece of mind. After all i could do that for the same price as a single tow job. This bus was owned by a church that used it for mission trips from Oklahoma to centra america. Personally i wouldnt want to drive it across town in its current condition.
We tried to move it this weekend to his shop about 70 miles away. He made it about half way before the air compressor went out and locked up the air brakes. We rednecked the air braked by hooking up a air compressor to the main air line and plugged the compressor into the on board generator. Probably not legal but it got us too the shop.
My reaserach indicated that the FE 360/390 heads are interchangeable but requires mods to the intake. Also are there aftermarket cams for these things? My comp cams book doesnt say anything about them.
Basicially it sounds like a heavy duty 390FE with heavier webbings, forged crank, and forged rods.
Its also got a dual speed rearend. Anyone got any tips on these?
I was planning on pulling the engine, tranny and rearend and doing a basic rebuild (rings, bearings, oil pump, timing, gaskets, and fresh paint) . since we dont know how many miles are acttually on it, it would be best just for piece of mind. After all i could do that for the same price as a single tow job. This bus was owned by a church that used it for mission trips from Oklahoma to centra america. Personally i wouldnt want to drive it across town in its current condition.
We tried to move it this weekend to his shop about 70 miles away. He made it about half way before the air compressor went out and locked up the air brakes. We rednecked the air braked by hooking up a air compressor to the main air line and plugged the compressor into the on board generator. Probably not legal but it got us too the shop.