Engine choice ..390 ?
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Engine choice ..390 ?
Hi guys I am 15 years old and just got my first truck. It is a 1975 Regular cab. I was thinkibg about putting a 390 and puting performance parts on it. Can any one help me about making a motor choice and some parts to get more power out of it. I want this truck to rip but run of pump gas. and i would also like so ideas for a good exhaust system.
Thanks for taking the time to help me out
1975Ford_Guy
Thanks for taking the time to help me out
1975Ford_Guy
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Ah...More information !
Thanks,
With all the correct hardware you could put any Ford engine there you wish.
It depends how much money,time,energy,experience you have.
The 360 & 390 were most popular.
Thanks,
With all the correct hardware you could put any Ford engine there you wish.
It depends how much money,time,energy,experience you have.
The 360 & 390 were most popular.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 535
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From: Tucson, AZ
If it runs good I would beef up the 289, it won't be too hard to make 350hp+ on pump gas with it. Get good carb, intake, cam, headers and have the heads ported and polished and you'll probably be around 400hp if you skip the head work probably around 350hp. If you haul or tow anything you'll probably need lower gears in the rear though.
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Brett Foote
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Gainesville, FL
All,
$ verses HP, you should go for displacement. 460 would be a great place to start. If you get a 390, put a 428 crank and rods in it. The truck is heavy. You will have to have the displacement to make it fast. I have built three 302s for my 76 F100. I should have just started with a big block.
Consider it,
KingFisher
$ verses HP, you should go for displacement. 460 would be a great place to start. If you get a 390, put a 428 crank and rods in it. The truck is heavy. You will have to have the displacement to make it fast. I have built three 302s for my 76 F100. I should have just started with a big block.
Consider it,
KingFisher
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Maine
75 Ford guy-- I have a 1976 f-250 4x4 with an almost stock 390 FE and it RIPPS!! only mods are a r.v. cam, edelbrock 4bbl intake and a holley truck avenger carb. the 390 is an excellent choice, lots of torque. fuel milage with 4.10 gears is around 10-11 mpg.
you can spend a bundle on a motor. I know cause iv'e done it! the 390 is a good choice plenty of out of the box power with room to grow when the money is there. you will soon find that your money isn't going where you would like it to. It will be needed for the necessities. enjoy your beast- I know I love mine. -- Greg
you can spend a bundle on a motor. I know cause iv'e done it! the 390 is a good choice plenty of out of the box power with room to grow when the money is there. you will soon find that your money isn't going where you would like it to. It will be needed for the necessities. enjoy your beast- I know I love mine. -- Greg
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From: Spokane WA
here's my 2cents...keep the 289 for now. if it runs fine, the body work probably needs done if its a truck that some guy put a 289 in (but i could easily be wrong) you're 15, so drivin isnt an issue yet...get it up to a mint body, put a stereo in if you're into that, and learn how to drive well on a vehicle with normal amounts of power. then swap it up.
I put a remanufactured 390 in mine in february, and that's the way id do it again. gas is decent for what it is, torque is incredible. i have 3.50's in my axles and 35" rubbers, and it still takes off and cruises at low rpms at 65.
500 horses?! for a teenage daily driver, dont do it, if you even could. you will end up breaking every drivetrain component. also, im 17, so i recently went through what youre goin through. i already got a ticket awhile back, and its not worth it. put a 390 in with the right gears and you could already smoke about any ricer boy in you're area. peace
I put a remanufactured 390 in mine in february, and that's the way id do it again. gas is decent for what it is, torque is incredible. i have 3.50's in my axles and 35" rubbers, and it still takes off and cruises at low rpms at 65.
500 horses?! for a teenage daily driver, dont do it, if you even could. you will end up breaking every drivetrain component. also, im 17, so i recently went through what youre goin through. i already got a ticket awhile back, and its not worth it. put a 390 in with the right gears and you could already smoke about any ricer boy in you're area. peace
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thanks. i really want to smoke the tires and that stuff im not looking to just beef it right up yet i meant like a couple bolt ons here and there but gradually get there cuz its not the lightest truck. i know that i should have it powerful but good on gas. but i have a 1991 escort thats good on gas so i want sumthin that i can feel power in.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Albuquerque
My '76 F150 4x4 390FE has more than enough hp and torque. I never push hard on the gas pedal...just don't have to! I've made several modes along the way...it is very reliable and does good on gas too.
390FE modified with:
a.) Edelbrock performance package; [cam, lifters, valve springs, intake, 600 cfm carb, timing chain, and alum water pump]
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/index.html
b.) Griffin alum radiator with Flex-a-lite dual electric fans.
http://www.griffinrad.com/
http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/index.html
c.) Jacobs electronic ignition
http://www.jacobselectronics.com/pro...energypaks.htm
Whatever you choose...have fun with it! Also for more detailed info on the FE family...go to that forum. Those guys have a lot of great info to share!
390FE modified with:
a.) Edelbrock performance package; [cam, lifters, valve springs, intake, 600 cfm carb, timing chain, and alum water pump]
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/index.html
b.) Griffin alum radiator with Flex-a-lite dual electric fans.
http://www.griffinrad.com/
http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/index.html
c.) Jacobs electronic ignition
http://www.jacobselectronics.com/pro...energypaks.htm
Whatever you choose...have fun with it! Also for more detailed info on the FE family...go to that forum. Those guys have a lot of great info to share!