Guys, where do I begin...? Okay, for those of you patient enough, here goes...

I have an opportunity to purchase (from a family member) a '75 pickup with the 360 (automatic). I don't know much about the truck other than it runs well enough for small jaunts around the neighborhood. I can get the thing for $200.

My interest lies in rebuilding the motor and discarding the rest (except maybe the tranny). The rest of the truck is pretty much worthless (i.e. rust).

I've never rebuilt an engine, but I'm knowledgable on how an engine works. There would be no time constraints in getting this done. I've read numerous postings on rebuilding to a 390, 410, ect. Eventually, I want the thing to run and may as well have it "beefed up" a little for my efforts.

It seems to me that playing around and rebuilding/improving a 360 seems relatively easy compared to other motors due to the high interchangability.

The truck runs and has no big mechanical problems but I wanna' try to rebuild and improve the engine and eventually (probably years down the road) drop in into an older car. I don't want to dump thousands into it, but being that there is no press for time I can probably afford to put a little more into it.

So, I guess my question is where do I start? Basically, I want to keep the engine and get rid of the rest as soon as possible.

You guys are awesome! Thanks for the help and I'm sure I have thousands more questions for you as I create havoc in my garage.

 

Please clarify if you want to stay with the 360 or take it up to 390.

Also, wouldn't hurt if we knew about what you want to spend.

-Scouder

 

If your set on going with a longer stroke (390 or 410 setup), then you have to start by tearing down to the block and get it inspected by a machine shop to determine what shape it's in, how much overbore to clean up is required and if there is enough cylinder wall available to do it.

If you think you can be happy with the 360, run a compression check and let us know where you are at.

you really need to determine what you want this motor to do and an approximate budget. Otherwise, you end up spending a lot more than planned..personal experience :-)

 

Thanks Scouder. On a broad perspective, I want the motor to get up and go. Not for racing, but to have the abiltity to "get on it" if I were to be stopped next to a rice-burner at a stoplight and show him what the rear end of a domestic car looks like.

Over time, I'm looking at spending 2k-2.5k on everything (notice the "over time" part). I know that there are other more economical options (i.e. just purchasing a new one), but I want to find out what my automotive limitations are (I have prepared myself in the event that this doesn't work out).

And thanks gtex. Once I pull the motor I send just the block to the machine shop? I'll run a compression check before I do and post the results.

Thanks guys, you're awesome...

 

Well, 2000 to 2500 doesn't get you much these days, when I did my engine the machine shop costs alone were $2500, and that's not including parts.

I'd look at turning your 360 into a 390 at the very least. The block will have to be bored anyway so you might as well get a few extra cubic inches (and power) out of it.

The biggest thing to remember about rebuilding an engine is patience and cleanliness. Take your time, make sure everything is extra clean, and double and triple check all your clearances before final assembly. Rushing through a project usually ends up with something getting broken, whether it be the engine or one of your bones so take your time.

 

I tend to agree with Comegetsome. Your probably going to machine the crank anyway, so find a 390 crank to machine. Pistons are on the list, so switching to 390 is a no brainer.

If I were looking for a daily driver with some spunk I would use a 390 crank, depending on your altitude and cam about a 9.5:1 compression, headers with dual exhaust and free flowing mufflers, a performer RPM manifold, something similar to a Performer RPM cam, and around a 750 vacuum secondary carb.

This type of combination would give you a reasonable bottom end for daily driving, and have plenty of performance up to around 6000 rpm without having to dump alot of money into other components. It would also be around for a long time if it's built with care.

-Scouder

 

Guys, I'm really sorry.

I just went to my pop-in-law's and looked at this beast. It turns out, according to the original manufacturer's engine sticker, that it's actually a 390.

As far as the previous price range, I guess I was hoping that I could get by with improvements around the $2500 mark. In reality, I guess I knew it would be more to get a motor that I would truely be happy with

But hey, a little wishful thinkin' never hurt.

This project is going to end up being a hobby for me, so there's really no concern about time and/or money (within reason). I just hope you guys can hang on long enough to help me out.

With it being a 390, what do you guys think?

 

Doesn't change a thing. Just means you don't have to find a crank. A few dollars saved already, congratulations!

Now just figure out what you want it to do. Lotsa torque down low? Lotsa Horses up high? Happy medium? The ball is in your court.

-Scouder

 

What if I wanted to take it to the next level (410 is it?)?

Okay, I've broadened my horizon to spending a total of about 5k-6k (yikes, breaks the savings). Hopefully this weekend, I can begin pulling the engine out of the truck.

 

You may be able to sell some of the parts you will not use. Do you have a place to park the truck? If this truck has disk brakes, power steering and a good ratio 9 inch you could sell all of that. How about body parts, I know you said rusty, but? Dash pad, window regulators, glass, wiring harness. A good bench seat for a Ford pickup costs about 100.00 bucks around here. Tail gate, bumpers, bumper brackets? All worth a few bucks. How about the wiper motor? See where I am heading with this? Now about that 390, budget 3K for a smooth running street engine. Later you can add aluminum heads, intake, headers, cam and so on as the budget allows. Disassembling this truck for parts is a lot of fun and you will learn much.

 

Thanks, William.

Basically you're saying that I should rebuild the current 390 to it's stock form (with the exception of the mandatory improvements) and not "kick it up a notch (bam!)" until later?

As far as the rest of the truck goes, the body is in really bad shape. Either dented or rusted all the way around.

The front end is really loose and probably only the bumper that's in "fair" shape is the front. I'll check the brakes tonight, but the tranny's also leaks and is weak.

I don't have much room as far as parking, but maybe it's worth keepin' to sell for parts. Hmmmmm.....

*****n00b question*****
How do I check what size rear end?

Thanks for the help. I start rippin' her out this Saturday. Ton's more questions to come.

 

Secret, where do you live ? that may be a very important part of the equasion. 1 of our posters said he spent 2500$ on machine work alone.......where I live you could get all of the machining done for under 1K and have a very nice and quite powerful 390 for 2.5K$ I think there are more than a few places ripping guys off out there. DF

 

dinosaurfan, that 2.5K was Canadian dollars, hence the huge difference.

 

dinosaurfan, I like your numbers! lol

I live in the sizzling sunshine of Seattle where the days are cold and the coffee's hot.

Hopefully, when I start shopping around for prices, you guys can let me know it they seem resonable or not.

Bartender! Give the boys a round on me.

Mucho mas to come.

 

Any ideas on how to break the motor mounts free on this 390 beast? There doesn't seem to be enough space to use a long-handled item.