1972 Ford F-250 highboy

[Kylee!]

I have a 1972 Ford F-250 highboy 4x4 with the 390 in it, and I can’t tell whether it’s a ranger or ranger xlt! Would anyone be able to tell me how I could find out! Thank you!

 

[snoranger]

 

[don4331]

I have a 1972 Ford F-250 highboy 4x4 with the 390 in it, and I can’t tell whether it’s a ranger or ranger xlt! Would anyone be able to tell me how I could find out! Thank you!

So, the 360 was replaced? Does it have power brakes?

 

[Kylee!]

So, the 360 was replaced? Does it have power brakes?

Actually the 390 is the original motor!! It doesn’t! We want to change the drum brakes to disc brakes though!

 

[snoranger]

Actually the 390 is the original motor!! It doesn’t! We want to change the drum brakes to disc brakes though!

Highboys never came with the 390 from the factory.

 

[Kylee!]

Its the original engine, and a highboy we call it a 390 but it’s actually a 400!

 

[snoranger]

Its the original engine, and a highboy we call it a 390 but it’s actually a 400!

The 390 (FE engine) has a 4.05” bore and a 3.785 stroke... that equals 390.08 cubic inches, not 400.

The 400 (335 series engine) wasn’t available until ‘77 and the “highboy” was only available until mid ‘77. The 400 has 4” bore and stroke, it measures 402 cubic inches.

I know someone who would pay to see the VIN proving that it came with 390 (just the first 5 characters would be enough)... and I would love to see it. If the truck did actually come with a 390 and has a VIN to prove it, it’s a VERY valuable truck. No one has ever proven that their highboy came with a 390.

 

[don4331]

Yes, if it is "high boy" with 390, it it is true Unicorn. Like snoranger, I'd like to see the start of the VIN/pictures.

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I always though 390 was: 4.052" bore and 3.784" stroke for 390.36 in^3, which rounded down to 390; the steel cranked "heavy truck" version was labelled 391​

360 was 4.047" bore and 3.500" stroke for 360.18 in^3, which rounded down to 360; the steel cranked "heavy truck" version was labelled 361​

410 was 4.054" bore and 3.980" stroke for 410.99 in^3, but 410 sounds better so rounded down​

428 was 4.132" bore and 3.984" stroke for 427.39 in^3, but named 428 so as not to confuse with the 427​

427 was 4.232" bore and 3.784" stroke for 425.82 in^3, but named 427 so as not to confuse with Dodge's 426.​

All the above are FE engines (there is also 332, 352 and 406) 427 Cammer relates to 427 like 4.0 SoHC to the 4.0 OHV.​

​

400 is a 335 series Ford "small block" and completely wrong for that truck.​

And you would want to keep all the parts should you change from manual/drum to power/disc brakes as the conversion would seriously reduce its value as 'collector' truck.