rebuild or crate engine
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New User
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rebuild or crate engine
Hey all,
I am in a bit of a predicament. I have a 1973 F250 with either a 360 or 390 not sure. I am trying to decide if i want to restore the current motor or to buy a crate engine. now here is the kicker it ran a few years back but its been sitting a while. I inherited it after a family member passed. Anyway i tried turning it over by hand and it wont budge not even with a wrench. Just hoping to get a few opinions so i can decide on a course of action. Thanks for any advice you may have as this will be my first in depth project so ill take all the advice i can get!
I am in a bit of a predicament. I have a 1973 F250 with either a 360 or 390 not sure. I am trying to decide if i want to restore the current motor or to buy a crate engine. now here is the kicker it ran a few years back but its been sitting a while. I inherited it after a family member passed. Anyway i tried turning it over by hand and it wont budge not even with a wrench. Just hoping to get a few opinions so i can decide on a course of action. Thanks for any advice you may have as this will be my first in depth project so ill take all the advice i can get!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,698
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From: Taxachusetts
Welcome!
First off, yer going to have to yank the engine whether you rebuild or obtain a crate...
Have you tried pulling the plugs, spill a bit of Marvel Mystery Oil in each of the cylinders, wait a day/half a day and re-try turning her over with a socket?
If she's been settin fer a spell chances are good that there's a bunch of rust in there...rusted rings (mebbe), rusted berrins, lifters, etc.
Me? I would rebuild...after ascertaining if she's a 360 or 390. Those two blocks share the same/same except for the crank and pistons...
First off, yer going to have to yank the engine whether you rebuild or obtain a crate...
Have you tried pulling the plugs, spill a bit of Marvel Mystery Oil in each of the cylinders, wait a day/half a day and re-try turning her over with a socket?
If she's been settin fer a spell chances are good that there's a bunch of rust in there...rusted rings (mebbe), rusted berrins, lifters, etc.
Me? I would rebuild...after ascertaining if she's a 360 or 390. Those two blocks share the same/same except for the crank and pistons...
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 308
Likes: 1
From: Lithia springs ga
I just went thought 3 blocks (including the original) before I found a good one. I always suggest trying to rebuild as a first option
and besides YA CANT BREAK WHATS ALREADY BROKEN!! so don't be afraid to dig into it to diagnose it if ya have to
and besides YA CANT BREAK WHATS ALREADY BROKEN!! so don't be afraid to dig into it to diagnose it if ya have to
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I have not tried that yet but I most certainly will! Sounds like I have just been looking at this from the wrong angle. Your right I'm going to have to do it either way so might as well take a get at it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 6,437
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From: Oklahoma
having recently seen an FE engine (my brother's 360) go from running rough in a truck to out on a stand ready to go back in, i'd say this is one of the easier platforms to rebuild! no a whole whole lot for 'aftermarket' like some of the other motors in that era, but you catch my drift... toss the iron intake and get an aluminum one with a nice carb! and poot sum headers awn eet! and msd ignition! lol just kidding, do what you want with your truck! 
looking forward to hearing what you end up doing to it!
looking forward to hearing what you end up doing to it!
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New User
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having recently seen an FE engine (my brother's 360) go from running rough in a truck to out on a stand ready to go back in, i'd say this is one of the easier platforms to rebuild! no a whole whole lot for 'aftermarket' like some of the other motors in that era, but you catch my drift... toss the iron intake and get an aluminum one with a nice carb! and poot sum headers awn eet! and msd ignition! lol just kidding, do what you want with your truck! looking forward to hearing what you end up doing to it!
looking forward to hearing what you end up doing to it!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 6,437
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From: Oklahoma
you got that right! if you want i'll ask what my bro did on his intake, not that theres tons of options lol
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Couldnt hurt I was thinking just an edlebrock performer 4 barrel
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Tuned
Joined: May 2016
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I put a eldebrock performer on my 390. It works fine. But in my case I would put a performer rpm on it. But the intake and cam have to be close on the operating rpms too work to it's full performance potential. And a carburetor that us too big can hurt also. Stick around the 625, 650 cfm range. And a set of headers and 2.5 inch exhaust you will be happy
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I put a eldebrock performer on my 390. It works fine. But in my case I would put a performer rpm on it. But the intake and cam have to be close on the operating rpms too work to it's full performance potential. And a carburetor that us too big can hurt also. Stick around the 625, 650 cfm range. And a set of headers and 2.5 inch exhaust you will be happy
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: Macon,GA
I have been in your shoes and I will recommend crate. Unless you have a piecemeal budget it may be more bang for your buck in the long run. Unless you are going to hone and build it yourself a shop plus necessary parts are going to run close to the price of a dynoed crate. Whatever you do never LEB racing for an engine those guys are cocky idiots. You can start of with a long block and build it yourself if you want the experience but once you add up parts it's a wash. I got a roller stroker crate from Blueprint and I am pretty happy with it.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
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Also debated same thing. Build what I got or crate. Best I could figure barring any machine shop surprises it would be almost same money.
Went with what I had.
Machine shop money stays local, hand pick parts, know exactly what was done and for dumb sentimental reasons still have the engine the truck came with.
Went with what I had.
Machine shop money stays local, hand pick parts, know exactly what was done and for dumb sentimental reasons still have the engine the truck came with.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 406
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From: Macon,GA
Also debated same thing. Build what I got or crate. Best I could figure barring any machine shop surprises it would be almost same money.
Went with what I had.
Machine shop money stays local, hand pick parts, know exactly what was done and for dumb sentimental reasons still have the engine the truck came with.
Went with what I had.
Machine shop money stays local, hand pick parts, know exactly what was done and for dumb sentimental reasons still have the engine the truck came with.
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