I posted this in the engine section with no response..I've always had good luck here; any input guys?

Hey all.
I'm in the process of planning out a 390 based build while I save my pennies, so for when I can do it, I have a plan.
For a while I was wondering if it was possible to use a 428 based stroker kit with a 390 block..but it sounds like boring the 390 out .110 over is a sketchy subject.
But it looks like I can still get away with 445ci with the 4.250 stroke and 4.080 bore.
I'm wondering if anyone else who has stroked their motor would be willing to talk about it and give me their thoughts on what companies to buy kits and parts from. I'm familiar with Survival Motorsports, but would like to have something to compare it too.
With the stroker kit, I will also be possibly putting in a new cam, as when I pulled the lifters, the box fell and I no longer have them in sequence to the lobes. Can I just get new lifters or is it smart to start over?

Speaking of cams..if I get a new one, suggestions would be helpful about selection. Here's my provisional specs.
445. ci, 750cfm carb, performer intake, mildly worked heads, headers, 2500 stall (if it stays an auto) and 4000lb vehicle weight.
I had a lunati Bracket Master cam in it with 230/230 lift at 50, and .554 lift, 109LSA. I really liked this cam, but I always wonder if theres a better match out there for this build.

I know this is a whole lot of info, but basically I'm asking two things on this thread...advise and experiences on stroker kits, and thoughts on cam whether it can be re-used or if it should be replaced.

Thanks!

 

Well I actually started with a 410, which cleaned up at .030 over, making it about 417 or so CI. A 410 is a 390 with a 428 crank, quite simply. Not sure if you really need to go bigger. That ought to save you something, you can use standard 30 over 390 pistons (same as 410). If anything, spend money on the oiling system instead. Don't forget you will also need the balancer and a flywheel as the 410's and 428's are Detroit balanced. That's a cheap process though. You can use iron medium-riser heads, the machine shop shud put hardened seats in. My builder (Thunderbolt Engines in Langley, BC) used and Engle cam, I could find you the specs somewhere. I've always been taught that a cam and lifters get broken in together. The shop told me about 450hp and the same for torque.

You probably won't be drag racing the thing, or revving it to 9 grand. I'd be a lot more concerned about driveability than numbers. You could get the Eddy manifold, but I kept my S code and saved $400. Spent it on an Eddy carb, which seems to work much better than the old Holley. Port matching, intake, and exhaust are all way more important than mere cubes, if the thing won't breathe right all those extra cubes are wasted.

Finally, penny-pinching or not, you should definitely get Steve Christ's book, "How to Rebuild Big Block Ford Engines" which is the FE rebuilding bible. In it you will find specs, parts interchange, and some really good tips.

Just (and here's a penny-pinching pun for ya) my two cents' worth!

 

I would also suggest a book called Ford Performance by Pat Ganahl. It was written in 1988 when these engines were still common. If it were me I would be saving my pennies for a good set of heads. Stock FE 390 heads will fall on their face around 5500 rpm no matter what you do to the rest of the engine. That becomes obvious when you look at all the heads Ford came up with to wake these engines up. ie. low riser, medium riser, tunnel port, even over head cam and the 428 CJ heads.

 

You might get more attention at the FE forum. The Survival guys won't mind if you ask about their competitors.
332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum
Eric

 

Right on Crop Duster! I had forgotten about that book - it is an awesome book!

However, somehow the phrase, "above 5500 RPM" seems a little contradictory to "stroker motor" or "Detroit balance" or "428" in general. Seems more suited to a 406 or 427.

Maybe the stock heads are a natural rev limiter

 

Rev limiter for sure with 445ci.

 

a solid budget move would be to look at Carolina Machine's crate engines. They have a great reputation and I've spoken to the president over there a couple of times, picking his brain on what their cam specs were for the 390's they have. They also sell a 390 stroked to 445 like you're considering. cmengines.com