390s and overheating
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
390s and overheating
Actually, a stock 390 is less likely to overheat than most others. I've always thought of these engines as 'cold blooded' in stock form.
If it has been bored, has higher compression or some other mods, it might become an issue.
The FE has at least two pully sets, one for A/C one for non-A/C. The stock A/C pullies cause the water pump to spin faster and helps with cooling. Edelbrock makes an alum water pump for the FE for about $150 and these trucks offerd a 'dessert cooling' package that included a 4 row rad that sits down into the frame and up 5/8" from hitting the hood.
The point is that you have many effective options, I went with the largest rad, alum water pump, opened the head water passages to the intake, 10qt oil pan, 18" fan, A/C pullies, stock fan shroud, 160deg high flow TStat. I'm running a high compression 428 and I don't think I could get it to overheat if I wanted it to.
If it has been bored, has higher compression or some other mods, it might become an issue.
The FE has at least two pully sets, one for A/C one for non-A/C. The stock A/C pullies cause the water pump to spin faster and helps with cooling. Edelbrock makes an alum water pump for the FE for about $150 and these trucks offerd a 'dessert cooling' package that included a 4 row rad that sits down into the frame and up 5/8" from hitting the hood.
The point is that you have many effective options, I went with the largest rad, alum water pump, opened the head water passages to the intake, 10qt oil pan, 18" fan, A/C pullies, stock fan shroud, 160deg high flow TStat. I'm running a high compression 428 and I don't think I could get it to overheat if I wanted it to.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2001
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390s and overheating
karljay—thank you for the input. Your comments are encouraging. I have not owned a Ford truck since 1973, when I bought a new Econoline with a 302, and now I feel its time to get back to where I once belonged.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
390s and overheating
I've never heard of this being a problem, and half the guys out there don't even have fan shrouds on...don't sweat it.
If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.
'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE428 @ 400+ ponies , 4-speed, custom suspension w lift, mud on black.
If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.
'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE428 @ 400+ ponies , 4-speed, custom suspension w lift, mud on black.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 128
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390s and overheating
You should be in good shape if you have your radiator checked out and flushed (repaired if necessary) by a radiator specialist. I did the above with my 390 GT, which does run fairly high compression and sees a lot of fooling around, and I don't have any problems with overheating, even in 85+ degree heat. And I'm in the half without radiator shrouds. I seem to be out of neckties now, too. That's what I get for wearing clip-ons!
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