Well she's finally starting to die on me, my F250 Camper Special w/ 360 has dead miss, only 20lbs compression on the number 1 cylinder, so it sounds like at time for rebuild or replacement. The truck is pretty clean and fairly original so part of me wants to rebuild using the original block but that gets pricey. 3000 to 4000 at a few shops in San Diego. I can find used 460s that sound like they are in good shape for 500 to 1000 but when I search for any FE motors locally they are all in same boat as mine. Should I change out for a 460 or rebuild 360 to a 390 or leave it a 360? I typically just run around town and sometime do some long drives with the truck pulling my Bronco, which brings me to my other problem is that the truck is not worth a lot of money but I have a 74 Bronco that has older engine/trans that would be better investment wise to through some $ at it.

Thanks for any opinions.

 

You may have some valve issues that are allowing for the low compression. I recommend checking that before a rebuild. Using a 390 crank and rod set is all that is required to make your engine a 390. Better mpgs, and hp usually come with the 390.

You folks on the left side of the country seem to have to pay more for services like engine building.


John

 

Also if you go 460 you will have tranny issues. If it is a C6 you will have to change the tranny. If it is a stick then you will have to get a new bellhousing. I know California is expensive but 3 to 4 grand seems a little high for a stock rebuild

 

you should tear it down by yourself as much as you can, and buy the parts you need, then just pay the labor on stuff that you cant possibly do yourself. also why not some 4 valve heads? those are pretty badass. shop around, dont get jipped.

 

why will a 460 need a tranny other then a c6? the 460/c6 combo came in alot of vehicles.



I personally would investigate it a little before making a decision. As said you could have a valve issue which may end up a simple fix.

 

If the valves are bad then the only option is a head rework right? The engine has approx. 195,000 miles on it and I know for sure that the bottom end has not been redone and perhaps it has a vavle job done in the 80s but maybe not. It also leaks oil like crazy. Trans is C6 and that i installed in 94. I have heard that sometimes freshening up the heads can cause the bottom end to go south quickly on older worn motors.

 

The 460 will not need a tranny other than a C6. It is just that the C6 that came with the 360 will not fit the 460. You will need a C6 from a big block or an M block

 

i've also heard that rebuilding the top end can blow out the bottom end. but i've never seen it or known of anyone its happened too.

i'd go with turning the 360 into a 390. but i'm partial to the 390 cuz i've got one.

 

Another option is a 428 crank to make a 410. My 70 F-100 has one with a 3 duece setup, and it's terriffic. Ford Power Parts has forged pistons, or you can use stock ones for 67/68 Merc 410's.