Not to mention, the first 5,000 miles after having a fresh built, good running 390, you'll drive like a retard.

 

I've been lurking on this site off and on for a couple of years... only because I haven't needed any serious advice and my truck (1971 F250 Camper Special) ran great. I've had it 6 years, and it started most days. Recently, however, I threw a rod and the mechanic says the engine is a mess... smashed plugs, etc. I've been told by a few people that replacing the engine would be better than rebuilding what I have at this point.
The very first stock engine was a 360, according to the original paperwork. However, the first owner (I'm the third owner) replaced it with a 390 at some point. And, somewhere along the line of ownership, Edelbrock headers were put in.
So, my questions are these:
1.) How do I know what engine to order that will fit what is currently under the hood?
2.) Will going back to a 360 help with fuel economy or just create headaches for fit?
3.) What other factors should I be considering that may not be obvious?
This truck is my everyday ride. I'm not looking to make it a show car, or a high performance vehicle. And, I don't tow anything. I just putz around town, going about my daily routine. I've done a lot of research on the replacement, but I am hesitant to pull the trigger on ordering an engine until I know it will be a good, reliable solution.
Any help is welcome. You all really seem to know your stuff. I, on the other hand, had to learn which dipstick was for the transmission when I bought the truck. However, I'm learning. I've flushed the brakes, replaced fuel lines, fixed a loose vacuum tube, etc.
Thanks!!!
D

 

First, you should start a new thread. Do that, and we can help out a LOT!

Oh,an WELCOME to FTE!

 

If you want to dream a little, in addition to the Steve Christ book, look up Barry Rabotnick's "How to Build Max Performance FE Engines", and while you are at it, get Jay Brown's "Great FE Intake Comparo" where he took pretty much every intake available for the FE and ran them on his dyno on several different engines - a huge service to the FE community. Both are very valuable when you are thinking about what you want to do.

BTW, I would look to Survival Motorsports (Barry Rabotnick's company) for his basic rebuild kit ($700) or go crazy and get his 445 "Prison Break" stroker kit for $2,000. Barry ONLY does FEs. I don't work for him, but I did put a Prison Break kit (plus aluminium heads, a 234/240 roller cam, T&D rockers, a Street Dominator intake, headers, QFT SS830 carb, and a lot of other bits) into my truck. Scary fast now but also lots of money.

BTW, the Street Dominator was considered a bit of a dog but in Jay's tests, with some clearance and smoothing work, it performed exceptionally well making over 500HP and 500ft-lbs with a nice flat torque curve. Without his book that would not be a known thing. And spend some time over on fe power dot net reading some of the threads. A lot of builders and tuners over there give good insights. I love this forum for certain things, and that one for other things.

Don't spend a dime before you do some reading.

 

 

It is important to pay attention to the RPM range in those dyno runs and the displacement of the engines as well. I don't remember specifics at this point but it seems like they start at like 2800 RPM or something like that(?). I can tell you from experience that the similar Eddy intake IS a turd until at least 2k RPM on a mild stock displacement engine in the 325-ish HP range.

Definitely read everything you can. Some on this forum aren't into reading.

FWIW, I agree that this needs to be a new thread but the "new" OP seems to have disappeared...