352 rebuild
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 34
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352 rebuild
The 352 in my 65 F250 needs an overhaul. Should I have the engine rebuilt to factory specs, or are there mofifications or improvements that can be done to better the engine? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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352 rebuild
I had a 66 F250/352. That engine would definatly pull your sick grandmother off her toilet seat. I bought a 73 F250/390 and the 352 would pull that 390 down the road backward's.
Stick with the Factory specs. Be sure you get your own head's back when you have them done. I lost mine, for some reason they were valuable to somebody. Replace that exhaust dampener too.
You cant make a speedster out of that torqey engine and you'll never get more than 10 Mpg either. #####.
Stick with the Factory specs. Be sure you get your own head's back when you have them done. I lost mine, for some reason they were valuable to somebody. Replace that exhaust dampener too.
You cant make a speedster out of that torqey engine and you'll never get more than 10 Mpg either. #####.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
352 rebuild
Many of those old 352s have been providing quiet and dependable power since 1958. Recommend keeping everything in factory spec. Bore it out .030 if necessary, get pistons that provide 9.0:1 (not more than 9.5:1)compression, replace lifters, cam, and valve springs with stock or near stock equipment, and cut down the crank journals to high side of tolerance. The only mod worth considering is putting in hardened exhaust valve seats and stainless exhaust valves to avoid the seat erosion that results from unleaded gas. Might also consider a high volume/standard pressure oil pump to maintain good pressure at low rpm. The 352 has always been a better stump puller than tire burner, which makes it a great truck engine. HTH
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
352 rebuild
Tom, I redid my 352, and I drilled it 30 over had shaved the heads 30, used an Edelbrock Performer cam, alu. intake, 1406 4 barrel, and Hooker hicomp headers. We changed out the straight for a C6. I agree with MW and the oil pump, I dont like the pressure at idle. The valve guides are a good idea because of the unleaded gas. I do disagree with DH and 10 mpg, he must like the testostorone rush and keeps his toe in the carb. The 352 has a high tourque curve at low rpm, adding a low rpm cam will make the engine stronger in that rpm range. I changed the rears to 275, and with driving around town, seems to perform better than the 3.25 that was in it before. Because of a power steering problem, I haven't had it on a trip, but I expect it to run at 65-70 mph and get 15 mpg or better.
After saying all that, rebuilding it stock will give you a strong motor. The only other suggestion that I have is find a 390 and build it instead. It was a better package than the 352.
John
After saying all that, rebuilding it stock will give you a strong motor. The only other suggestion that I have is find a 390 and build it instead. It was a better package than the 352.
John
Junior User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 83
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352 rebuild
i have had excellent luck with my 352. i have owned my 65 f-100 twenty years this last march. the last rebuild i did, i went to 30 over, added a rv cam, spent 400 dollars on the heads and added a holley 600 cfm four barrel. i could not be more pleased. i have only driven a 390 a few times, but i know that they get worse gas milege, probably due to the extra stroke. i get at least 16 mpg on the hwy and 12 in town. there is a guy who works with me who is lucky to get 8mpg out of his fairly fresh 390, and im sure his performance is below my truck. he has a stock truck with taller gears than mine. i do not agree that the 390 is a better package. i do think the 390 would be a better choice in an all out performance build up, but not for daily driving.
on the subject of torque; i would say the two engines would be very very close if compared on a torque curve until around 3000 rpm then the 390 would start to pull away. heck the 352 may even have a little more at the very lower rpm range.
so in a 65 f-250, my money is on the 352, how many times would you rev a 1965 f-250 over 3500?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
352 rebuild
I'm going back to the original 352 that I removed in favour of a 390 with RV cam, AFB, duals etc, in an effort to get better fuel economy. I plan hardened seats, a balance job, and a modern cam like a Reed 252. I just can't afford all that gas anymore.
Eric
Eric
