Ford FE Bore and Stroke Chart: Every FE and FT Engine (2026)
Quick answer: Ford FE engines (1958–1976 cars and light trucks) and their FT medium/heavy-truck versions (1964–1978) all share a 4.63 in bore spacing and a 10.17 in deck height. Displacement comes from four strokes (3.30, 3.50, 3.785 and 3.98 in) paired with bores from 3.875 to 4.232 in. The 390 is 4.05 × 3.785 in, the 427 is 4.232 × 3.785 in and the 428 is 4.13 × 3.98 in.
This chart lists every FE and FT displacement with bore, stroke, years and main uses. It also covers connecting-rod lengths, how to tell a 352 from a 390 or 360 when the block casting doesn’t say, and how FT truck engines differ from FE car engines.
Ford FE and FT Bore and Stroke Chart
| Engine (ci) | Family | Bore (in) | Stroke (in) | Years | Main applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330 | FT | 3.875 | 3.50 | 1964–1978 | Medium/heavy trucks (MD and HD versions) |
| 332 | FE | 4.00 | 3.30 | 1958–1959 | Ford cars; 1959 Edsel, export Edsels |
| 352 | FE | 4.00 | 3.50 | 1958–1967 | Ford cars, Thunderbird, F-Series (to 1967) |
| 360 | FE | 4.05 | 3.50 | 1968–1976 | F-Series pickups |
| 361 | FE (Edsel) | 4.05 | 3.50 | 1958–1959 | Edsel; 1958 Ford Police; Canadian Fords |
| 361 | FT | 4.05 | 3.50 | 1964–1978 | Medium/heavy trucks |
| 390 | FE | 4.05 | 3.785 | 1961–1976 | Galaxie, Thunderbird, Mustang/Fairlane GT, Mercury, F-Series |
| 391 | FT | 4.05 | 3.785–3.79 | 1964–1978 | Medium/heavy trucks |
| 406 | FE | 4.13 | 3.785 | 1962–1963 | High-performance Galaxie, Mercury |
| 410 | FE | 4.05 | 3.98 | 1966–1967 | Mercury only |
| 427 | FE | 4.232 | 3.785 | 1963–1968 | NASCAR, Fairlane Thunderbolt, GT40 Mk II, Shelby Cobra 427, 1968 Cougar GT-E |
| 428 | FE | 4.13 | 3.98 | 1966–1970 | Galaxie 7-Litre, Thunderbird, Police Interceptor, Shelby GT500, 428 Cobra Jet |
Exact measured bores vary slightly by source: 4.002 in (352), 4.052 in (360, 390), 4.054 in (410) and 4.132 in (428) on the Squarebirds measurement list. Nominal figures are above.
FE Engines Grouped by Stroke
Ford grew the FE by mixing four crankshaft strokes with different bores. The stroke tells you which crank family an engine uses:
- 3.30 in: 332 only, the original 1958 FE.
- 3.50 in: 330 FT, 352, 360 and both 361s. The 360 truck engine is a 390-bore block with the 352’s rotating assembly.
- 3.785 in: 390, 391 FT, 406 and 427. The 427 gets its size from the biggest bore (4.232 in), not a longer stroke.
- 3.98 in: 410 and 428. Both use the 428 crank and are externally balanced.
Every FE displacement is oversquare (bore larger than stroke), including the long-stroke 410 and 428. Some charts call the 410 “undersquare,” but 4.05 in bore > 3.98 in stroke.
Common FE Specs Shared by Every Block
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Bore spacing | 4.63 in |
| Deck height (crank centerline to deck) | 10.17 in |
| Main journal diameter | 2.749 in |
| Rod journal diameter (nodular-iron cranks) | 2.438 in |
| Connecting rod length, 352 | 6.538–6.542 in |
| Connecting rod length, 390/406/410/427/428 | 6.486–6.490 in |
| Factory weight, all-iron | About 650 lb |
Sources: Ford FE engine reference (spacing, deck, main journal, weight) and the FastFairlane FE spec sheet (rod lengths and journals, from Ford factory data).
Horsepower by FE Engine (Factory Gross Ratings)
| Engine | Rated output (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 332 | 225–265 hp | 2V and 4V, 1958–1959 |
| 352 | 208–300 hp; 360 hp High Performance (1960) | 1960 HP had aluminum intake, solid lifters, 10.6:1 |
| 360 | 215 hp (1968 gross); 196 hp net (1972–1976) | Truck only |
| 361 Edsel | 303 hp | 4V, 1958–1959 |
| 390 | 250–335 hp; 375 hp (4V) and 401 hp (3×2V) High Performance, 1961–1962 | 335 hp in 1967–1969 Mustang/Fairlane GT |
| 406 | 385 hp (4V), 405 hp (3×2V) | 1962–1963 |
| 410 | 330 hp | Mercury 1966–1967 |
| 427 | 390–425 hp (wedge, street ratings) | Ford never released an official rating for the race engines |
| 427 SOHC | 616 hp (1×4V), 657 hp (2×4V) | Sold over the parts counter, not in a production car |
| 428 | 340–360 hp; 335 hp Cobra Jet/Super Cobra Jet | CJ launched April 1968 |
How to Tell a 352 From a 360 or 390
Many FE blocks carry a “352” mark in the casting, so the number on the block isn’t proof of displacement. The 360 and 390 also share the same block and heads. The reliable check is to measure the stroke:
- Remove the No. 1 spark plug.
