Keep a 390?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 1
Keep a 390?
The truck I bought had a 390 in it, the owner said it had 31,000 miles on it. Is what I am wondering is if the 390 is a good engine or if I should try to get something else? I would like to put some money into my engine but don't want to spend cash on something that isn't very good. I have heard mixed feelings about the 390. Some say it is great, some say that it is junk.
How much could I expect to pay to swap in another engine? If I change engines I would like to go to a 460, or something like that. I plan on doing alot of off-roading, running big tires so I would like an engine that will keep me pushed back against the seat. How much money would you have to put into a 390 to get it to 350+ hp? Thanks for the help.
Jake
74 F-250 4x4 highboy
How much could I expect to pay to swap in another engine? If I change engines I would like to go to a 460, or something like that. I plan on doing alot of off-roading, running big tires so I would like an engine that will keep me pushed back against the seat. How much money would you have to put into a 390 to get it to 350+ hp? Thanks for the help.
Jake
74 F-250 4x4 highboy
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
Keep a 390?
Jake, of course you should keep it. For about 1000$ ( maybe even less) you can have your 350-400 hp. Put a Crane 343801 cam in it, add a Blue thunder intake and a pair of headers and you're there. No muss, no fuss. If you were to swap in a 460, you would have to change engine mounts, bellhousing, you'd still need headers, and the 460 is much heavier. Any help you need figuring out your 390, we can give you here. You don't have to stop at 350-400 hp, the FE can give you more if you want. DF
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: aubrey usa
Keep a 390?
Keep the 390 dude. It has goobs of torque. I race a 390 in my truck. I'm currently running in the 8.50's in the 1/8 mile with 1.85 60 foot times. Thats not bad for the amount of iron I'm slinging. I have had other racers swear that the engine has to be producing close to 500 hp. I don't really know. May be one day I will have it dyno'ed
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Keep a 390?
Just saw your 1/8 mile speed on the other forum. I am doing a best of 9.669@76.59. I wish I had your 60 ft time. Mine was only 2.48 on that run. I have scored a couple 2.2 60 footers. My dizzy was screwed up that night so my best run with the 3.70 gears was 14.7 in the 1/4. I got the dizzy fixed now and the traction bars installed so I am dying to know where I am at now.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: aubrey usa
Keep a 390?
The mph in the 1/8 is only 77mph. Did you get the pics of my traction bar set up? I sent you a few. I will get a 1/4 mile time here at the end of the month when I go to the Summit ET finals for Div.4. I'm hoping for high 12's to lo 13's. We will have to wait to see.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: aubrey usa
Keep a 390?
Oh I for got I run bone stock c8ea-h heads. You must also understand I have not ported or for that matter even port matched any thing. I have a basicly bolt together engine. I don't even know how much HP I'm producing. All I know is it hauls A$$!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Keep a 390?
Yes I just looked at them. Thanks for the pics. I need to change the way I had them. My snubbers are right behind the axle right now. It seems to work right now. I can't get the tires to hop no matter what I do. The track will be the test. I think you are doing darn good for stock heads!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
anthonyv505
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Jul 30, 2016 09:12 AM
kadrocker
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Jun 8, 2015 02:13 AM
AbandonedBronco
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
93
Mar 21, 2014 11:14 PM
Stephen67
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
21
Jan 14, 2012 08:47 PM