All Guru's Question!!
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FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
All Guru's Question!!
OK..I have a 390... In a 70 F250/C6/Dana/Hedders and a 750 holley on a stock manifold...
Should I just drive the truck as is with the 390 in it...and try to find a 69 or 70 428 to make a little more HP?
Or just rebuild another 390?? I would like to make
Some where around 400HP ...so I guess that being said..
The truck wont be realy pulling much..A small boat on occation..
BUT!! I do live in a hilly area in SW..VA...
And Rat!! that dude down the block with the DOG Hemi...
Is realy OFF!!! LOL!!!
Thanks Guys!!! Russ!!
Should I just drive the truck as is with the 390 in it...and try to find a 69 or 70 428 to make a little more HP?
Or just rebuild another 390?? I would like to make
Some where around 400HP ...so I guess that being said..
The truck wont be realy pulling much..A small boat on occation..
BUT!! I do live in a hilly area in SW..VA...
And Rat!! that dude down the block with the DOG Hemi...
Is realy OFF!!! LOL!!!
Thanks Guys!!! Russ!!
Last edited by Ratsmoker; Feb 18, 2004 at 11:33 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,117
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From: Evanston, WY
If you are only trying to make 400HP the 390 is quite capable of that. The difference is going to be torque. The 428 is going to make more of it, and do it at lower RPM where it really helps, like cruising over hills on the highway.
If money is not the issue then it is a no brainer, build the 428. If it is an issue then build a nice 400HP 390 and enjoy it. As I have stated before, I think the 390 is a very underrated engine. As soon as people start talking performance they go the 428 route or bigger, when a 390 can be made to perform VERY well for less money.
-Scouder
If money is not the issue then it is a no brainer, build the 428. If it is an issue then build a nice 400HP 390 and enjoy it. As I have stated before, I think the 390 is a very underrated engine. As soon as people start talking performance they go the 428 route or bigger, when a 390 can be made to perform VERY well for less money.
-Scouder
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 1
From: Colville, Washington
My previous engine was a .040 over 390 with forged pistons, Cam Dynamics 284 Energizer, cheap headers, Ford 4 bbl intake, home ported heads, MSD 6A and Pertronix ignition, 650 Holley dbl pumper, stock 2.03/1.56 valve sizes--hmmm don't remember anything else special. I towed a 16' gooseneck horse trailer(loaded~ 10,000 lbs.) over the highest pass in the state(Sherman Pass) and delighted in passing newer trucks. It ran very hard and never failed to impress others with it's willingness to tow and haul loads. It is important to properly gear the truck to keep the engine in its power band.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Here's the going hot setup for a 400+ hp 390ci:
1. Ported stock heads or Edelbrock FE heads
2. Crane 343941 cam
3. Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
4. ~9.7:1 compression
5. 750cfm Holley
6. Headers and dual exhaust, use short open glasspack type mufflers, like race bullets
This is what I'm building for my truck FWIW.
1. Ported stock heads or Edelbrock FE heads
2. Crane 343941 cam
3. Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
4. ~9.7:1 compression
5. 750cfm Holley
6. Headers and dual exhaust, use short open glasspack type mufflers, like race bullets
This is what I'm building for my truck FWIW.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
I really wish I had more budget builds on my dyno page. I can give you a cheaper recipie for a pretty hot 390 without breaking the bank. I don't know if I am making over 400HP. Desktop dyno says I am making 450 but who really knows. I don't think I am close to that. I will know in a couple months hopefully.
TRW L2291F Pistons
Stock rods with ARP bolts
ARP main bolts
Crane 343941 cam
Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
750 carb
Headers
The heads are going to be the limiting factor. You can have the bowls hogged, install CJ valves and polish the exhaust port. This will help a lot.
You can run a bigger cam but you will need to upgrade the rocker shafts and stands or buy end stands.
TRW L2291F Pistons
Stock rods with ARP bolts
ARP main bolts
Crane 343941 cam
Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
750 carb
Headers
The heads are going to be the limiting factor. You can have the bowls hogged, install CJ valves and polish the exhaust port. This will help a lot.
You can run a bigger cam but you will need to upgrade the rocker shafts and stands or buy end stands.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
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Post Fiend
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Originally posted by Ratsmoker
Wow Rusty. We posted almost the same thing at the same time! Crazy.
Wow Rusty. We posted almost the same thing at the same time! Crazy.
My machinist went over it one night (couldn't keep himself from touching it before I got there the next morning), and computed something like 10.9:1 with head mill and block decked to 0.
With the whacko cam I have, he degreed it so that I could run that high compression and still have low-end, and I gotta say he got it perfect for a 5400lbs highboy. Any pinging was spark-timing related and I was able to control it with 93 octane gas.
Anyway, where do you get the 10:1 figure? Did you really measure it or what?
I used the flat-top TRW forged pistons with valve-reliefs.
