School me on the 352 v8

[5.4MarkVIII]

So didn't check the engine codes when I bought the third. Guy said it was a 390. Now that I have it out there is a 352 stamped on the front. Sucks but not the end of the world. I just really don't know much with these motors. Is it basically a 351? Are they cheap to build? Good for power? Or just a boat anchor?

[Scott]

Not even close to a 351 Windsor or Cleveland. They are from the FE Series - 332, 352, 390, 427 and 428. Best of the bunch are clearly the 427 and 428's (Cobra Jet that is). 427's held their own in NASCAR in the 60's and Ford placed 1-2-3 in the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans with them. 428 Cobra Jets did very well in NHRA stock and super stock drag racing as well.

I had a 352 in a 1960 Galaxie and I remember swapping a 2 barrel intake for a 4 barrel one...it took a man and a boy just to lift the cast iron intakes. Sorry, but I cast my vote for boat anchor.

[ZR]

if memory serves, pretty sure the all FE engines had 352 cast into the block (352 +390 for sure). Need to check bore n stroke to confirm what you've got.

[ZR]

Quickie Google search, found this.

Nearly all "FE" blocks have this "352" in the casting at the front of the block, including the 427s. This casting

identification began with the 352ci engines in 1958 and remained with the "FE" throughout its service life.

Hydraulic lifter blocks have drilled passages (arrows) to feed the lifters. Mechanical lifter blocks, such as early 332/352, 352 and 390 High Performance, 427 and some 428 Police Interceptors, are not drilled at these bosses.

Another change to watch out for is the engine mount bolt holes on pre-1965 “FE” blocks. Blocks

before 1965 had two-bolt engine mounts while those from 1965 and later had three-bolt engine

mounts. This isn’t a problem if you plan on using a 1965 and later block in a pre-1965 vehicle.

Problems abound when using a pre-1965 block in a post-1965 vehicle because some machining

and drilling are required. If you find a block with four engine mount attachment holes on each side,

you’ve found an “FT” block for trucks.

[ZR]

Still a chance you have a 390.

[5.4MarkVIII]

Maby that's good news. Was reading a bit on wiki about them this aft. I need to find some time to clean it up then crack it open and have a look inside. It ran but rough which was probably due to the rusted off spark plugs. It leaked oil from just about every gasket.

[5.4MarkVIII]

So furth research shows that the 352 was available late 50s early 60s. From 64 to 66. Only the 390 was available with rumors of dealer built 427s. Until 67 when the 427 became an option.

[ZR]

Super prone to leaking via it's unique intake manfold set up. Thankfully, modern marvel called silicone works marvels on sealing em up.

[Krazpny]

I had a 64 tbird and it was stamped with a 352 but it was a 390

[5.4MarkVIII]

Got a chance last night to start tearing it down. Kind of a effed up way to do the heads and intake and my god you guys were not kidding. That thing weights a metric ton.

Any way it's looking like the motor has be rebuilt and not run much. The Pistons are butterfly cut and are stamped with 0.030.
The flames appear to have two springs per valve. (Don't remember the proper term but an inner spring one way and the big outer spring the other.
All the cylinders still have very prominent honing marks. And no ring ridge at all.
Have not pulled the bottom end apart yet but. Ther is a lot of carbon build up

Guessing the dealer that he bought it from rebuilt the motor and the carbon build up is because the guy parked it and only fired it up ever couple months to run it breafly.
So all in all it looks like good news. Just needs some new gaskets. An intake carb and cam. Defiantly a lumpy cam

[ZR]

Peeps forget how fast a carb'd engine like that loads up, especially when they aren't driven.
Yea intake is a monster. Spring with a damper by the sounds of your description or perhaps double springs.

[5.4MarkVIII]

Are dampners on the springs factory or does that mean someone has upgraded them?

[ZR]

Was common place.

[ZR]

Look like this?

https://s3.amazonaws.com/gearbox-yearone-com/part-images/p/p3614542.png

[5.4MarkVIII]

Yep. That's what they look like

[ZR]

Damper for sure.