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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 11:27 PM
  #1  
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From: Helena, AL
390 rebuild

quick question from a newbie. I am looking at buying an old engine from a guy here locally to rebuild. He has a 390 2 barrel and 390 z code. I am not sure if these make a difference for my rebuild. The engine will go in a 74 f100. Thanks for the input. I just don't want to start at the wrong starting point if a z code isn't the best fit for the truck. Appreciate any feedback
 
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 12:19 AM
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Sleepy445FE
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What are you going to be using the truck for? Hauling weight or hauling @$$?
 
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 12:22 AM
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hauling a$$ mostly, maybe the occasional carry a few things from home depot.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 12:57 AM
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Sleepy445FE
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Sorry I read that first post a little fast. If you're going to rebuild and it needs bored over it'll need new pistons anyway and if you plan on using an aftermarket intake/carb then it really doesn't matter much. Take whichever one is in better shape. Maybe check the head and block castings and do a drill bit test on them both.

Do they both need a full rebuild or are you planning on using the shortblock as is?
 
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 01:45 AM
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probably going to be a complete rebuild. I am thinking about taking my time and really putting together a nice kick a$$ engine over the next year.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2012 | 12:58 PM
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Make sure you get hardened valve seats and have the oil galleys chamfered.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2012 | 04:15 PM
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what year 390

The 1973 and earlier blocks used 2-bolt motor mounts and 65 and up used three bolt.Not sure about 64. Also check the heads year. in 68 the exhaust ports were drformed to accomodate emissions controls, so that is a downside.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2012 | 05:05 PM
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The engine mount flanges changed to 4 bolts in '65, with most mounts actually using either the wider 2, or 3. Pre-'65's have the narrow 2-bolt pattern. I have a C5AE-A '65 427 block out in the shop, it's still a center-oiler, but has the 4-bolt mounting flanges. Pretty easy to adapt an early block to late mounts- especially the twp-piece Mustang stuff where you can just re-drill the solid half. Easy on most pickups too, if you have the flat mount, just make and adapter plate with 4 holes, two bolt to the early bolt holes on the block, the other two to the "other" two holes in that later mount- that's what I did when I put the '64 427 in my early '77 F250 4x4, using the frame pedestals and mounts from a '75 truck- the 351M radiator even hooked right up to the 427
 
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Old Jan 26, 2012 | 01:48 AM
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Thanks for the input, I think I may just pull the 360 that I have now in it and rebuild it. So I guess now I need to source a 390 crankshaft and rods. I am sure I will have a lot more questions I go, this will be my first engine rebuild.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2012 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by 69cj
Make sure you have the oil galleys chamfered.
Why? What does this do?
 
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