Anyone with a 360
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
Anyone with a 360
Aaron, think of the 360 as a sleeping giant. If you still think it is too sleepy after getting everything in tune, we can offer suggestions to help you wake it up. But getting the tune up right should come before buying any go-fast goodies. DF
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 466
Likes: 10
From: Albuquerque, NM
Anyone with a 360
The two most powerfull engines that I have ever driven were the Chevy 396 and the Ford 360. The 360 was in a '68 short bed and would SMOKE the tires. That truck had more power than we needed. In my opinion YES the 360 has *****!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Stratton
Anyone with a 360
I have a rebuilt 360 in my 1971 1 ton dump. I was really disapointed when I picked up the truck after the junk yard dogs installed the engine. When I got home I timed it and it woke up. I have since done the vacuum tune suggested on this forum and it is even better. With the weight and rubber I have on the road I will be smoking anyhting but tires , however running around the hills of Vermont this motor is fine. Try the vacuum tuning for sure.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
Anyone with a 360
I'd start with a full compression check, you should be in the 150 range. Then check for vac leaks at the intake and carb base and hook up a vac guage, it should be about 17~20. Then I'd do a Pertronix ele ign conversion for $59 and dump the points and finish it off with a full tune up. Check the condition of the carb, maybe its time for a rebuilt carb.
I have a 360 in my other truck, 68 F100 long bed and it'll smoke the stock tires without a problem.
After that, I'd consider headers because the FE exhaust really sucks and headers will wake the 360 up quite a bit and can be had for as low as $100.
Although the 360 is often overlooked as a perfromance FE, it holds it's own nicely.
I have a 360 in my other truck, 68 F100 long bed and it'll smoke the stock tires without a problem.
After that, I'd consider headers because the FE exhaust really sucks and headers will wake the 360 up quite a bit and can be had for as low as $100.
Although the 360 is often overlooked as a perfromance FE, it holds it's own nicely.
