Another 390 Question
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: carleton, MI
Another 390 Question
How's the wheel'in. My question is were do I get a new 390fe v-8 for my sons 75 f100??? Should I take the chance and rebuild the origanal (blew 2 freeze plugs, no carb, 4 barrel manifold, and never heard it run), or buy a long block, and purchase a manifold, carb and header. Or, buy a turn key crate motor. I 'm looking to spend about 2500 total, that is what i've priced most of the above will cost anyway....Unless someone has one??? Truck stats: 75 f100 long box, 4x4 (of course), fresh c6 (modified) tranny, np205 transfercase (converted).
Maybe a good machine shop number or a motor shop in michigan??
Maybe a good machine shop number or a motor shop in michigan??
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
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I think it depends on how much time you have to invest and how much you like working on these things. I've never purchased a rebuilt engine before. You'll never get an FE crate engine for $2500. I do believe you can fit your budget buying rebuilt or doing it yourself but you'll have to be careful to do it. As I'm in Texas I can't help you with a machine shop in Michigan.
Good Luck!
Tracy
Good Luck!
Tracy
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
What would I do? Find a 360 in a junkyard (or a 390 if they can prove it). Hopefully running. Never been rebuilt or otherwise touched before. Doesn't matter if it smokes, knocks, whatever. get it CHEAP. A 360 block is the same as a 390, the crank/rods/pistons need to be swapped but they can be had pretty cheap. Major crankshaft grinders should always have some 390 cranks in stock and all you have to do is pay the core charge (or swap for the 360 crank).
Bring it to a well-known machine shop and have it rebuilt. Get a warranty on it. If you have any problems with it, you can bring it back to that local shop and get it worked on under warranty.
If you want a 4bbl, get a stock intake manifold, and have the machinist install it on the motor before you pick it up (or have them install the entire motor).
Bring it to a well-known machine shop and have it rebuilt. Get a warranty on it. If you have any problems with it, you can bring it back to that local shop and get it worked on under warranty.
If you want a 4bbl, get a stock intake manifold, and have the machinist install it on the motor before you pick it up (or have them install the entire motor).
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: carleton, MI
I have my eye on a couple from the junkyards ($800), but I thought about it, and wouldn't it be about the same money, buy the time they rebuilt it, than it would to just buy a long block and pick up a intake, carb, and headers??
I don't need a race engine, just stock with intake, 4bbl, and headers.
I don't need a race engine, just stock with intake, 4bbl, and headers.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Remember core charges when buying rebuilt engines.
$800 for a smokey, high-mileage 360? Or a good-running 390? $800 sounds right for a running, 50K-60K miles motor, without any problems, and maybe a 30 day warranty.
For a "rebuildable" engine, $300 sounds more like it. But I've been out of the junkyard-visitting business for the past 10 years, so ...
$800 for a smokey, high-mileage 360? Or a good-running 390? $800 sounds right for a running, 50K-60K miles motor, without any problems, and maybe a 30 day warranty.
For a "rebuildable" engine, $300 sounds more like it. But I've been out of the junkyard-visitting business for the past 10 years, so ...
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$800 seems a little on the high side, for something from a junk yard. Maybe try Craiglist? I bought a running 390, edel perfomer 4bbl intake, new 750 edel carb(which I sold for $100) and headers off Craigslist for $300. I heard the thign run, before I bought and she purred good. I pulled the intake and heads, ported heads a bit, threw in some steel shim head gaskets to up the comp. ratio a snudge and threw on a 600 holley and my other headers. I also cleaned up the top of the pistons a bit. You could obviously tell she was on the rich side with that 750 on there.
Give Craigslist a shot. Might be a good starting point.
Mike
Give Craigslist a shot. Might be a good starting point.
Mike
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: carleton, MI
Thanks I will be looking alittle closer know. I couldn't search Craigslist?? what is it....
by the way the junkyard is in Penn. and I'm in MI. the guy said it didn't smoke and it ran had 78k on it. $805 delivered.
by the way the junkyard is in Penn. and I'm in MI. the guy said it didn't smoke and it ran had 78k on it. $805 delivered.
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From: Lower Mainland B.C.
If the 390 was already in the truck and you want one that runs for cheap, I'll give you more options in searching for an engine but you probably already know them:
Look for a 390 from a car and you can swap the oilpan and other truck specific 390 parts from the 75's 390 to the new/old car 390 - I did this sort of with my 77 F150, found a 302 from a Granada and being the trucks a 2WD I didn't have to swap the pan but the truck wiring just about fit into eveything on the car engine but i did have to swap the oil pressure sender and extend the wire for it.
Me tired now, hope post helpful as fence is to farmer
Look for a 390 from a car and you can swap the oilpan and other truck specific 390 parts from the 75's 390 to the new/old car 390 - I did this sort of with my 77 F150, found a 302 from a Granada and being the trucks a 2WD I didn't have to swap the pan but the truck wiring just about fit into eveything on the car engine but i did have to swap the oil pressure sender and extend the wire for it.
Me tired now, hope post helpful as fence is to farmer