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Apr 29, 2002 | 09:53 AM

DutchmanAZ

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 328

Likes: 4

390 Swap

I'm having a

of a time putting in my new 390. I have a '76 F150 4x4 that I pulled a very tired 360 out of. I'm sorry for the length of the post, but I could really use the help.

As far as I know, the only thing different was supposed to be the crank and the rods, but I've ran into a few more goodies.

1. The housing that the oil filter screws on won't work on the new block---different pattern and larger than my old housing. I checked the old block and there wasn't any adapter plate screwed on that.
Is there a difference among blocks (different years, etc)?

2. The pilot bearing that came with my new clutch kit wouldn't fit.
My old motor had a brass bushing, and the new actually looks like a bearing, but was too large to go into the end of the crank.
I bought a new (brass) bushing that did fit, and installed it.

3. The (390) clutch would not bolt up to the flywheel--different pattern. I bought a 360 clutch and that mated up fine. Is this okay to do?

4. lastly, I'm about a 1/2 inch away when trying to mate the motor to transmission. I have the bellhousing on the motor, and am thinking about taking it off and bolting the bellhousing onto the trans to see if that helps. Any suggestions?
Thanks again,
DutchmanAZ

Apr 29, 2002 | 02:31 PM

luv70sfords

Junior User

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 88

Likes: 2

From: Vegas

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>
>3. The (390) clutch would not bolt up to the
>flywheel--different pattern. I bought a 360 clutch and that
>mated up fine. Is this okay to do?

Sure, its just not gonna hold as well as a 390 clutch. You can get a 390 flywheel, and get a 400 diaphragm style clutch. It fits the 390 flywheel, and has far fewer chatter probs than the old finger style pressure plate you have now.

>4. lastly, I'm about a 1/2 inch away when trying to mate
>the motor to transmission. I have the bellhousing on the
>motor, and am thinking about taking it off and bolting the
>bellhousing onto the trans to see if that helps. Any
>suggestions?
>Thanks again,
>DutchmanAZ
Your not getting into the pilot with the input shaft. Did you use a pilot tool to align everything? If not pull it apart and use the pilot, and make sure it is actually centered, pilot tools are not fool proof, still have to eyeball the sides of the clutch to make sure its all in proper.

Apr 29, 2002 | 05:15 PM

DutchmanAZ

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 328

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Yeah, I used an alignment tool, but I'll double check it tonight.
I'm hoping like heck I got the right pilot bushing...I didn't think to check it for fit on the tranny before installing it, although the alignment tool and the tranny shaft look awfully close in size.

Thanks

Apr 29, 2002 | 09:20 PM

thitdog

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 107

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From: Maryville

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I know it is not exactly the same, but I just replaced the clutch in my 66 Fairlane with a 390 and it took a little fanagaling to get the shaft all the way in. Nothing like laying on your back with a toploader settin on your chest. Gotta love it. Keep working it and it will go.

Lee

Apr 30, 2002 | 09:10 AM

DutchmanAZ

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 328

Likes: 4

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I fought with it for 2 more hours last night and still am having a

of a time....hopefully tonight it will be better.
Question: I can see the tranny shaft is hitting a little low on the
pilot bushing; On a (part time,manual)4 wheel drive with a divorced transfer case, would it be okay to undo the tranny mounts to allow me to jack up the tranny a little further? Or would that just add to my problems...I'd hate to have the xfer case and everything else fall out.

Thanks for all the input.

May 1, 2002 | 12:17 PM

proford460

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Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 229

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From: Comstock

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May 1, 2002 | 03:26 PM

michaelj

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Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 8

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If it is only a 1/2" out, just put the bellhousing bolts in and cinch it in. The tit on the tranny shaft is a tight fit and sometimes it just needs to be pulled in. The problem you might have is the length of the bellhousing bolts, but you should be ok with just a 1/2 inch out. Good luck -