Howdy, so i am kinda diving headfirst into a rebuild of my 390 in an f100, and have so many doubts. First off, engine is still in truck with heads, intake, and all the other bolt on stuff removed. Had to do a valve replacement, and once everything was off now i don't want to put it back together without doing the rest. Compression tests showed from 120-70 on this tired engine, and oil pressure starts at 50, dropping and holding to 15 after a little while, so i know it needs some help. Engine has 150000 miles on it, with a rebuild sometime in the past due to having .030 over pistons in her. Cylinders are shiny inside, without any crosshatch left, but there is almost zero ridge. Really have to feel very very carefully to feel any at all . Anyway. My first question is about ordering a kit. I know i have to get it out, and opened up- measuring bore, inspecting everything, measuring everything. I have a bore gauge, and a caliper, and know how to use them, but what specs do i need to buy the right kit exactly? Not past the point of no return yet, but i am hurrying to that point before i chicken out. I never even pulled an engine, and will be doing every part of it myself in the dirt under the mountain trees shade. I am gonna be asking a lot of dumb questions by the way over the next few weeks. Any pointers on the pull, or measurements would be great!

 

What are your questions ?

 

I would start by looking in Ebay for a Ford "OEM" shop service manual which covers the 390 engine. This would be used since OEM is out of print. This is what we used.
There are different volumes to some manuals so make sure the one you buy covers the engine.

I would expect any year manual close to yours which covers the 390 engine would be good to use for engine specs.and disassemble and assembly directions.

I would stick with major brand parts such as Clevite, Melling, Fel-Pro, Cloyes, ARP, Sealed Power. You should be able to find just about everything at Rock Auto.
I have zero confidence in the OEM style engine mounts because they de-laminate..

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...om=R40&_sop=12

 

When i get this engine pulled this weekend, what parts need to be measured besides bore to get the right kit. I see all kits have pistons, and bearings sized as stock, .030+, .040+, and .060+. This engine has been bored .030+ already in the past. So i guess i need to know what the measurements i gather from the crank, bore, and whatever else i need to measure, relate to those sizes. This is the part that that most worries me. Or am i overthinking it?

 

I have the original 5 vol shop manuals. Actually totally forgot i had them

 

See my revision I made above listing parts.
You will need to closely inspect the crank for signs of uneven wear in addition to measuring it for out of round etc. Look at and measure all bearing surfaces including the thrust bearing.

I would replace all bearings including cam, high volume oil pump, timing kit, new cam and make sure you break it in properly, lifters etc.

 

This is exactly what my plan is. Gonna need to buy a cam tool though. The kits i am looking at in my budget consist of all of these parts

 

Check your brand name auto stores. They may have a loaner kit to install cam bearings.
My recollection is you need a "shallow" freeze plug to put in the back of the block where the cam bearing is. May not be that easy to find. You are also supposed to put sealant around it. Check the service manual.

Also look closely at your freeze plugs. Now is the time to do those if they show corrosion.

If take out any of the pipe plugs to clear the oil lines, keep close track of where they go so you put them back. Have heard of people removing them from under the intake and forgetting to reinstall.