best things for a 360

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Feb 5, 2004 | 06:58 PM

AirSmitty

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From: Newhall,CA

best things for a 360

What is the best thing to do to a stock 75' 360 externally? Would it be better to get a 4 barrel manifold and carb, or buy headers first. I'll probably do both eventually, but what should I start with?

Feb 5, 2004 | 07:21 PM

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I would fine tune it (carb, and timing) and go with the headers and a good dual exhaust (at least 2 inch pipe) with some good mufflers (or straight pipes if you like annoying the cops and neighbors!!! Ha Ha I did that to an '86 F-150 4x4 302 EFI but not with my 73 F-100 2x4 401 FE, it has Thrush glasspacks). The stock manifolds on FE's have got to go down in history and some of the most restrictive. Then go with a 4v intake of your choice, carb in the 500 to 600 CFM range or bigger deppending on what else you may do to the engine. How many miles does the old 360 have and have you done any compression tests and cylinder leakage test....

Feb 5, 2004 | 07:24 PM

fordman428

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From: Iowa

i would start with a 4 barrell intake and manifoldm you can get the edelbrock performer mainfold for lpw end torque or the performer rpm if you ever plan on hopping it up later, the 4 barrell carb you choose is up to you, theres a lot of good ones out there the holley truck avenger carb is a good one, as for headers, you can get some cheap ones from summit for under 100 bucks, if you have anymore questions just ask, good luck

Feb 5, 2004 | 07:37 PM

AirSmitty

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From: Newhall,CA

I don't know the mileage or compression because I dont have the truck yet. It was in pieces because it was just primered so i couldn't drive it, but i saw it before the primer and theres no rot. If all goes well it will be mine on saturday. I'm just getting a head start hehe. It already has a single 3 inch flowster, but I want duals. By the way its a 1975 f250 ranger xlt 4x4. The $120 Hedman headers on summit say they only fits 2wd. Are there cheap ones for a 4x4 too? thanks.

Last edited by AirSmitty; Feb 5, 2004 at 07:48 PM.

Feb 5, 2004 | 07:53 PM

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Not sure about the headers but if you are considering the Perfomer manifold I would look around your town and on e-bay for a Holley Street Dominator or Edelbrock Streetmaster intake instead of the Performer, just seem to hear a lot that with a Performer you gain negligible low-end but lose some mid range and high end, (they have extremely small ports, not sure what the size on the street dominator or Streemaster are but I have heard these are a better intakes than the Perfomer.

Feb 5, 2004 | 10:19 PM

TheImpaler

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From: Tucson USA

I know you said externally, but I have to say it. A 360 is identical to a 390 with the exception of the crank, rods, and pistons. All things considered, those items are relatively easy to scrounge up, and well worth it, to my knowledge. My machinist has 3 390's right now, 2 of which happened to be 360's. He had no problem finding the necessary components. Anyway - just a thought.
I'll chime in as everyone else has - getting air into and out of the engine is the number one external upgrade. The exhaust is very restrictive and you'll notice a "seat of the pants" difference with some headers and a quality dual exhaust. (Maybe dual 2 1/4").
As far as the intake, if nothing else, an aftermarket one will save your back and a whole lot of weight. It's something like 45 pounds versus 80 pounds. Eek.

-Patrick

Feb 5, 2004 | 11:06 PM

biz4two

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From: Albuquerque

I'd recommend going with the "4 barrel manifold and carb" setup first. If it already has a single 3 inch exhaust...then the top end is more important. As you mentioned...you can always add the headers and dual exhaust later. If you do, then I recommend at a minimum a 2.5" setup.

All upgrades come from Edelbrock:
1. Manifold Part #2105
2. Performer Series 600cfm Part #1406 (electric choke)
3. Thunder AVS Carb (650 cfm for Off-Road) Part #1826

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/index.html

The great thing about these FE's...is that you can build it up slowly...and not all at once. As long as you have an ideal of what you want out of your FE.

Good luck with it!