I just got a 390 hipo and I want to put it in a maverick that I got. The front end has all been redone on the car so the less I have to cut the better. Do I have to go with a mustang 2 front end?
The phrase "If you have to ask..." comes to mind. First: This will require lots of work, fabrication, and lots and lots of cutting. Second: In MY opinion, even if the engine is FREE....still not worth it. A 390 is a huge boat anchor in my opinion.
Hey hey there Craig my 54 crestline got a 390 in it. It works pretty good. But I agree a Maverick is no place for one
Huge ? Yes Boat Anchor ? NO !! Find a car or pickup for it. You can make just as much power in a smaller package (302 based stroker) that fits in a Maverick/Comet without cutting.
I agree, if your not ready/prepared to do a lot of cutting and fabricating - put that FE series motor is something else, or put it up for sale. I also, don't think the FE engines are boat anchors. Given all the aftermarket stuff available now, one can make big gains in power if they have the will and finances.
I had thought about putting an FE into my car...but money and time and money put me on a stroker path...plenty of power to leave you smilin
The Mustang II type front end would be a start but then you have to solve problem #2 - #3 - #4 etc etc - I did it with a stroked Cleveland but it still wasn't easy - the Mustang II suspension then causes other challenges
A FE is probably at least 2" too wide to fit a Maverick, would have to cut out the shock towers... If you don't want to cut towers could take two Mav and cut each off center to left and right by 1½", put the two wider halves back together and have a Widerick... Yeah I'm joking but have seen it done on a few vans... Were so many bread and butter 390 out there they've given the FE a bad rap, but most of the issues were intake and exhaust manifold related... Swap to a aftermarket intake, headers and decent cam with good valve springs, they'll run(ummm sounds like same mods that'll wake up a small block)... With aluminum heads, intake and headers a FE will weigh close to a all iron 351... The aluminum intake alone will cut over 50lb...
anything is possible and the 390s are a very fun motor that can be made to produce mad power but the modifications to the car just to make it fit are just not worth it imho I thought about it since I had a 390 sitting in my yard but parts cost more than a small block and a small block can perform the same with the right parts a stroker motor is the way to go. if you want more than a 302 to start go with a 351 and build it if youre shooting for something different then do what you have to to fit that 390 the m2 is just a good way to steer the car with that much more weight over the front tires. theres a car that runs around here with a big block with stock springs and suspension set up so you can do anything if youre willing and if your wallet agrees to go along for the ride GO FOR IT
