Short history: 1995 purchased 65 F100 w/ 390 and 4bbl single plane aluminum Edelbrock purchased as a parts truck while reconditioning my other 65. I swapped the single plane Edelbrock for the cast iron 4bbl thinking I would improve MPH; live and learn? Truck sat for 10 years and I have not put many miles on it since, guesstimate no more than 15,000 since the rebuild.

Recently removed the engine to clean and dress jit up, particularly the intake manifold then considering selling once project is completed.Started removing the bolts to the intake manifold before I find it appears the rocker arm assembly has to be removed. Looking thru the manual it seems I have opened a can of worms, adjusting is not a simple task and possibly more involved that I expected, must been having a Senior moment I do not recall having to deal with the rocker arm when I swapped the intake manifold? I have done a DIMyself cam and lifter replacement on the other 65 where the 302 was not that involved whereas in reviewing the shop manual the 390 seems lot more involved and possibly require special tools? Options; try and reseal the intake to the block; remove the rocker assembly and attempt to reassemble and adjust; or load the engine onto my truck and take it to a shop and have them clean, install the rocker arm assembly and intake.

Original owner said the 390 was out of a 64 Thunderbird however the rebuild shop noted it as a 66??

Comments/Suggestions appreciated.

 

Very few tools (certainly nothing special) required to remove and reinstall an intake on an FE...just the muscle to lift the cast iron intake. Remove the 4 bolts for each rocker assembly by backing them out about one turn each at at time until they're all loose (so you don't bend the rocker arm shaft). Remove your push rods and keep them in order so they go back in the same holes. Good idea to make sure they're all still straight. Then unbolt and remove intake.

Install the intake. Then take your time installing the rocker arm shafts making sure all push rods are seated at each end. Tighten the four rocker arm shaft bolts one at a time about one turn at a time. Tighten to around 40 lb ft (but double check that amount). Make sure the drip tray that goes under the rocker arm shaft is not rubbing the valve springs. If there is a splash shield under the intake, make that is seated correctly so that the push rods don't rub it or it will tap and drive you up a tree.

You have non-adjustable rocker arms and likely hydraulic flat tappets. There is no adjustment possible.

 

also one of the rocker arm bolts has a reduced shank and is how the top end oil gets to the top, make sure this bolt goes back to the correct place, if you look at the bolt holes in the head you will be able to tell where it goes

 

Excellent (and very important) point !

 

65 Ford and Ishort; Thank you both for the information, I removed the rocker assembly, fortunately as 65Ford described. I placed the bolts in a bag and labeled and noted there are 2 smaller shank bolts and their location.

Again, I thank U's.