The '72 F-250 needs a bit more pep in its step! Now I know its a solid workhorse motor. I'm picking up the truck on the 13th. It's going to need some body work and the interior needs redone. The transmission is leaking but I think its just a seal. It ran like a champ. Anyway I'd like to squeeze a bit more hp out of it nothing crazy. My understanding is the factory rating is somewhere around 250hp and 370 tq. This engine was supposedly professionally rebuilt to factory specs. But I can't say for sure. After I get all the body work done if funds allow I want to do the following. New intake manifold, carb, heads, full exhaust. Will that be enough to wake up this sleeper a bit? Or am I wasting my time by not throwing in a cam? Will that be enough to wake it up? Also how much can the bottom end handle before it let's loose or causes excessive ware? Thanks. O I'm not intrested in going nutz and I want it to remain a solid work horse.

 

Welcome to FTE.

Short reply here as I am out of time. The stock PU motors used the 410 piston, resulting in a down the hole condition and low compression. This is the biggest problem with a PU motor, followed by exhaust and cam. Check this forum for an endless series of discussions on the 360/390 and how to fiddle with them.