390 Head work
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390 Head work
Just bought a 1974 F-250 ; the 390 in it needs some head work. One cylinder is dead ; the others have aroung 100 psi each. Before I take the heads off, I would like to know: What is a good brand of head gasket?
Should I buy the gaskets as a "head set", and what does that include?
What is an avg, price for a pair of stock re-built heads?
What is a good aluminum intake manifold for the 390.
The truck that I bought was used to tow a race car; I fugure that the bottom end of the engine is OK because the oil pressure hits about 60 psi when it is at about 45 mph.
PJX390
Should I buy the gaskets as a "head set", and what does that include?
What is an avg, price for a pair of stock re-built heads?
What is a good aluminum intake manifold for the 390.
The truck that I bought was used to tow a race car; I fugure that the bottom end of the engine is OK because the oil pressure hits about 60 psi when it is at about 45 mph.
PJX390
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From: Iowa
Fel-Pro Permatorque head gaskets work good. You can increase the compression ratio by using .020" thick copper shim head gaskets. This would be a good thing to do, since the truck 390's had low compression.
"Head Set" probably includes intake, exhaust and valve cover gaskets. Ask them at the store where you're getting them to make sure.
The heads are probably fine, just get 'em rebuilt at a reputable machine shop. Have 'em magnafluxed to check for cracks too. Mine were done and out the door for around $200, but I had to have hardened exhaust valve seats put in. Your heads are late enough that they already have 'em.
The Edelbrock Performer intake works great and weighs a lot less than the stock intake. If you get the Performer RPM you'll have to port the intake ports of you heads since the port is bigger on the intake than the head. I did this on my 360 and it works great, so dont let that scare you away from getting the bigger manifold. Plus, you'll have headroom if you decide to build up this 390 in the future.
"Head Set" probably includes intake, exhaust and valve cover gaskets. Ask them at the store where you're getting them to make sure.
The heads are probably fine, just get 'em rebuilt at a reputable machine shop. Have 'em magnafluxed to check for cracks too. Mine were done and out the door for around $200, but I had to have hardened exhaust valve seats put in. Your heads are late enough that they already have 'em.
The Edelbrock Performer intake works great and weighs a lot less than the stock intake. If you get the Performer RPM you'll have to port the intake ports of you heads since the port is bigger on the intake than the head. I did this on my 360 and it works great, so dont let that scare you away from getting the bigger manifold. Plus, you'll have headroom if you decide to build up this 390 in the future.
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390 Head Work
Rusty,
Thanks for the info. I know of a shop in St. Augustine ; I used them to re-build a Nissan 16i head that I had(I am embarrasssed to admit this). And I already thought of using a thinner gasket to raise compression. I am thinking about going to Summit or PAW for the copper gasket and the intake gasket.
I looked at a Weiland alminum intake at the Discount Auto web-site, but the $400.00 price tag put me off. I was reading the repair manual for the truck and it says to use a hoist to get the cast iron intake off. I figure that it weighs about 100 lbs. So, I will use the carb plate and the engine hoist that I have. I think that each head weighs, in the neighborhood of 50 lbs, so I am going to put bolts in the ends of the head like it says in the manual to lift them off the engine.
PJX390
Thanks for the info. I know of a shop in St. Augustine ; I used them to re-build a Nissan 16i head that I had(I am embarrasssed to admit this). And I already thought of using a thinner gasket to raise compression. I am thinking about going to Summit or PAW for the copper gasket and the intake gasket.
I looked at a Weiland alminum intake at the Discount Auto web-site, but the $400.00 price tag put me off. I was reading the repair manual for the truck and it says to use a hoist to get the cast iron intake off. I figure that it weighs about 100 lbs. So, I will use the carb plate and the engine hoist that I have. I think that each head weighs, in the neighborhood of 50 lbs, so I am going to put bolts in the ends of the head like it says in the manual to lift them off the engine.
PJX390
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The heads are light and easy to handle compared to the intake. It is about 75 pounds of dead weight that is hard to grip and harder to reposition. I took the intake off by climbing into the engine bay and straddling the engine. Very tight quarters. When putting it back on, I pulled the hood and had someone help position it accurately and get the bypass hose in place before setting it down very carefully. So far no problems.
Next truck is getting the RPM, should be a breeze.
Chris
Next truck is getting the RPM, should be a breeze.
Chris
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When I took my stock intake off, I just stood in front of the truck and grabbed it through the carb hole. Then it's just like curling 40lbs per arm at the same time. A little awkward, but no big deal. 
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390 Head Work
I got the right (Passenger side) head off; the good news is that the intake valve is at least 2 " across, exhaust looks abou t1.6. I think that the keepers might be titanium (they are a gold color) The bad news is that I am having trouble getting the header off the right (Driver's ) side. Was wondering , who sells head/intake gaskets for the FE? I have been checking the sites and only find parts for the 302/351, 429/460; no FE parts?
PJX390
PJX390
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390 Head Work
Thanks for the tips, especially about Mr. Gasket. The truck that I bought was used to tow a race car. I think that most of the modifications that you guys suggested were done. It already has 2.1/ 1.6 valves in the head. I am not sure if the heads were ported or milled to raise the compression, so I am going to go with the regular head haskets. Does anybody know about the titaniun keepers?
PJX390
PJX390
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390 Head Work
Oh, another thing, did the truck 390's come with dual valve springs? The heads that I have do but the inner spring is unlike any that I have seen before. It is not round, like the outer spring but flat. Is that normal?
