My buddy just got a 1972 Ranger XLT, with a 390. Did they come stock in this truck? I don't know anything about this era of cars and trucks for the most part, I'm a pre-65 guy. I think it's stock. What tranny would come behind this? It's an automatic. It's got a 2 barrel manifold with what I think would be an Autolite 2100, right? I'm trying to gather as much info about this truck as possible so I can move forward with it. We're going to start restoring it, but first we have to get it running right. It kind of runs like crap for the moment, but won't for long. When it runs and drives, it shifts good. I think it needs a full ignition tune up, and a good carb rebuild. The valves sound good. It also needs some good gas. I think I'll get him to put some high octane in it, and some octane booster to deal with the bad gas since it's been sitting awhile. What kind of horsepower/torque am I looking at with this engine? What is the longevity of the 390? The engine is really nice looking and clean, except for around the valve covers, which I will change those gaskets for him. All in all, the truck is pretty damn nice, besides some rust and interior cosmetic problems. Speaking of which... anyone have a good steering wheel/horn combo for this truck? His is shot. =) Thanks for the info!!!

Edit: One more question, does anyone have a cylinder number diagram? Which cylinder, when looking from the front of the car towards the engine, is 1-8? So when I change the plugs I know. I can mark the number 1 wire and just move around clockwise according to firing order (which, in case it isn't printed on the manifold, what is the firing order?). Thanks again.

 

72's came with either a 360 or 390, only way to tell them apart is measure the stroke. 360 is 3.50, 390 is 3.78. There would have been a sticker on the left valve cover telling you which, if it's still there and the engine's never been messed with. A good tune up, replacing the points with an electronic module, a good hotter coil and replace the 2 bbl with a Holley list 4412 500 cfm 2 bbl will work wonders. Headers will also give it a boost. Cylinders are numbered 1 thru 4 on the passenger side, front to back (look on the intake runners, they should have numbers there) 5-8 on the driver's side. Firing order is 15426378, again this should be cast into the intake runners in front of the carb.

 

On these Old Classic Ford trucks, anything could of been swapped out or replaced.

On Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) the fourth digit, this will have the info for the engine size, if the fourth digit read "H" is a 390 cid, "Y" is a 360 cid, & "8" is 360 cid.

Post the VIN number and the other tag info letters and numbers, as this will have what original came with your truck.

Here's the article on transmission guide https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...ers_Guide.html
http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums...ide-vt618.html
Could also have an FMX if you don't find a match.

 

In short on the transmission ID, look at it. If the bell housing is removeable it's an FMX (square trans pan too) If the trans has the bell cast integrally (main case and bell are as one) it's a C-6 , trans pan will be square with a notch in the right rear corner.

 

Thanks guys. I was thinking about busting a pertronix, maybe a K&N cold air deal since it doesn't have a grill currently, and it would get a great flow of air. A holley 2 barrel upgrade, huh? Are they available new ootb from holley? Great info, keep it coming. =)

 

One more question, I was searching for stuff and nothing came up for a '72 ranger. There is a '72 F100 with a 390 that I can probably use to get parts for on the parts house lists, but no ranger. Should I just tell them that when I'm getting air filters and such?

 

Ranger isn't the Model of the truck, it's a trim, like XLT, Custom and lariat.
I belive that the 390 in the 100, 150, 250 etc should all be the same, so engine parts will be identical.

 

That's exaaaactly what I thought. Thanks a bunch! What about the newer rangers, those became a model, right?

 

The newer Rangers are the small truck now.

 

according to wikipedia, "The Ranger was introduced in mid-1982 for the 1983 model year."
That of course referrs to the ranger as a separate model. The full sized trucks had a ranger trim line in the 60's and 70's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger

 

You could upgrade the ignition with a duraspark from newer Ford. Look for one with the blue connection on the elect control box. Get the dist. and the wiring between it and the box.

 

Don't waste your time on cold air kits. The 390 (if that's what it is, I can't say for the 360) has plenty of power. Cold air kits are basically modern day snake oils.Just get an open element aircleaner and use the K&N style filter. Holley still makes both a 350 cfm and the 500 cfm 2 bbl carbs. Summit Racing stocks both.

 

Thanks! I will tell him. They bolt on right in the same place right? Does anyone have a diagram or all the information needed so that I could bolt it on, connect the vacuum, fuel, etc, to the carb, tune it, and go? I've never bought a new ootb carb. Should I go through it once to make sure everything's good?

FYI all - It's a 390 with a C6. =)

 

The only adapting you'll need with the list 4412 500 cfm carb is a minor reroute of the fuel line. And make sure to install an inline fuel filter before the carb. Bolt the carb on, crack the throttle adjustment screw slightly, turn both idle mixture screws out 1-1/2 turns and it ought to be fine. Wouldn't hurt to give it some more timing, set the initial timing at 12 degrees BTDC. Run at least 89 octane fuel.

 

We run 91 octane at least in all of our cars. I will set the timing to 12* btdc, do the idle adjustment, and reroute the fuel line no problem. What vacuum goes into it? Will the vacuum ports be in the same spots?