Serving suggestion: Use the car 390 pistons with the small dish. (similar pistons are used in the truck 360) You'll have compression in the 9s, maybe 9.5 which is what they advertised in the '60s. The RV cam should work with that. Many cam write ups will tell you what compression to run. This isn't "hot rod", it was the standard sedan/station wagon motor, and those cars weighed 4000 lbs and towed all kinds of stuff. As long as you get hardened valve seats, it should be fine.

Stock pickup 390s (and 360s) have the piston about .120 down the hole--terrible for economy, but nice "don't hurt anybody" low compression.

ymmv, good luck with it.

Or go 445 stroker.....

 

What's a 445 stroker? I know, duh. Hey, I'm a painter.

 

Buy a crate engine from summit, you can get a 302 for a decent price.

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/hpe-hp99f

D

 

Surely you are aware that the 302 will not bolt up to a FE engine setup.



John

 

Ya I know Mr Wilker, it was just an example of being able to buy an engine for a better price and reliability than the potential crappy builders out there. Anything can be made to fit. 😀