Hello everyone. Want to pick your brain a bit. I have a 1971 F250 2wd with a 390 and four speed. The engine is very tired, eats and blows smoke like a champ. Was looking at the crate motor sets at various places in my area.(northeast ohio). Has anyone ever used a crate motor with any success. What should I be asking them and looking for. The truck is just mainly used for camping, fishing and the occasional hauling around the house. The motor does not need to be really radical or anything. Just reliable. I would definetely like to get rid of the point system and also any other upgrades that everybody would suggest. Thanks for any info.

RJK

 

I didnt know that 390 crate motors were out there. That's interesting, I'd like to know more about them, just to satisfy curiosity. For yours, here what I would suggest: new valve stem seals, and a pertronix kit. It may also benefit from a re-ring job. Good luck!

 

thanks for the info. I just called local machine shop ads in the papers that were advertising rebuilt engines in my area. They have 390 engines that come rebuilt for just over 1000 bucks. The way i figure is that I can hardly build my own for that price. What do you think.

RJK

 

RJK, ask what that price includes. If you build a engine and do it right without a lot of high priced stuff expect to spend 1500 to 2500 bucks. Post back.

 

Thanks for the info.

I asked what all they did to the engine and it seemed like a lot. Bored out to what it needed. Cleaned, magnafluxed, align bore and turn crank if needed. New bearings on cam and crank. New pistons, oil pump, seals, bearings. On heads the recondition includes new bronze guides, grind seat(changed if needed). Dont remember if they were new or ground valves. The engine would be delivered to the house and they would pick up my core. Have to swap over some parts ie. oil pan, intake manifold, carb, and all accessories.

Is there anything that i should be making sure they are doing to ensure the reliability of a 390. Want to make sure that i get the best value for the money.

RJK

 

Lots of folks recommend spending the money to have the rotating assembly balanced..

 

That is probably a sound idea. thanks did not think to ask that question of them.


RJK

 

I don't know about everyone else, but I get a kick out of doing engines myself. I *know* what was done if I did it myself. Plus, I get to see inside, and know how it works....
For a fisher trash-dump runner, and being near "the mistake by the lake" (Cleveburg if I'm not mistaken) the truck is mostly rust by now. (Sorry for the jabs, don't take them seriously. I lived there so feel I can poke a little fun.. I actually like that part of the world)
In my head, this is the perfect time for the el-cheapo bottom of the barrel rebuild. No make that re-ring. Who needsa buncha new pistons. The old ones are pretty friendly with their particular cylinders after all these years. You're not gonna go to the drags, nor any race tracks, so get some parts, pull that pig, and have some fun. Take it all apart. put in new timing chain & gears, if it was tappy, replace the lifters. Remove the ridge and push out the pistons. Clean the ring grooves and replace the rings. Use a glaze breaker on the bores, wash em out and oil em down. Get new rod & main inserts. Put it back together and pretend it is rebuilt.
Oh, and take apart the heads. If you check the valves and they look decent, take some valve grinding compound and dab it on the valve seating surface. Use a hand-cranked grinder, or a reversible drill and push/pull the valve against the seat to freshen the valves. CLEAN thoroughly and put together with lots of oil and new seals. Just like new.
NOT. Just a lot of fun, specially if you have a kid that you'd like to teach a little bit about cars and engines. Not real expensive either.
You can even take the individual lifters apart and clean them in carb cleaner to take off the varnish that makes them tappy...
Just my opinion, but I think its fun. And my wife can't complain that I'm out carousing, drinking, gambling, watching too much NASCAR or anything else... I'm right here, honey, out in the garage.. Listening to a ball game as I get my hands REAL dirty... TIP: use Gunk SC and cut it with kerosene for a good cleaning solution. Plus, you can paint a Ford engine CH**Y oranche if you want to... IT's all fun...
tom

 

http://rebuilt-ford-engines.com/

Try this place.