In other word I need a set of 390 rods, 428 crank and a rebuild kit for a later 390? i'm on a very serious budget for this one and for what i want to do factory type cast pistons should be plenty fine, thinking dual quad with a pair of 390 holleys and an edelbrock performer cam and springs, otherwise ported heads and oilling system mods, stroke it to a 410ci, and put it together like a stocker. Is there a suggested year for the rebuild kit? From wehat I understand not much else changed.

 

The 390/410/428 all have the same length rods: 6.49" So any set of the std short rods will work. These pistons are what you're looking for, 381P Ford Fe pistons , cheap too.

Or my recommendation would be to head over to Survival, they have a full rebuild kit for $700. If you talk to Barry, I'm sure there's no problem swapping the 390 piston for the 410/428 piston. Check it out HERE

You should search the FordFE forum classifieds. There's 428 cranks for sale now, and they come up fairly often. Usually between $425-475.

 

All this for a towing rig/DD?

 

given the fact autozone slls them for $under $325 with core that's ridiculous. And Autozone's machine work is already done. Folks, originality isn't important to me. neither is using genuine Ford parts, but thank you for the recommendation on pistons, I'lkl look into them. And yes, all this for a daily driver, I have a genuine need for more horsepower and think I have a dual quad lined up so the rest should be pretty easy as long as I can get a good deal on the pistons, hence the inquiry about rebuild kits. Not sure when the FE stopped, but thinking the last year for a truck 390 should produce the right pistons given other information presented here.

 

The last year for the 390 would be '76, and those will be low compression pistons. They are same spec as 410 pistons as explained in previous posts.

You can't rely on a low dollar AZ (or other fine brand) rebuild for making big power. The stock truck piston and cam and valve spring set up will make a nice 3500 rpm gas hog truck motor that you can hold at WOT all afternoon (because you'll have to...) but won't be close to a firebreather.

Dual quads? No point if you cheap out on the internals.

 

x2 ^^.........


Maybe it's just me, but I would never trust Autozone for a major engine component.

 

soooooooo, you want to go cheap on every part, go cheap on any sort of machining (if any is actually going to be done) and you want to install a huge intake/carb setup that will be able to move 4times the air that you'll need, right?

That'll make a great tow rig killer...
Tell ya what, for the money you are talking, why not just buy a Autozone crate engine 390 (the machine work is already done). It'll make more horsepower than the pile you are wanting to assemble.

 

Same here. I would venture to guess that any 410/428 crank that is available thru any chain parts store, would most likely be ground to .020-.030, perhaps after having been welded back up after a serious bearing spin, and would most likely have been rejected by any serious engine builder.
I place very little faith in any item that adds a disclaimer "no warrenty after installation", especially something as critical as a crankshaft.

I'll also add this. Dual quads and towing go together like oil and water. It can be done, but the results are seldom favorable.

 

Ok, so dual quads are a bad idea for a tow rig, gotcha (never built a tow rig that wasn't diesel), I probably should note that I'm not using a factory dual quad, it's the Edelbrock one (I think it's a performer or performer RPM but I'd have to call the guy that has it and ask) then maybe a nice Edelbrock performer. The autozone crank was actually at the suggestiob of my machinist. This engine will be lucky to see 5000rpm so he said it shouldn't be a big issue. Also said for what I'm building it for stock type pistons should give me at least 100,000 miles plus which suits me fine. The block and heads are going to go through the full battery of machine work, including being punched +.030, line honed, oilling system mods, decked, new cam bearings, heads resurfaced, mild port work, new guides, hardened seats, etc. I'm shooting for 400-450 hp and at least 400 ft/lbs that I want to make at cruising rpm. like I said, I'm pretty sure stock replacement internals ought to be fine. Oh, and we're going to magnaflux and internally balance the Autozone crank so we'll know if it's a reweld, and if it is it's going back, not in my block.

 

"Stock internals" covers the full spectrum of performance with the FE.

Mid-'60s "Regular Fuel" 2bbl 390 pistons are the same spec as '70s 360 pu engines. Mid '60s 10.5 "Premium Fuel" 410 pistons are the same spec as '70s regular fuel 390 pistons.

You won't find 400 horse with 8.5 compression.....

This engine makes the power you are talking about. Compare it to what you are planning. You are headed to 250-275 hp, 400 torque:

Building Survival Motorsports 445 Block Engine - Modified Mustangs & Fords

 

Well, found the pistons I need, thank you Sleepy445Fe, they should be here shortly. Got a good deal on a set of rods from a 390 (even though I had to take the whole motor which is no big deal as now I can modify that one and drop it in when it's built and cut out the downtime), and the guy ios supposed to be delivering my Edelbrock dual quad tonite. I used Summit's CFM calculator and according to it I need like a 500-750cfm carb for what I want to do (it said 500cfm street, 750 race) so the 780 delivered by the pair of Holleys in the shed doesn't put me too far off that mark, although I do think they'll remain in the shed as I have an idea. What about a pair of 2 barrels on that intake? It may seem as though I'm a little stuck on it but the fact of the matter is yes, I am, it didn't coastm me any cash outlay, and other than the 4 barrel factory intake on the 360 in my truck it's what fits the budget right now. Let's run a quick tally of costs so far for this engine, machine work-$case of beer when we're done, pistons-about $175, extra engine for rods block, and heads- $get it out of my yard, Edelbrock dual quad intake-$4 mud tires on steel wheels that were sitting in my yard when I moved in, 2 motorcraft 4 bolt 2 barrel carbs (I think they came off a 80s mustang)-$don't remember but I think something like $50 a couple years ago when I bought them, Autozone Crank-$253. That puts us at $428 in cash utlayed so far. I have a budget of $1000 so if I can get a rebuild kit for the right price this should work out.

 

A pair of 390 holleys might be ok for street use. Tuning them might be a bit of a hassle though.
A well tuned 600 CFM single 4 bbl would be a much simpler setup, and more likely to give the desired results.

 

Well dual quad got here, it's a performer RPM. Found out Summit sells a cam kit $185.00, ordering it payday if all works out. Also found a re-ring kit (with Hastings rings and Fel-Pro gaskets) on fleabay for $120. Got to figure out which valve springs to get, I figure an e-mail to Edelbrock ought to answer that. now I thin k the only thing I need is a melling high volume oil pump and I should be ready to rebuild after the first of the year. Is there anything to really gain in this setup if I cut the heads for Cobra jet sized Valves? They're not that expensive and I'm not sure if my $100 or so would be spent better somewhere else.

 

that's a RPM Air Gap intake right?

What cam are you going with? and what does your static CR figure to be?

If you're going to run a HV oil pump you MUST have a high capacity oil pan. You said you're going to do the oiling mods so I'm guessing you know this, but just making sure.

If you're going dual carb I would get the CJ valves.

 

I am asking because sometime in the foreseeable future I intend on stroking my 360 to a 390, 4v headers etc. Does this combo you are discussing here sound like a tow rig setup?