can it take it

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 16, 2003 | 10:22 PM

Randyb12

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 0

From: Eureka, Ca.

can it take it

My 390 is a 1968 block 352 A 48, C7AE-B rods, 20 (or is it a2 followed by the letter O) crank and Forged pistons 7:1 CR.
I am bolting on a 6-71 blower 10PSI (along with 7:1CR will give me a differencial CR of 11.85:1), 2 edelbrock Performer 650cfm carbs, edlperf rpm heads, edl perf
rpm cam, msd billet dist, msd 6a box, and some headers 2 ¼” primaries 4: collector.
This motor is going in a 76 f150 street truck that will do weekend drag racing. The plan is to do a very fast low-riding truck. Fat
tires
all around. A Detroit locker is going in the rear end.
Can the rods and crank handle this.
Thanks

Last edited by Randyb12; Aug 16, 2003 at 10:27 PM.

Aug 17, 2003 | 12:45 AM

Ratsmoker

Post Fiend

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 6,624

Likes: 8

From: Missouri

can it take it

If you use ARP bolts everywhere and have the rods shot peened and have everything balanced it should be fine. The crank is good for over 600HP. Make sure everything is magnafluxed and checked over real good. Good aftermarket rods might be a wise choice.

Aug 17, 2003 | 01:09 AM

Randyb12

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 0

From: Eureka, Ca.

can it take it

Thanks I was beginning to think I would have to loes the blower because of the cost of high-end crank and rods.

Aug 17, 2003 | 08:41 AM

hotrodfeguy

More Turbo

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 578

Likes: 1

From: Green Bay Wi

can it take it

Nah the big thing is keep it all in balance.FE rods are strong as long as you detail them.Grind/polish the rods make sure the grind marks go with the length of the rod on your final pass.So one could use the bench grinder for the first pass and follow with a dremel tool or some hand grinder going with the length of the rod.Yes do go with ARP or aftermarket rod bolts.And shot peening is also a plus.Remember to get the rods reconditioned.Also same goes for the main studs you have to get the block line bored again after the install of the main studs.Now two biggest causes of failure of parts are RPM and out of balance If you have the entire engine balanced (pistons with pins and rings,rods,crank,flywheel,harmonic balancer and flexplate) Things will be alot more happy inside at any speed.Now how many FE engines have ya seen grenade with RPM kept under 5500 RPM ?Now a supercharger lets you keep the RPM's down and make the same power someone else would need Nascar type RPM to get the same numbers normaly aspirated.So with that said I would say say stay with the stock parts just do a little detail work.Oh yea forged pistons are a must have at 10psi.

Aug 17, 2003 | 08:44 AM

hotrodfeguy

More Turbo

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 578

Likes: 1

From: Green Bay Wi

can it take it

Also have you bored out the 352 block?

Aug 17, 2003 | 12:08 PM

Randyb12

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 0

From: Eureka, Ca.

can it take it

The block goes to the machine shop monday. I will know if it's any good and if it needs boring.

Aug 18, 2003 | 01:19 PM

Randyb12

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 0

From: Eureka, Ca.

can it take it

The block is getting boerd .030.

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Joe Kucinski

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

Aug 18, 2003 | 05:50 PM

Randyb12

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 0

From: Eureka, Ca.

can it take it

Any year? Are the 390 rods going to work? Thanks

Aug 18, 2003 | 05:54 PM

#10

DuckRyder

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 426

Likes: 0

From: Knoxville, TN

can it take it

Isn't it a 390 block?

Aug 18, 2003 | 06:00 PM

#11

Randyb12

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 0

From: Eureka, Ca.

can it take it

Yes it is a 390cid. the casting number is 352 A 48.

Aug 18, 2003 | 06:06 PM

#12

DuckRyder

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 426

Likes: 0

From: Knoxville, TN

can it take it

Ah, thats what I thought.....

390 rods and crank will work fine I think.

I think hotrodfeguy thought it was a 352 block which has a smaller bore if I'm not mistaken.

Aug 18, 2003 | 06:09 PM

#13

Randyb12

Thread Starter

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,268

Likes: 0

From: Eureka, Ca.

can it take it

Will his idea of using 302 pistons still work. They would save some money.

Aug 18, 2003 | 08:52 PM

#14

hotrodfeguy

More Turbo

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 578

Likes: 1

From: Green Bay Wi

can it take it

No sorry I thought you had a 352,The cheap pistons only work on a 352 block witch starts off with a 4.000" bore 360/390 blocks are 4.05" bore
Any 390 rod is fine,the best ones I am told are the 3/8" rod blot rods.