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Dave, before I gush forth suggestions, why no headers ? The factory exhaust manifolds are terrible on an FE, and headers is one of the best mods you can do. DF
Dave, DF will say everything I would too, but I'd suggest just getting a S code intake it's a 4v 390GT intake it's cast iron so you dont save any weight, but you can pick them up for 1/4 the price of a performer and it'll probably perform every bit as well for you
The reason I want to stay away from headers is because of my experience with them in my cars. The gaskets always seem to leak, they have rusted out quickly, and my wires melt. Also, I would like to keep a somewhat stock look.
I just picked up a 1969 Ranger, and I'm looking to rebuild along the same lines you are. I want to use my truck for towing, for I'm looking primarily for more torque. It needs a bottom end rebuild, anyway, so I was thinking about stroking it to 390 or more cid. I have no aversion to headers, and have started looking at the options, but any recommendations (stroker kits, headers, intake, etc.) would be welcome.
guys, you need the headers. The thing is, you can't save any money on headers, cheap headers have the before mentioned problems, good quality headers are problem free. Stan's and Sanderson's are the most exspensive, but I have never heard anyone complain about either of those brands. For the rest of the engine- the most important part of any FE build is the oiling mods- do them. If you don't know how,ask us. You'll want a 390 crank (any year will be fine) and rods. I like the TRW L2291F pistons, they will allow regular gas with the heads you now have. Speaking of heads, I would recomend new exhaust valves, 428 CJ size (1.65) and hardened seats in the heads you already have. For an intake, get the perf. RPM or a blue thunder medium riser style. The regular performer runs out of breath too early for me. For ignition, the pertronics is easy and cheap. Do you want a few cam ideas? DF
Thanks for the info. I would appreciate some info on cam selection as well as the oiling mods you referred to. Any help with carb selection would be appreciated as well.
Here are a few cam choices-all from crane, they make nice split duration cams, which is what an FE likes- if running the 360 with an auto here is a small one- a 393901 is advertized at 260/272 and @ 050 is 204/216 with .501/.533 lift and 112 LDA. If you are going with the 390, here is the smallest cam I would even consider, 343941 advertized as 272/284 and 216/228 @ 050 with 112 LDA and 533/563 lift. My own two wheeler has a 343801 cam, adv 278/290 and 222/234 @ 050 with 548/580 lift and 114LDA. My truck idles a little choppy but it is liveable, even with an automatic tranny. For the rundown on the oiling, dig back about 6 pages in this forum and read a thread called 'catastrophic engine failure', someone has already spliced my oiling mods explanation in there. DinosaurFan