390 Build Suggestions
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 10
From: Indiana, PA
390 Build Suggestions
Hello everyone, looking for some ideas on what to do to upgrade my 390. My current 76 F.250 4x4 I have rebuilt and I have this 390 in it. When i got this truck about 3 years ago, it came with this new Jasper rebuilt 390 in it and an Edelbrock performer intake. So I finished up the truck build and finally got it on the road. About 4 months ago. Now after a mere 2000 miles the old gaskets from sitting are leaking. I have to add a quart of oil every 100 miles and the intake manifold continuously leaks coolant when driving. The other problem I have is that the truck has no *****. It runs good and will pull good, but wont go up a hill over 50 m.p.h. So now that winter is coming, I am planning on pulling the motor and doing a re-rebuild on the motor and adding some power to it. I plan on using this truck as a quick daily driver and occasional sled puller.
- Any ideas on a good cam to use on it?
- Also what is the stock compression ratio on a 390? I was thinking of shaving the heads to bump it up a little.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
That only depends on how much material was removed from the heads or block. Intake milling isn't a "given" after milling the block and or heads. Once you take it off, you can't put it back. A test fit should be done before intake milling. I do agree though that his intake leaking may be a problem with the performance, that combined with the questionable cam grind in a Jasper motor, plus the pistons they used in it, those are probably less than desireable as far as compression ratio goes.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Hello everyone, looking for some ideas on what to do to upgrade my 390. My current 76 F.250 4x4 I have rebuilt and I have this 390 in it. When i got this truck about 3 years ago, it came with this new Jasper rebuilt 390 in it and an Edelbrock performer intake. So I finished up the truck build and finally got it on the road. About 4 months ago. Now after a mere 2000 miles the old gaskets from sitting are leaking. I have to add a quart of oil every 100 miles and the intake manifold continuously leaks coolant when driving. The other problem I have is that the truck has no *****. It runs good and will pull good, but wont go up a hill over 50 m.p.h. So now that winter is coming, I am planning on pulling the motor and doing a re-rebuild on the motor and adding some power to it. I plan on using this truck as a quick daily driver and occasional sled puller.
- Any ideas on a good cam to use on it?
- Also what is the stock compression ratio on a 390? I was thinking of shaving the heads to bump it up a little.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 54
From: Antelope Valley ,CA
sounds like manifold was installed poorly , i'd buy a gasket set and remove manifold and clean everything up and reinstall being very careful .
oil leak plus coolant leak plus lack of power all could be the manifold not seating correctly
Have you checked how much vacuum engine has ? if so what was the reading ?
oil leak plus coolant leak plus lack of power all could be the manifold not seating correctly
Have you checked how much vacuum engine has ? if so what was the reading ?
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 10
From: Indiana, PA
sounds like manifold was installed poorly , i'd buy a gasket set and remove manifold and clean everything up and reinstall being very careful .
oil leak plus coolant leak plus lack of power all could be the manifold not seating correctly
Have you checked how much vacuum engine has ? if so what was the reading ?
oil leak plus coolant leak plus lack of power all could be the manifold not seating correctly
Have you checked how much vacuum engine has ? if so what was the reading ?
That only depends on how much material was removed from the heads or block. Intake milling isn't a "given" after milling the block and or heads. Once you take it off, you can't put it back. A test fit should be done before intake milling. I do agree though that his intake leaking may be a problem with the performance, that combined with the questionable cam grind in a Jasper motor, plus the pistons they used in it, those are probably less than desirable as far as compression ratio goes.
Stock compression ratio ? Depends on the year and vehicle. It's anywhere from 8 to 1 to 10.5 to 1. I would shoot for the highter number and stick a Crane 272 Energizer in it. That combined with the stock heads (D2TE) will allow it to run on 89 octane fuel (at 12* initial timing) and the power band will run from idle to 5500 rpms. You didn't mention the carb, what's on it now ? Does it have headers ? That's a "must have" with any FE motor, the stock manifolds just don't do the job.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
Any idea on what kind of price head milling and intake manifold milling may cost?
It currently has manifolds with dual pipes. I`m gonna put on a set of Hooker long tube headers when I`m done. It currently has a 4bbl 600cfm Edelbrock Performer carbeurator, though I do have a 780 Holley sitting on the shelf.....
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
i have a 360 and am going to rebuild it. aq thought. get a distributer from a 75/76 fe it was changed to electronic. also like just about every one has sead change the intake gaskets befor doing any thing else have fun
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 422
Likes: 2
From: Arlington
WHAT??????????
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
a small vacuum leak can rob all of your torque...
check for vacuum leaks and replace the intake gasket. bet it runs way better...
whats a compression test say? compression and leak down tests say alot! could be an easy fix, bide your time to build a bigger motor ya know! bout the same mpg no mater what! go big,
call the cam manufacturer they will have the best sugestions. check out comp cams,good fe selection.
shaving things on a fe can be a lil expensive, new flat top pistons probly cheaper and way easier...
good luck w/ the build... still tryin to start my over-built fe plan!!!
check for vacuum leaks and replace the intake gasket. bet it runs way better...
whats a compression test say? compression and leak down tests say alot! could be an easy fix, bide your time to build a bigger motor ya know! bout the same mpg no mater what! go big,
call the cam manufacturer they will have the best sugestions. check out comp cams,good fe selection.
shaving things on a fe can be a lil expensive, new flat top pistons probly cheaper and way easier...
good luck w/ the build... still tryin to start my over-built fe plan!!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
0ldman
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
13
May 21, 2014 11:59 AM
oldblue31
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
22
Jul 13, 2009 12:25 AM
BlueovalFE
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
15
Jan 9, 2007 06:26 PM
jj22ee
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
7
Nov 8, 2005 01:43 PM
1962_Fords_rule
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
16
Jul 31, 2004 04:43 PM