Hello, I have a 1974 F250 2WD that I will be taking the engine out of in a couple of days for a refresh. I'd like to keep it as simple as possbile, so I'm going with mostly stock stuff... I'm getting a engine gasket set and a new timing chain so far.
I have a few questions:
1. Camshaft
I am not sure if I want to go with a stock camshaft or a different camshaft. This truck is just going to be a cruiser and it may haul some stuff every once in a while... I'm just asking because I'll have the motor out. This is my first ever engine build and I know that if I go with some a high lift camshaft I may have to change valve springs.. This is just a learning experience for me, and yes, I do have some people I can ask for advise
2.
The 390 thats in the truck has a decent amount of blowby, and it carried 60 PSI of oil pressure when cold, 40 when driving and about 15 at idle. I'm not sure of the cause of the blowby, possibly rings. Is it worth it to re-ring the pistons? I dont plan on having it bored out any, any machine shop work would probably just be decking the heads and maybe the block.

With the engine out, I also plan on getting a 4 barrel intake, carb, and some headers.. its currently all stock with 2 barrel and manifolds. I'll probably also get the heads and block checked, thanks. Apologies if this is in the wrong section, my first post
I think its a 360, the vin says its a 360 and it has a valve cover that says 360, but they're practically interchangable in parts to my knowledge so

 

If you have significant blow-by I would plan on having the block bored. If it doesn't need it, that's great, but I would be prepared to bore it.

You can pick up entire rotating assemblies for the FE engines that would convert your engine to a 390. I don't think it would be worth the money invested to go back with a 360 rotating assembly.

If you're going to spend the money for carb, intake, headers, camshaft and have the engine out, you may as well dive head first and do it right the first time.

If it is budget concerns, I would be more concerned with building a solid bottom end and using the stock carb, intake and exhaust manifolds. You can upgrade carb/intake and exhaust later, but adding all those performance parts to a worn out, even if refreshed, bottom end is asking for trouble and pretty safe bet you'll be pulling that engine back out in short order to do a proper rebuild.

 

Gotcha. It wasn't a whole ton of blowby but it was definetly a concerning amount... especially compared to my Ford 300..
Your right, I'll probably end up making sure the bottom end is solid and just going stock.. I don't have a really small budget but also don't have a ton to spend.. thanks for the info

 

The first thing to do is get it out, tear it down and inspect and measure everything.

Once you see what you're working with you can start making decisions, some things are optional some are not. don't buy any parts until you have this figured out.

If its a 360 your going to have to spend a little more if you want a power upgrade. if it's a 2v 390 you'll need new higher compression pistons for your 4v upgrade so boring will be required in any event. I would STRONGLY suggest a roller cam for a host of reasons but you can worry about that later.

 

Ok, yeah that sounds good. I should have it out soon.. im leaving the transmission in the truck.
I got told its a 390 but you know how it goes, every seller says its a 390..
I've recently had one head and intake off, put a new head gasket in after I had to pull the head for broke exhaust manifold bolts.. I didn't do any measurements, I should have.

 

The bore is the same you need to measure the stroke. when you get the numbers off the crank you'll know.

 

 

Got it out... tearing it down.. Plan on throwing new bearings and rings in and re-assembling. Also new timing chain, cam and lifters, possibly valve springs

 

That's what we all dream we can get away with, so now it's time to see if you're that lucky.

 

^^^^^What he said

 

I know for sure I'm replacing the cam, lifters, and timing chain.. does anyone know where I can find a stock replacement 360 cam? and lifters? There's so many different cams and different options I'm just trying to keep it as simple as possible... thanks..

 

Your best bet if you want a stockish cam and don't want to spend the money on a roller is an RV cam. all FE's take the same cam so just look for an RV cam. it's slightly better than stock and easy to find.

As far as lifters buy them from Howards or a reputable company, none of them are any good anymore so get the best of the bad you can. then hope they survive .

I wouldn't buy any parts until you know exactly what you have to work with. plans can change.

 

I'd recommend getting an opinion from a reputable machine shop after removing all of the oil galley plugs you can find. These should be replaced with 1/4" NPT plugs by the machine shop or by you shortly thereafter. It has to be clean to start with. Getting the machine shop to establish the integrity of the block casting is important and essential if major work such as boring is decided upon.
What you can't see can hurt you.

 

Gotcha, finally got the damn thing on a stand.. This is my first time doing any of this (not tearing down a motor, but actually planning on using the motor after I build it).. I have a reputable machine shop nearby that I had resurface some heads one time, so I'll ask them.

 

Is this one of those nylon timing gears everyone talks about on here? I got told it was a 80k mile truck since it was a Department of Defense truck and it may be true