390 Heads
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
390 Heads
One of these days I plan on either 1) porting and polishing my stock heads or 2) buying a new set of heads. These are for a 68 390 FE. which of these is will be the better option. ive heard that 390 heads can be ported to 300cc of intake which sounds ridiculous..is that true?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
i do not have the numbers right now (im 160 miles away from my truck right now at school) and i intend on making it just a hot rod, something to drive around the block and shakle the woods up a little. and i haven't layed out a full plan of what i intend to do yet.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
No sir, its a truck motor. Came on the f100. i just had it rebuilt about 4 months ago, bored .030 over and i had a 270 cam stuck in there. ive put 1600 miles on it so far. i plan on puttin the 445 stroker kit in it when i have the money so i figured some heads would be nice too..i would really like to keep the stock ones on there to maintain the original value. i just figured i would open them up some, but i didnt know if buying new heads (maybe the edelbrock 185cc heads) would be a cheaper and easier investment
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,517
Likes: 2,826
Well, head work can be a lot of money. I recall my dad spending $650 on the heads from the '66 and that was 20+ years ago.
Shop around for the head work vs. the aftermarket heads with all the new goodies. That's the only way to decide methinks.
Shop around for the head work vs. the aftermarket heads with all the new goodies. That's the only way to decide methinks.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
new heads are going to be far and above 50+ year old technology, even ported. A good porter can get you some additional power out of your existing heads, but by the time you've paid him his worth, you're probably going to be about 2/3 the way to the cost of a new set of much better heads.
BTW a 445 stroker is going to want a lot more head than a 390. Just one more thing to consider.
Devin
BTW a 445 stroker is going to want a lot more head than a 390. Just one more thing to consider.
Devin
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Lacey
Your planned stroker kit will need some airflow to support the increased displacement. The edelbrock heads are your answer. FE's "wake up" really well and gain 70 hp easily with better flow even on a stock short block.
With the displacement you are thinking about with the edelbrock stuff you will have 400 hp and close to 500 ft. lbs. conservatively.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Lacey
Yeah, that's how bad they are restricted. An old Ford Truck service specs manual I have rates the 390 at only 240 hp and 385 ft lb.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Lacey
I don't recall there ever being a 4 bbl option on these trucks, that sounds more like a rating for a car which would have a higher compression ratio.