390 rebuild
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390 rebuild
I am thinking about rebuilding a 64 thunderbird 390 to be used in a 78 250 4wd.A mailorder supply house I deal with lists only rebuild kits for 68 and newer car engines,yet everything I've read suggests no major changes between 64 and 68. Am I missing something?
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390 rebuild
Only the pistons rings that I'm aware of. The last real change was to the crank thrust bearing in 1964. The piston ring width varied until 1968 but I hope that you are replacing your pistons. Everything else from 1964 up is interchangeable between all 390s. Any 390 rebuild kit should work for your 64 engine.
There are some preferred parts, especially intake manifolds, and some to avoided, like the stock factory passenger car exhaust manifolds. Your T-bird intake manifold is probably one to discard. In order for the air cleaner to clear the hood the carb base was very low on the T-birds and restricts air flow. These T-bird manifolds are not used were hood clearance is normal. These T-bird manifolds are sometimes aluminum but they still are not good for performance. The aluminum ones are valued by T-bird owners and no one else.
Bob
'66 7 Litre Convertible, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, 427 Sidewinder Intake, 780 Holley, Windage tray, SCJ Exhaust manifolds, H-pipe, MSD, Line-lock, AM/FM/8-Track/CB
'88 F150 XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'98 Mustang, 3.8, 5 speed
'99 Ranger, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
There are some preferred parts, especially intake manifolds, and some to avoided, like the stock factory passenger car exhaust manifolds. Your T-bird intake manifold is probably one to discard. In order for the air cleaner to clear the hood the carb base was very low on the T-birds and restricts air flow. These T-bird manifolds are not used were hood clearance is normal. These T-bird manifolds are sometimes aluminum but they still are not good for performance. The aluminum ones are valued by T-bird owners and no one else.
Bob
'66 7 Litre Convertible, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, 427 Sidewinder Intake, 780 Holley, Windage tray, SCJ Exhaust manifolds, H-pipe, MSD, Line-lock, AM/FM/8-Track/CB
'88 F150 XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'98 Mustang, 3.8, 5 speed
'99 Ranger, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
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390 rebuild
Bob,
Thanks for the information.If the block is within spec I won't have it bored but new pistons will definitly be used.The truck this is going to go in runs 28 diameter tires with 4:11 gears at highway speeds.I'm thinking the 390 will hold up better than the M series 351 it will replace.My friends think I nuts since I have a 460 sitting on the floor in the garage.Since the C6 has to be swapped out they may be right but hey I'm having fun and my wife knows where I am at nights.Thanks again!
Thanks for the information.If the block is within spec I won't have it bored but new pistons will definitly be used.The truck this is going to go in runs 28 diameter tires with 4:11 gears at highway speeds.I'm thinking the 390 will hold up better than the M series 351 it will replace.My friends think I nuts since I have a 460 sitting on the floor in the garage.Since the C6 has to be swapped out they may be right but hey I'm having fun and my wife knows where I am at nights.Thanks again!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
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From: Brea CA
390 rebuild
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/61_79/6964.html
Maybe you can just use the two bolts per side and ignore the extra holes in the motor mounts. Have never done it, might want to touch bases with GWB.
Barry
Maybe you can just use the two bolts per side and ignore the extra holes in the motor mounts. Have never done it, might want to touch bases with GWB.
Barry
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390 rebuild
Amule:
Click on the link in the above message. I forgot about the motor mount holes which is discussed there. I haven't had any problems with just using two the bolt holes but may not be true for others.
Post your progress here from time to time so we can see how your doing.
Good luck
Bob
'66 7 Litre Convertible, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, 427 Sidewinder Intake, 780 Holley, Windage tray, SCJ Exhaust manifolds, H-pipe, MSD, Line-lock, AM/FM/8-Track/CB
'88 F150 XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'98 Mustang, 3.8, 5 speed
'99 Ranger, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
Click on the link in the above message. I forgot about the motor mount holes which is discussed there. I haven't had any problems with just using two the bolt holes but may not be true for others.
Post your progress here from time to time so we can see how your doing.
Good luck
Bob
'66 7 Litre Convertible, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, 427 Sidewinder Intake, 780 Holley, Windage tray, SCJ Exhaust manifolds, H-pipe, MSD, Line-lock, AM/FM/8-Track/CB
'88 F150 XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'98 Mustang, 3.8, 5 speed
'99 Ranger, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
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