may seem to be off topic, but their is a method to my madness.

[williamskinner16]

I have a 66' F100- and this group has more in common than the F-Series Group. My future ride requires an upgrade in the brake issue ( as well as other drivability concearns) that one of you may have in common with. I would feel safer if I had power brakes and an operating Emergency brake system. Have any of you converted your ride to power on a budget?(eventually I want a front disc conversion but money will make me wait) right now, it is a single resevoir master cylender.
Also what is the reputation of the 352" FE? I dont intend on racing, and the motor seems pretty powerful and reliable, as is. after my safety issues: brakes and rolling chassis and similar upgrades, and as long as I am satisfied with a compression test, is the 352 worth a mild upgrade?
(New gaskets and seals,Mild cam,convert the ignition, new oil pump, Electric fuel pump, 600cfm carb with electric choke, and performer intake, that sort of bolt on upgrade for mild performance and preventitive reliability)
If any one has had experience with your classic ride please tell me what you think.

[MagicRat]

The 352 FE is a great engine. The FE series was built from 1958 (in Fords and Edsels, hence the term "FE") to early 1977, in 332, 352, 360,361, 390, 391, 406, 410, 427 and 428 cid.
The 390 ci size seems to be the most common.

These engines are big, strong, durable and a bit heavy. They can be made to perform very well and the 406, 410, 427 and 428 got a lot of high performance development back in the '60's .

Just a warning....this engine family gets complicated.....there are so many variations of intakes, cranks and cylinder heads that will fit together, but will yield poor results unless you know what you are doing. For example, heads on a 332 will bolt on to a 428, but would kill the power. In turn, 428 heads will bolt on a 332, but the valves will hit the pistons.
So for your mods, stick to headers (390 truck headers will fit) and aftermarket dual plane intakes, to start with. These will bolt to a 390 as well if you upgrade later.

If these engines have any weak point, its the oiling system. Its fine for street performance use, but if you want to build a race engine, some mods are required. Ford did build a factory hi po FE engine with extensive oil system mods called the 'side oiler' Its rare and expensive these days.

The ultimate factory FE was called the SOHC engine, which was a side oiler 427 with factory over head cams, very advanced and exotic for Detroit in the late '60's!!

If your engine is really worn out, consider swapping in a 390, rather than rebuild the 352.
The larger displacements will bolt in, but are rare and expensive these days.

Try looking at www.fordfe.com

As for the brakes....power brakes were a factory option so look for a factory power brake booster ,master cylinder and any proportioning valves etc that belong in the system. The actual brakes that you have on the axles will work fine with power.

IMHO use parts from 1967 or '68 so you can get a dual brake system. Its a lot safer, and should bolt right on.

[williamskinner16]

Thanks for the info, it was very helpful. I'm going to wait on working on the motor for a while. I havent done a compression test yet but It seems to run strong and maintains good oil pressure (60 psi at fast idle).
for now though I think upgrading the brakes to power dual M/Cyl., installing a front end kit, and a set of body mounts are of a more important concearn, that is safety. its not as fun, but when im driving in bay area traffic I think it would give me peace of mind knowing I can stop.

Thanks again