Best engine pick
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 2
From: okc
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
THe 460 unless it's a 69-71 would be a dog on fuel.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ford390gashog
no i think you forgot about the new law 1976 and newer vehicles will never be exempt because of the bill the governer signed.it really sucks so does california laws and taxes
here it is from the dmv website
Not all vehicles must get a Smog Check. Additionally, some vehicles only need a Smog Check when they are being sold or being registered in California after previously being registered in another state. Whether or not a vehicle needs a Smog Check depends on the type of vehicle, the model-year, and the area in which the vehicle is registered.
Some vehicles are exempt from the Smog Check program
Legislation enacted during 2004 made several changes in motor vehicle Smog Check exemptions that will become effective next year. Following is a summary of the revised exemptions and the effective date of each change:
Beginning January 1, 2005, vehicles 6 or less model-years old will be exempt from the biennial Smog Check inspection requirement. For vehicles with registration renewals due in the 2005 calendar year, this exemption includes model-years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Beginning January 1, 2005, vehicles 4 or less model-years old will be exempt from the Smog Check inspection requirement upon change of ownership and transfer of title transactions with DMV. In 2005, this exemption includes model-years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Beginning April 1, 2005, the 30-year rolling exemption will be repealed. Instead, vehicles 1975 model-year and older will be exempt. Therefore, 1976 model-year and newer vehicles will continue to be subject to biennial inspection indefinitely.
Beginning April 1, 2005, vehicles being initially registered in California that were previously registered in another state will be exempt if the vehicle is a 1975 and older model-year vehicle. Newer vehicles, the first 6 model years, are not exempted upon initial registration in California. These vehicles are required to undergo a Smog Check Inspection
here it is from the dmv website
Not all vehicles must get a Smog Check. Additionally, some vehicles only need a Smog Check when they are being sold or being registered in California after previously being registered in another state. Whether or not a vehicle needs a Smog Check depends on the type of vehicle, the model-year, and the area in which the vehicle is registered.
Some vehicles are exempt from the Smog Check program
Legislation enacted during 2004 made several changes in motor vehicle Smog Check exemptions that will become effective next year. Following is a summary of the revised exemptions and the effective date of each change:
Beginning January 1, 2005, vehicles 6 or less model-years old will be exempt from the biennial Smog Check inspection requirement. For vehicles with registration renewals due in the 2005 calendar year, this exemption includes model-years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Beginning January 1, 2005, vehicles 4 or less model-years old will be exempt from the Smog Check inspection requirement upon change of ownership and transfer of title transactions with DMV. In 2005, this exemption includes model-years 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Beginning April 1, 2005, the 30-year rolling exemption will be repealed. Instead, vehicles 1975 model-year and older will be exempt. Therefore, 1976 model-year and newer vehicles will continue to be subject to biennial inspection indefinitely.
Beginning April 1, 2005, vehicles being initially registered in California that were previously registered in another state will be exempt if the vehicle is a 1975 and older model-year vehicle. Newer vehicles, the first 6 model years, are not exempted upon initial registration in California. These vehicles are required to undergo a Smog Check Inspection
this really sucks! I guess I'm stuck with the stock form of my engine, and bi-annual inspections.really though thanks for reminding me how great my states govenment is.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 867
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Pa
If your getting a pre 76 truck you are probably best off staying with the type engine that was in it, ie. an FE. That way you don't have to mess with any conversion stuff. Otherwise the 400 when built right is a torque monster.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: knoxville
i have a 300 i6 in a 79 truck witha 3 on tree. it works just fine for a daily driver and strret/strip racer. it came with a 302 originally, but if i had the money to pick, id go with a 390 . the 390 has the high hp if built right along with the torque for street/strip use.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: knoxville
hey ive got a 1979 f100 with a 300 I6 and i get 14-16 in town and 16-20 on the highway. no exxageration. ita all stock except for a new electronic choke carb. its a 3 on tree and it'll scooot just like a new one.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: in the double wide
Originally Posted by jpb222
I'd find the truck with the nicest body/frame/interior/paint and upgrade the engine later if you need to/want to. Engine swaps are easier and cheaper than bodywork
Dan
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: So. California
My Friend retired military; has a F-100 with a 360 Edlebrock automatic 6" lift in the front and 4" in the back he gets 5 miles per gallon whether he drives fast or slow, this thing will outrun rice rockets he says.
My friend's '95 F-350 4x4 auto 460 crew cab 8' bed stock has out run Honda civics, I remember when we raced one with 4 cuys 700 lbs total of passenger weight in his truck, the civic had exhaust and I do not know what else.
I wonder if it is worth it milling the head on a 360, I wonder what a 360 can do with 10:1 comp .500" lift 210 D @ .50 and 110 lobe seperation angle.
I noticed at Edlebrock website the 390 out torques the 400 I wonder which has more potential
My friend's '95 F-350 4x4 auto 460 crew cab 8' bed stock has out run Honda civics, I remember when we raced one with 4 cuys 700 lbs total of passenger weight in his truck, the civic had exhaust and I do not know what else.
I wonder if it is worth it milling the head on a 360, I wonder what a 360 can do with 10:1 comp .500" lift 210 D @ .50 and 110 lobe seperation angle.
I noticed at Edlebrock website the 390 out torques the 400 I wonder which has more potential
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
My '74 F-100 four wheel drive came with a 390 4V, dual exhaust, manual transmission, 3.55 R&P, 31" tires.
Work or play, city or highway, it averaged 10 to 12 MPG. Anything less and it was time for a tune-up.
Never been dissapointed in the FE.
Mike
Work or play, city or highway, it averaged 10 to 12 MPG. Anything less and it was time for a tune-up.
Never been dissapointed in the FE.
Mike
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Sierra Mountains
I have a 1976 supercab 2wd with a built 390, holley 650vac secondaries,k&n,edelbrock performer intake, flowmaster dual 2.5 exaust and stock duraspark ignition. It gets 12 mpg and hauls butt.I love the FE so good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Visalia, CA
Im runnin a 390 with early GT heads and a 750 holley on top of a Edelbrock performer manifold. I have to burn 91 octane and disconnect the vacuum advance if I'm going to nail the pedal. This truck weights in at 5800 lbs. the rear end is a D60 3.54 with 33x12.50x16.5s It will tow anything. On a good day cruzin at 65 on flat ground with no load it will get 11mpg. The 750 holley is a little to big. I had a friends 600 cfm Holley on it and it had more touque. Ive got the same problem with the CA smog rule and was hoping to register the truck in CA this year. My future plans are to pull the 390 and install it in my 50 ford coupe and build a twin turbo propane powered 460 for the truck. I also have a 64 f-100 that I'm building with a 71 460 with a 2.74 rear and C-6. Hope to get 15mpg with that one.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Hartland, MI
I have 400 bored .030, Comp 268 Cam, Holley 750 Double Pumper, headers, 2.5 dual exhaust w/Flowmasters, Edelbrock Performer Int and I love it. More than enough power to tow my other Ford truck on a trailer through the mountians and it doesn't ping even on 87 octane because I left the compression ratio at 8:1.
