390 Stroker kit
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390 Stroker kit
I am new to 4x4s, at least rebuilding them. I just aquired a 1976 F-250 Highboy with a 390. I was reading about the Stroker kit with a few mods and it said I could get 500 horsepower and 500 ft/lbs of torque. Will this work in a truck? the article was speaking of racing.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
I understand 390 stroker kits work very well. How you build it and resulting power rating depend on usage and budget.
A 500 HP version would have a big high overlap camshaft. Lots of high RPM power but not so good at lower RPM. Plus a lopey idle and poor fuel consumption. For 4x4 use a build with milder cam more low/mid range torque is more suitable. Built for 400' ish HP would make a better engine I think unless you are running the 1/4 mile. You still can get the big torque number just at lower RPM.
A 500 HP version would have a big high overlap camshaft. Lots of high RPM power but not so good at lower RPM. Plus a lopey idle and poor fuel consumption. For 4x4 use a build with milder cam more low/mid range torque is more suitable. Built for 400' ish HP would make a better engine I think unless you are running the 1/4 mile. You still can get the big torque number just at lower RPM.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 47
From: Eagle River, AK
I personally think that anything in the 300-400HP range would do just fine. Just make sure it is built for low end torque, that is the more notable aspect for a 4x4 truck.
Have fun and keep us posted.
Have fun and keep us posted.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,656
Likes: 4
From: Northern and Southern Cal
Exactly what I was looking for.
I didn't care about hp. The fact that I got it was icing on the cake.
Started with a 105 block with webbing.
4.125 bore
4.125 Scat crank kit
6.8 rods
Custom Ross pistons (can give you specs)
Stock D2 heads with some cleanup work and a nice valve job.
XR270HR Comp roller cam
Comp roller lifters
PRW roller rockers with Manton adjusters and Manton push rods
Performer intake port matched to heads
700 Holley dp
I didn't care about hp. The fact that I got it was icing on the cake.
Started with a 105 block with webbing.
4.125 bore
4.125 Scat crank kit
6.8 rods
Custom Ross pistons (can give you specs)
Stock D2 heads with some cleanup work and a nice valve job.
XR270HR Comp roller cam
Comp roller lifters
PRW roller rockers with Manton adjusters and Manton push rods
Performer intake port matched to heads
700 Holley dp
Junior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs
Just curious have you figured out what kind of MPG's you're getting with this set up? I know when I was running Jeeps guys that stroked the 4.0's got considerably better gas mileage strictly because the extra power let the engine run at lower RPM's at speed. I ask because on the long list is a similar build of my 360/390 ( still haven't dug into yet I'll get to it one of these days) but I just tripled the 4 mpg I was getting when the I bought the truck and not sure I could live with much less the then the 10- 12 I'm getting now.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,724
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From: peru kansas
just fyi you probably only have a 360 in your highboy the if i remember right the 390 wasn't even an option in the highboy so unless in all these years someone has pulled one from something else and put it in your truck chances are its just a stock 360
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Good luck with it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,724
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From: peru kansas
true and there is nothing really wrong with a 360 they are just a little weaker and get crappier gas mileage but can live through about anything due to their underpowered nature they can't really hurt themselves unless its driver stupidity and like you said all stock 360s still have a 4.05 bore same as a 390 so stroking is just the same but to the op not all blocks can be safely bored past a certain point and your machinist is the only one who can check to see just how much you can bore it with no issues and if the machinist doesn't have at least 2 other FE's in his shop find one that does since they are a different breed then the rest of the ford motors.... and despite what a lot of people think sleeving isn't all that bad sometimes that is the only way to safely get the size of bore you want/need..... rant over
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,656
Likes: 4
From: Northern and Southern Cal
I agree, they do what they are supposed to do. If you want an engine to run forever, a 360 fits the bill.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Yeah, the 360 will run for a long time. What usually does them in is too many valves burned (low compression) or too many oil leaks, dumping oil as fast as you can pour it in.......
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,656
Likes: 4
From: Northern and Southern Cal
I certainly have some oil spots in my driveway.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
I still haven't got around to installing the Performer intake I bought 2 years ago. Might just pull the engine and freshen it up/reseal it completely, since it was built over 22 years ago..........
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,656
Likes: 4
From: Northern and Southern Cal
You know on the subject of the Performer intake.
I was quite surprised that it supported 411 hp.
They get a lot of poopooing in the forums but it did more than what it was supposed to.
Of course I did port match it to the heads BUT did not take out the runner profile.
As far as I'm concerned it's a hell of a good truck manifold.
I was quite surprised that it supported 411 hp.
They get a lot of poopooing in the forums but it did more than what it was supposed to.
Of course I did port match it to the heads BUT did not take out the runner profile.
As far as I'm concerned it's a hell of a good truck manifold.