Checking Stroke

[Calvin Gunter]

I remember reading on here a while back as to how to check the stroke of my FE with a wooden dowel.But now I can't find it.Does anyone have that info and what the different lengths meant in terms of what engine size?TIA,Calvin

[stangconv]

A majority of FE blocks have either a '352' or a backwards '501' cast into the front of the block. With the exception of a few hi-performance 428 blocks, most all other FE blocks are identical externally. The only way of differentiating between them, since there are no external markings to tell you what you've got, is to measure the stroke. Simply rotate the crankshaft around until the #1 cylinder is at TDC (top dead center) as indicated at the timing mark. Remove the spark plug and insert a wooden dowel into the cylinder until you hit the top of the piston and make a mark on the dowel. (Use the valve cover lip as a constant reference source.) Then remove the spark plug from the #4 cylinder (when #1 is TDC, #4 is BDC) and make another mark on the dowel. Then measure the difference. A 360 has a 3.50" stroke and a 390 has a 3.78" stroke.

http://www.fordification.com/FEcasting-numbers.htm

[fordman]

3.78 is a 390 and 3.50 is a 360 i am unsure about 352 if its the same stoke or not. i think it is. i think 352 has a different bore.

to measure the stroke make sure the piston is at the bottom of the stroke. stick a dowel rod in the hole. and mark the location on the rod. roll the engine over by hand and when the piston reaches the top mark the rod again. remove the rod and measure the distances between the marks.

[SteveC]

352 is the same as the 360... 3.5 the bore is a bit smaller.

[ares360]