More horses!!
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New User
Joined: Sep 2018
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More horses!!
I have a 1961 ford f100 unibody long box. Its got a 351w (2barrel carb) out a 75 Mercury Montego(only makes a sad 160hp). I'm looking for any good affordable ways to gain more horsepower. I'm open to any suggestions you give me 
I have a 4 barrel Edelbrock intake also just sitting around in my garage
I have a 4 barrel Edelbrock intake also just sitting around in my garage
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,786
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From: Kentucky
How mechanically inclined are you? Tools, place to work on the truck, daily driver, etc.?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
If money is tight, and even if it isn't, put your smart cap on and start studying about ignition timing and the distributor itself, how it works. There's a ton of stuff online. There is a whole bunch of potential to be had simply by modifying the ignition timing curve, the mechanical advance. It doesn't cost anything, other than your time. Need a timing light and maybe a couple bucks worth of springs. Here's a pretty good page on what to do in general.
"Do you want to unleash the hidden horsepower and make full use of the fuel efficiency inside your engine? We can get there by accurately tuning your engine."
http://www.squarebirds.org/simplyconnected/390Build/Distributor.htm
"Do you want to unleash the hidden horsepower and make full use of the fuel efficiency inside your engine? We can get there by accurately tuning your engine."
http://www.squarebirds.org/simplyconnected/390Build/Distributor.htm
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My max is about $1200 dollars. I myself am still learning things but can do just about anything with the proper guidance, but I have some friends who know these old ford motors like the back of there hand that always are willing to help me. My tool situation is pretty decent, we are no speed shop by any means but we have just about every tool we would need but a welder(if needed).
Its also not my daily as I live in Wisconsin and the winters would destroy the truck
Its also not my daily as I live in Wisconsin and the winters would destroy the truck
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Heads, cam, intake and exhaust are where the gains are, and of those the single biggest bang for the buck will be a cam change. $200-$250 for a flat tappet cam/lifter package and some gaskets could produce as much as 100hp depending upon the cam specs and the condition of the exhaust system. This assumes free labor of course.
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New User
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Heads, cam, intake and exhaust are where the gains are, and of those the single biggest bang for the buck will be a cam change. $200-$250 for a flat tappet cam/lifter package and some gaskets could produce as much as 100hp depending upon the cam specs and the condition of the exhaust system. This assumes free labor of course.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
To do a cam change the motor has to be stripped bare, remove valve covers, intake, water pump and timing cover so you need all those gaskets.
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
Felpro gaskets are about the best to use. Except for their Print-O-Seal line. (also called P.O.S. for a reason) You will need what's called a "full set" But sometimes you'll get the POS head gaskets in these. I would by a timing gasket set and an intake manifold set and a pair of their #9333 head gaskets. You'll also need a pair of valve cover gaskets. Most times cheaper to buy the full set and see what the head gaskets are then decide if you want better head gaskets than to buy all the rest separately. There will be more gaskets in the full set than you'll use, but don't toss the extra stuff, you never know when that stuff comes to the rescue later on.
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