I have a pretty nice 1/2 ton 4x4 with an original 87,000mi. 390 with a C-6. This truck sat, and I mean sat a lot. The rings are shot. Since I live in Grand Junction, Colorado which has a shortage of capable Machine Shops, I cannot find anyone either willing, or capable of doing the machine work for this engine. Does anyone out there have a rebuilt 390 for sale? My original plan was .030 over, decent low-mid range cam, with a good "old school" high-lift lope. heads opened up, high volume Oil Pump, etc. you guys know the drill. I'm not racing it, just using it for what a truck is made to be used for and I'd like to just step it up a bit from the low HP, mid-torque specs. Any help would be appreciated as she uses a quart, quart and a half per day when being worked.

 

Lots of people will have one for sale, the trick is, who has one for sale that near you. I can lay my hands on one right now for around $1K that's just what you're asking for, but it'll take another $1K to ship it to you.

 

You're basically 3hrs from Denver via I-70, must be a shop there that can do quality work.

Tis the curse of us living in very rural areas, i too need to travel 3hrs for "quality" machine shop work, but it's not an every day thing (how many times do you rebuild your motor).

Talk to local FTE chapter guys and find a shop that knows FE's, it may very well be worth the trip.

 

Denver to Grand Junction is more like 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

Josh

 

Who really does the speed limit.

 

Sure it's a 390? Most 4x4's I've ever seen were 360, which is identical to a 390 on the outside. There's a saying around here, all 360's become 390's on sale day......


As for the oil consumption, I'd look at the valve stem seals (missing/cracked) and oil drains (plugged/restricted) in the heads. Both are very well known for causing excess oil consumption on otherwise low mile engines.

 

There's a speed limit? I thought that was a "financial" suggestion....

.

 

You're not going to cut an hour off the time driving I-70 over Glenwood Canyon, Aspen, Continental divide and so forth.

It isn't a bad drive in the Summer, but it does take forever.

In the Winter you could easily add 1-3 more hours to the total time, especially traveling East.

 

The only available V8 for 1968/76 F100/250 4WD: 360 2V / VIN engine code (4th digit) Y

390 4V (VIN engine code M) was an option for 1974/76 F100/250 2WD's & F350's.

1968/76 390 2V = VIN engine code H

360/390's share the same bore (4.05"), the stroke is different: 360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78"

I-70 is OK as long as there are no rock slides. If there is, you might sit there for hours.

 

Rock slides? There is like 1 every 10 years LOL

It's the skiing and summer vacationers that clog up I-70 at the tunnels.

Josh

 

I thought so, but wasn't 100% sure. Thanks for confirming.
Just curious, but wasn't the 300 I6 the only other engine available in F100/250 4wd during this same time?

 

240 I-6 standard equipment 1965 thru 1974 all F100/600, after which it was cancelled and the 300 I-6 (formerly optional) became standard equipment.

240 I-6 also standard equipment in 1965/71 Galaxie/LTD, 300's were not offered.

I've driven I-70 three times. In the late 1980's, sat in the car four hours along with 1000's of other east/west travelers, while crews removed rocks. Was told this was rather common.

Xmas day 1990: Due to heavy snow the night before, I-70 was closed from Beaver Creek to the Eisenhower Tunnel, unless one had 4WD w/mud & snow tires.

First and only time I've driven a 4WD (rented a Bronco the week before in Denver, but had encountered no snow). Crawled along following the faint tire tracks ahead, semi's were overturned, vehicles had run off the road.

When we passed thru the tunnel, I-70 had been plowed. Stopped, got out and kissed the pavement!

 

It's an OEM 390 4bbl engine, I have the build sheet in the glove box. It's not a 360, I've ran every number available. the 390 2bbl and 4bbl were only available in the 1/2 ton trucks in 1975 and 1976. Mine has the AWD hi-lo with lock transfer case, Ford 9" rear differential, and the C-6 automatic transmission with the deep pan off of a 1974 C-6. even the tag under the hood identifies it as a 390 4bbl. I'd be willing to pay $1,000 for shipping, I sure as hell can't build one (machine work and all) for $2,000. Getting the engine to Denver would cost me gas money for a buddy both ways, twice regardless, and that wouldn't be cheap since 85 octane is $3.87gal as of 1pm today.

 

No such thing as 4X4 'Dent with a 390. No such thing as a 4X4 "Dent with a 4 barrel carb.

Ever...

What is the 4th digit in the VIN? I bet it's a Y

Y is a 2 barrel 360.

Josh

 

Here's the VIN and yep, it's a "Y" F14YRB50114. It has a Holley 4bbl on it, and I've never heard of a 360 having a C-6 behind it. What the hell is this thing? I'm not a Ford pro, old school Chevy's is what I've spent the majority of my life building. Tell me where to find the exact engine code for this thing and I'll have it in 5min. I'm beginning to think that the engine has been replaced since a lot of the bolts i.e. valve cover, exhaust manifold, oilpan, water pump etc. were not tight.