Thread Starter
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FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
LOL!!! OK Guys!!! Good info!!! And RAT!! you should collabirate with some of the other Guru's and come up with a HP Budget Build????? IMO...
I think I still have the 406 heads? And the 390 heads... 390 +.030 block...750 holley Dual feed..elec.choke....
And this one I cant believe 32 year old full lenght heddmans
into 2 1/2 " pipes... with crossover tube...
But I think its only 8.7 or 9.0 to pistons? I really dont know?
which pair of heads should be massaged? 406 I think? LOL
With what I gave to start with.. with the project Motor to get
400HP out of it between 375HP and 400HP...
What else should I buy and a list please... My memory at 50 aint what it use to be!!
PS..I have about $2000 to spend? maybe a little more?
Thanks all for your opions and input!!! Russ!!
I think I still have the 406 heads? And the 390 heads... 390 +.030 block...750 holley Dual feed..elec.choke....
And this one I cant believe 32 year old full lenght heddmans
into 2 1/2 " pipes... with crossover tube...
But I think its only 8.7 or 9.0 to pistons? I really dont know?
which pair of heads should be massaged? 406 I think? LOL
With what I gave to start with.. with the project Motor to get
400HP out of it between 375HP and 400HP...
What else should I buy and a list please... My memory at 50 aint what it use to be!!
PS..I have about $2000 to spend? maybe a little more?
Thanks all for your opions and input!!! Russ!!
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Originally posted by Ratsmoker
The TRW flat tops have a -9.2cc deduction for the valve reliefs. 67 cc heads will only make about 10:1 compression.
The TRW flat tops have a -9.2cc deduction for the valve reliefs. 67 cc heads will only make about 10:1 compression.
67cc head (C8AE?), 10cc head gasket (felpro) and 9.7 cc valve reliefs make 86.7cc
390 standard bore: 799cc per cylinder
390 @ .030" over: 811cc per cylinder.
Total volume at BDC:
390: 885.7cc/86.7cc = 10.2:1
390@+.030: 897.7cc/86.7cc = 10.35:1
So, without shaving the heads, I'm at 10.35, and they were shaved a bit - they were first cleaned up and squared, and then something like .030-.040" was taken off, so figuring standard bore and .030" off, that was 6.33cc, but more like 5 because the head chamber is not round...
gives: 10.987:1 - it may be less than that, given the head shaving may not have taken off 5cc, but my machinist physically measured, and it was "just under 11:1".
Block was decked to the top of the pistons.
Comments?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
Hey there,
My truck weighs around 6800 lbs, just pulled a snow covered 72 highboy and trailer weighing just under 17,000 lbs over the snoqualmie pass. 4' of snow on top a truck makes it wiegh a bit more (8000 lb warn winch on trailer with ****** block barely pulled the snow covered truck on). That puts combined weight around 24,000+ lbs! I'm running 435 4 speed, 4.10 gears and 35" bfg's. I put it to the floorboard for a good 15 miles with no pinging whatsoever on 87 octane and holding rock solid at 2200 RPM and 55 mph. I could pull it right up to 70 in 3rd gear if I wanted, but felt better just lugging the motor. I also averaged 11.2 mpg in the 240 miles I trailered the truck. All in all, I'm very happy with my pretty much stock 390. Just d2 heads, performer intake, 901 cam, 9.5 hyper pistons, balanced and blueprinted, DUI, edel. 600. Oh yeah, I found 2 complete fe motors and 4 speeds in the bed of the truck I was towing once the snow melted off.
My truck weighs around 6800 lbs, just pulled a snow covered 72 highboy and trailer weighing just under 17,000 lbs over the snoqualmie pass. 4' of snow on top a truck makes it wiegh a bit more (8000 lb warn winch on trailer with ****** block barely pulled the snow covered truck on). That puts combined weight around 24,000+ lbs! I'm running 435 4 speed, 4.10 gears and 35" bfg's. I put it to the floorboard for a good 15 miles with no pinging whatsoever on 87 octane and holding rock solid at 2200 RPM and 55 mph. I could pull it right up to 70 in 3rd gear if I wanted, but felt better just lugging the motor. I also averaged 11.2 mpg in the 240 miles I trailered the truck. All in all, I'm very happy with my pretty much stock 390. Just d2 heads, performer intake, 901 cam, 9.5 hyper pistons, balanced and blueprinted, DUI, edel. 600. Oh yeah, I found 2 complete fe motors and 4 speeds in the bed of the truck I was towing once the snow melted off.
Thread Starter
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FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Fordman!! I'd like to see your break down on your 375 HP build!!
I'll take and do some more research in the meantime??
Thanks!!!Russ
It sounds like Im going to have to change pistons tho?
Oh well !! thanks Guys!!!!!
I'll take and do some more research in the meantime??
Thanks!!!Russ
It sounds like Im going to have to change pistons tho?
Oh well !! thanks Guys!!!!!