Hi, using my better halfs ID on here. We have a 360 which has absolutely no HP. It has headers, but a 2bbl carb on it and literally the HP has to be about equal to a minibike with a poor running briggs. Okay, just kidding but with a nearly empty 10' Wells Cargo trailer, you aren't going to go anywhere fast and I heard someone talking about chirping the tires - not on this and it only has 11.50 tires on it (yes it's a 4X4)...

What I'd like to know is where to go with this engine to get some reasonable increases and are my ideas on this sound.

I assume that if I get a manifold and small 4bbl such as a 600cfm with vacuum secondaries - that the mileage won't be affected too much and might even increase as long as I stay out of the secondaries -but- it will have noticably more HP.

Also, the next thing I wantd to find out about is getting the timing set properly and/or anything else that might be ailing this truck. It's approx a 73 360 engine.

Next I figured down the road, that maybe a 390 crankshaft could be put into it as the heads/carb/intake will all be the same - am I correct in thinking this and doesn't the 360/390 use the same pistons just diff stroke?

Thanks and do you think thats the best way to go - a good tune up, 4bbl with vac secondaries then down the road consider the crank swap?

Mike

 

Mike&ShelbyLynn, your thinking on the manifold and carb are correct. Thats the best way to go for a start. What is the problem with timing the engine ? Give it as much lead as it will tolerate on regular and not rattle when pulling your trailer. The 390 crank is a very good idea (you need the rods too, they are differant) but the pistons you may want 390 pieces as well. The 360 flattops will give something like 10 to 1 in a 390. Using 390 car pistons will give 9 or 9 1/2 to 1 and 390 truck pistons about 8 to 1. DF

 

Mike the 2 barrel will burn all the gas that you can throw at it. It sounds like a tune up could help. You might want to think about a Pertronix ign set in the dist. to replace the points. A 360 aint no 390 but should pull a 10 box trailer ok.

I have a 352 in one of my trucks with Edelbrock cam, intake and 600 carb., Hooker headers, and am rebuilding the 390 in the other one. The 2 barrel and the stock manifold is going back on. None of that HP crap for an engine that doesn't turn over 4500 rpms ever, and operates in the 22-2600 range max. Just to let you know what I think of that high dollar stuff. We are doing a few little nicites on the heads for better flowing. I gaurantee if it runs afterward, like it did before, it will drag the wheels off your trailer.
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Install a 390 crank thats how you'll feel.
better yet, install a 428 crank,:-staun that's how the cops will feel.
Nastruck
69 f100 ranger/360/holley 4brl/flow tech headers