- Turn the crank by hand and measure piston travel from bottom to top with a rod or depth gauge.
- About 3.50 in means a 352, 360 or 361. About 3.78 in means a 390, 391, 406 or 427. About 3.98 in means a 410 or 428.
- Then measure the bore (heads off) to separate engines that share a stroke: 4.00 in = 352, 4.05 in = 360/390, 4.13 in = 406/428, 4.23 in = 427.
Method from the Squarebirds FE measurement guide. Casting date codes and the VIN engine code (on a car with its original engine) help confirm the result.
FE vs FT: What Changes on the Truck Engines
The FT (Ford Truck) engines used in medium and heavy trucks and school buses from 1964 to 1978 share the FE bore spacing and deck height, but they are not plug-and-play swaps. According to the FE engine reference, FT engines differ mainly by having:
- Steel crankshafts instead of nodular iron
- Larger crankshaft snouts
- Smaller ports and valves
- Different distributor shafts
- Different water pumps
- More cast-iron parts overall
Check snout size, distributor and water pump fitment before you mix FT and FE parts, and measure them, because we couldn’t verify exact FT dimensions from a primary Ford source.
FE Engine Generations and Key Changes
- 1958: FE launches as the 332, 352 and Edsel 361.
- 1961: 390 arrives. High Performance versions make 375 hp (4V) or 401 hp (3×2V).
- 1962–1963: 406 with a 4.13 in bore and thicker-wall block, and the first cross-bolted mains.
- 1963: 427 top-oiler. 1965: 427 side-oiler, which feeds the mains before the valvetrain.
- 1966: 428 and Mercury 410 bring the 3.98 in stroke. A 427-powered GT40 Mk II finishes 1-2-3 at Le Mans.
- 1968: 428 Cobra Jet (April) and the 360 truck engine.
- 1976: last FE in Ford pickups. FT production runs to 1978.
Building an FE: Bore and Stroke Tips
Displacement in cubic inches = bore × bore × stroke × 0.7854 × 8. For example, 4.05 × 4.05 × 3.785 × 0.7854 × 8 = 390 ci. Use this to check any overbore or stroker combination before you buy parts.
- The 406 needed a new, thicker-wall block for its 4.13 in bore, so don’t assume a standard 390 block will safely take that bore. Sonic-test the cylinder walls first.
- The 410 and 428 cranks are externally balanced. Use the matching balancer and flywheel or flexplate.
- The 352 uses longer rods (about 6.54 in) than the 390-family engines (about 6.49 in), so the pistons have different compression heights.
For other Ford engine sizes, see our Ford engine sizes chart. If you are working on the FE’s 385-series replacement, see the Ford 460 horsepower chart and 460 torque specs. Restoring one? Check which Ford blue engine paint to use, or read about the 1966 Fairlane 427 R-Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the bore and stroke of a Ford 390 FE?
The 390 has a 4.05 in bore (about 4.052 in measured) and a 3.785 in stroke, which gives about 390 cubic inches.
What is the bore and stroke of a Ford 428?
The 428 uses a 4.13 in bore and a 3.98 in stroke. The 428 Cobra Jet and Super Cobra Jet share those dimensions.
What is the bore and stroke of a Ford 427 FE?
The 427 has a 4.232 in bore and a 3.785 in stroke. Its real displacement is about 426 cubic inches.
What is the difference between a 352 and a 360 FE?
Both have a 3.50 in stroke, but the 352 has a 4.00 in bore and the 360 has the 390’s 4.05 in bore. The 360 was a 1968–1976 truck engine.
What is the deck height and bore spacing of a Ford FE?
All FE and FT engines have a 4.63 in bore spacing and a 10.17 in deck height, measured from the crank centerline to the top of the block.
How can I tell which FE engine I have?
Measure the stroke through the No. 1 spark plug hole: 3.50 in (352/360/361), about 3.78 in (390/391/406/427) or 3.98 in (410/428). Then check the bore. Don’t rely on a “352” casting mark on the block.
Sources: Ford FE engine reference (citing Ford sales data books, brochures and shop manuals); Squarebirds FE bore and stroke measurements; FastFairlane Ford FE specifications.