Upgrading 390 for performance
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Upgrading 390 for performance
I'm new to fe motors and Fords for that matter. I have a 390 in my 68 short box F100 and she's pretty doggy. Open air cleaner, true dual exhaust and a holley 670 double pumper carb is all that's on there. And a 2" carb spacer to clear thee shift vacuum port for the tranny on the intake.
Any good suggestions and ideas on to upgrade her performance?
Any good suggestions and ideas on to upgrade her performance?
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: wyoming
application?
Get compression up to 9.5 or more depending on camshaft. dragracer or cruiser is my question. compression and good camshaft and port heads to application. upgrade ignition like a MSD and good intake. transmission upgrades also depending on application.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
For your information and education:
352/360/390/427/428 FE Series
Rebuilding the Ford FE Engine
CarCraft Magazine: Build a Low-Buck Street/Strip FE
Ford FE.com: 332-428 FE Engine Forum
352/360/390/427/428 FE Series
Rebuilding the Ford FE Engine
CarCraft Magazine: Build a Low-Buck Street/Strip FE
Ford FE.com: 332-428 FE Engine Forum
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Kinda going for street use but some strip. I just got a Mallory ignition box and going to order a mallory dist for easier installation. It has a c6 3spd auto with a 9 inch rear end. Currently though she's my daily driver so machine work is outa the question lol.
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Headers and a 600 CFM vacuum secondary 4bbl on a Ford S or T iron manifold. After that, you need to replace the pistons and cam and do all the other stuff that goes with a rebuild.
Stock 390 pickup motors use the 410 piston, resulting in the piston being over .100 down the hole at TDC. This results in low compression, power and economy. But, the engine will last under heavy load conditions.
Changing the manifold is a 2 or 3 man job, or you need a cherry picker or engine hoist to hold the manifold. Some folks can do them solo, but probably not on the first try.
Also, have you measured the stroke of your motor? (wire down the plug hole) The 390 and the 360 are identical externally, and there are a lot more 360s with 390 stickers on them than 390s.
Stock 390 pickup motors use the 410 piston, resulting in the piston being over .100 down the hole at TDC. This results in low compression, power and economy. But, the engine will last under heavy load conditions.
Changing the manifold is a 2 or 3 man job, or you need a cherry picker or engine hoist to hold the manifold. Some folks can do them solo, but probably not on the first try.
Also, have you measured the stroke of your motor? (wire down the plug hole) The 390 and the 360 are identical externally, and there are a lot more 360s with 390 stickers on them than 390s.
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I had to put this motor in the truck. The one that came with it the timin jumped hard. I was told it was a 390 PI motor, but couldn't verify that, or find any casting numbers.
The 390 that I purchase and put in is out of a car, C8ME-A is the cast numbers on the block.
The 390 that I purchase and put in is out of a car, C8ME-A is the cast numbers on the block.
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If it was a 2bbl in a Ford car, stock compression would be 9.5.
4bbl compression would be 10.5.
Some if not all Mercury 390 2bbl motors from that era are 10.5.
I missed the 4bbl carb--double pumper mechanical secondaries in a heavy vehicle isn't the best.
Headers would be the next step, then cam.
4bbl compression would be 10.5.
Some if not all Mercury 390 2bbl motors from that era are 10.5.
I missed the 4bbl carb--double pumper mechanical secondaries in a heavy vehicle isn't the best.
Headers would be the next step, then cam.
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It's a street avenger double pumper from holley. The only reason I went with it was it was the only one they had on the shelf and the motor loves like its mildly cam'd.
She'll spin the tires but not for long before she launches, then the odd part happens. When she shifts the throttle (gas peddle) kicks back at me.
She'll spin the tires but not for long before she launches, then the odd part happens. When she shifts the throttle (gas peddle) kicks back at me.
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From: peru kansas
you need 2 people to verify that normally pop the hood and have someone watch as you start to power brake it and if the motor moves more than an inch on the drivers side that means shes busted..... normally cant tell with just visual inspection