Looking for opinions here....what would an aluminium intake and a 4 bbl. do to a 360....and what is the availability of the aluminum intakes....the old engine runs pretty good, but is kinda sluggish...It was stored for about 15 years, and I just recently got it back in running condition....71 three speed on the column, and basically nothing but a seat and a steering wheel.. New paint and an excellent interior but the engine....well it leaves something to be desired....Opinions please!

 

well you can get a aluminum intake from edelbrock, and a edelbrock carb, it would help the 360 quite a bit, i might also suggest some headers if you dont already have them you can get some cheap ones for around $100.

 

Thanks for your input fordman...had not thought of headers....I am rather proud of this old truck....I have owned it since about 1979, so I know it pretty well...thanks again....any others?

 

If the motor is mechanically sound with good compression I think you would get the most bang for your buck by replacing the carb. with a Holley 500cfm along with a Pertronix conversion and some headers.

Barry

 

another advantage to replacing the intake with an aluminum one is the loss of about 50 pounds of scrap iron! the stock intake weighs about 85 pounds so get some help to remove it. LOL. seriously, a nice aluminum intake and 600 CFM carb will wake up your truck nicely (much more driveable that the holley 500 2 barrel) and with the addition of headers you may shocked at how much more low end performance and torque your otherwise stock engine has. hawkrod

 

As long as you're tearing into the engine, why not go the extra mile and replace the timing chain & sprockets? Have you checked it for slack? They're only good for about 80K and when they get loose they also run retarded, reducing your low end performance. It might also be the original nylon covered one that cracks off little chunks until it's all gone. If you get a new set make sure it's for a '71 or earlier as the later ones are retarded.

 

I would not recommend cheap/low cost headers because they will eventually leak. Unless, you don't mind leaky headers. I've always had a bias against headers because they usually leaked and were a pia to install and made it a pia to get to other stuff like starters and plugs. But as far as performance and weight reduction goes, they're great. A friend of mine showed me a set of headers that had a super thick flange that was sure not to leak. I don't remember the brand, but I believe they were about $400. You'll also need to have a muffler shop redo the pipes to get them to bolt up to the collectors.

 

This is just hearsay, but I have heard bad things about the Edlebrock SP2P manifolds for this family of engines (the FE). Story goes something like the runners are so small it runs out of steam at extremely low RPM's. Not even sure if these manifolds are still in production, but just in case you'd run across one used somewhere.

Has anyone here had good results with the SP2P? Might try asking for advice on the FE section of this board also. Also, there are a few books that can be found in book stores or at this site in the $30 and under range that have some advice on the FE motors.

 

I appreciate the input about my 360 engine....it seems to me that it is a pretty rare bird these days....I assume that parts for the 390 engines will fit on the 360? Pretty new at this soupin' up thing....but my son has done the whole nine yards to his chev. 350 and kinda makes fun of the ol' Ford....! Parts seem pretty hard to find....Thanks

 

I appreciate the input about my 360 engine....it seems to me that it is a pretty rare bird these days....I assume that parts for the 390 engines will fit on the 360? Pretty new at this soupin' up thing....but my son has done the whole nine yards to his chev. 350 and kinda makes fun of the ol' Ford....! Parts seem pretty hard to find....Thanks

 

I have a 360 on my '69. Love it. Same as 390, just with a diff. crank length.
I did exactly what you're thinking...bought it a year ago, everthing original and stock. Bought an aluminum edelbrock performer intake mani..new for about 250, and a Holley 670cfm avenger carb (beeeeaaaaauuuuutiful carb...so easy to tune!!!!)
Electronic ignition. Haven't gotten to the headers yet. Parts aren't that hard to find...you can get just about anything you need through a good edel. and Holley provider.
Big recommendation: don't use the front and rear wall cork gaskets between the intake mani and the block: use hi-temp gasket maker (silicone)...being VERY careful to not allow any silicone to fall into the block, pile 2 or 3 thick strips of the silicon on the front and rear walls of the block, and then very, very slowly and accurately set the manifold down onto the block/heads. Use the regular metal/synthetic gaskets between the mani and the heads. remember to mark your dist. position, and then once the dist. is out of the engine DO NOT turn the engine over...then when you're done, all you have to do is slap the dist. back in and go. Sanderson heads are the best, from what I've heard...good customer service, although I have not yet gone that route. Cheers!

J