Guys -

I know that this topic has been hit before, and I've been through the threads to get some ideas. I'm acquiring a '74 F250 from a family member - 360 2v, NP435 4spd, NP205, D44HD front/D60 rear with 4.10's. It is an all original California truck.

Getting ready to do a frame-off restoration, motor included, after that it is going to be used for work & play - maybe 32' tires, light offroading, occasional heavy towing, hauling lumber, etc. Goals are driveability, reliability, good torque and decent mileage. I don't care about HP numbers, or whether I can beat the jerk in the next lane and his new "Hemi" off the line. I might throw in a GearVendors OD unit.

Here's what I've gathered so far as the concensus on how to build these motors -

1.) headers & true duals or a big single pipe
2.) Pertronix or MSD ignition to replace the points
3.) Crane 901 or similar cam
4.) 4v Holley carb in the 600 cfm range on Edelbrock or stock intake

Will the cam and 4v carb be overkill for my app? Would a stock type 2v be fine? Howell or Holley fuel injection? I'd like to keep the motor relatively simple but I don't want to scrimp on reliability or fail to complete upgrades that will really help me hit my goals (torque and mileage). What sort of internal mods? Head work? Oiling mods? I've seen lots of posts that suggest I'd be nuts not to swap the crank & rods and make it a 390 - is this true?

Lots of questions, but I appreciate the help. This will be my first time building a motor, and I'm trying to get an idea of how my build is going to go and what my budget will be.

 

no it wont be overkill i am workin on the same engine and have been told anyhere from that to a 750cfm... judging from what they're tellin me and what you say the 600 should be right where you need
and yes about the 390 upgrade.. only reason im not doin the upgrade is because mine is goin into a mustang and noone i have or anyone i talked to here or otherwise has seen a 360 in a mustang

 

RaKent, by all means, do it as a 390. You'll have to purchase a 390 crank and rods, but any year will do fine. The block and heads you can use what you already have. Choose your pistons carefully, many shops use the wrong ones. It sounds like the factory manifold and 2 barrel are just fine for your intended useage. If you buy that GV unit, hang it off from the back of the tranny and not the T-case. You'll have so shorten the diveshaft between the trans and t-case, but if you hang it off from the t-case, you have to shorten the rear srive shaft. Hanging the GV between the trans and T-case will let you split gears and have overdrive in 4wd as well as in 2wd. DF