Just got done breaking in the cam. I can tell it's going to need tweaks on the fuel injection, as it currently wont idle. But it's coming along. Just to keep everyone updated.

Here's the specifics:

~10:1 compression (possibly a hair less due to chamber polishing)
Ported C7AE-A heads, polished chambers
Hedman headers, dual exhaust
Crane 343941 cam, crane springs, adjustable rockers
TRW L2291F30 pistons (yes the 30 means .030" oversize bore)
390 crank (duh)
Edelbrock Performer RPM intake
Holley Commander 950 TBI fuel injection, 700cfm

DD2k shows it should be good for 389hp @ 5500rpm, and 441ft-lbs @ 3500rpm.

 

Congrats man! Keep us updated on the fine tuning...

--Mike

 

Good Job!

Good luck on the EFI. Never looked too hard at one of those. Do they give you parameters to get you in the ballpark? It starts, so it must be close.

 

Yeah, they give you base maps. I used the one for a stock Chevy 350, since they gave no FE maps. The only Ford maps that I saw were 302 and 347 maps, and since I was running a 360 at the time I figured a Chevy 350 map was close enough. I used that as the basis to tune it to run with the 360.

Now, I've put in the 390, but I'm still running it on the 360 map. Obviously it is going to need to be changed, but it's a lot closer than anything Holley gave me.

 

No doubt it's wanting a bit more fuel......

What's with the "No FE maps".....
Come on, don't they realize that there ARE some of us idiots STILL running them...

 

Yeah, it really is disgusting. If you look at their site, you'll find that Holley hasn't released new maps since August 2002.

C'mon Holley, Ford guys run this stuff too! Let's have some maps!

 

How many engines have you built before?

 

One. This is my first. I had plans to rebuild the 2.9L V6 in my old Bronco 2, but after taking it apart I found the crank and block were shot, so it got hauled to the junkyard.

 

Rusty...good work. keep us updated. You are our EFI FE pioneer!

im still wishing I'd have sprung for the TBI....I bet it would have helped at the gas pump...this thing is killing me..

 

The FE's are made for mileage, just POWER. But it still hurts awful bad paying over $40 to fill this thing.

 

hey 352 did you mean arent?

way to go rusty, hope you get everything tuned in right. congrats.

 

I put $30 every third day in my '67
Just a couple years ago it was $15 a week.

Funny, I don't remember getting a "cost of living" raise to help afford this

Can't even afford diesel for the Mack either(heck it's .30 MORE than gas!)

Got to LUV IT!

 

Ok, I'll let you guys in on a little secret. I keep a '92 explorer around for mileage, for putting around town when I want to be "Mr. Respectable". The truck is more for if I need to haul something, or haul butt.

 

HEY that isnt fair
I am STILL playing with my 2300 holley to get some mileage ( I am getting closer )
I need to find a car with a 4 banger in it !

 

Update.

I took it out and drove it today. Couple issues, which I'll get to.

First, I set the timing. I had it over advanced when I broke in the cam, but no harm done. Then I changed out the break-in oil, nice new Napa 1773 oil filter and Mystik 10w30.

Then I took it out to drive it. I only took it about 2 miles, just down the road and back. I only got about 1/3 the way into the throttle. Well, maybe 1/2. Even there it has about as much kick as the old 360 had. And that's before I tuned the fuel injection. I can tell it's got a LOT left in it. It did idle, with the timing set. However, the vacuum was low, since I was running the vacuum advance off the timed vacuum port. I think it'll idle better when I run it off straight manifold vacuum.

Then I got back, I was feeling proud of myself. Go into the garage, and what do I find? The fan shroud. $#!7 Oh well, I'll put it on first time I change coolant.

Next issue is that I noticed a slight valvetrain tick. This is understandable, since one of the rocker adjustment screws was looser than the others when I put it together. Now I know, I should have replaced it. Let this be a lesson, Locktite does NOTHING on a rocker adjustment screw. The new adjustable rocker is on order at Napa. For $14, I might as well get the whole rocker.

Next issue was I noticed a small coolant leak out of the heater core. I dont know what changing the engine would have had to do with that, but it's getting that Bars stop leak aluminum seal stuff right now. I dont want to deal with it now.

Just more stuff to deal with, fortunately nothing major.

Edit: I forgot the good news! It didn't ping AT ALL. I was surprised by this, since I'm running close to 10:1, with the flimsy mechanical advance springs, at 10* BTDC initial, with 89 octane. Long live the 390!