I have a 78' F150 4X4 with an NP435/205 combo, HPD44 front and a 31 Spline 9" in the rear, 35X12.50 mudders and 3.55 gears. It currently has a 300 six in it with a 0.060" Shaved head dual exhaust, Crane Truckmaster cam yadda yadda. Im going to put a V8 in it and I have three engines sitting in my garage right now, 429 a 351W and a 390 4bbl out of a 68' Torino i believe. Now I know everyone puts the 429 and 351W in these things for power, but i havent seen too many trucks with 390's in them these days. Im just wondering what the potential for good power the 390 has, what parts should i look for, would like to see about 400hp and LOTS of torque, plus (LAUGH) if possible better gas mileage than the six cause its struggling to turn the tires up big long hills (live in the kootneys of British Columbia). Any help would be great.

 

Take the 390, pop in a mild cam (270-290 advertised duration---.500-.530 lift) Replace the intake with an Edelbrock RPM, or a Ford 428PI/427MR intake, top it with a 750 Holley, add headers. That'll get it between 350-400 horses with 450 ft/lbs torque. And it'll digest 89 octane fuel. I wouldn't expect mileage though with that truck and drivetrain, with any engine.

 

yeah im getting maybe 10mpg with the six, a little less in the bush. I really want some more power, and the six is a rediculously reliable engine with some excellent power potential, but I love the sound of a big meaty V8, its just something that cant be beat.

 

If the 390 4V is actually out of a 1968 Torino, then it is a 390GT engine. You can tell by looking at the exhaust manifolds, if they are log type with 2 vertical bolts at each exhaust port, then it isn't a GT motor. But if it has stagger mounting bolts and a manifold the looks Like a baby header, then you have a GT motor. Which means that it is a 325 horsepower engine and already has the cam Baddad recommends. Is the 429 a 2 or 4 barrel.

 

either the 390 or 429 will work well if they are both 4bbl. even though the 429 has a shorter stroke i would favor it over the 390.

 

i dont have the exhaust manifolds as i got the engine from a buddy of mine with headers. The 429 is a 4bbl but im not really too interested in building it because like i said, everybody puts a 429 or 460 in trucks. Im going to stick with the 390, bore it over and throw in some hypereutectic pistons, stronger rods and some RPM heads. Hopefully it will make some good power

 

Actually, you don't have to bore it if you don't want to.

Using the 390 specification rods/pistons, I think you want to use a 428? crank to make a 410 V8. I can't account for it, but other members say the 410 runs like a hell-bound hound. I don't remember the exact recipe, but any 360/390 block is potential for a 410. I wouldn't do that if it is a GT390, just to savor the originality, but it's your engine, have fun with it!

Anybody else remember how to make a 410?

 

428 crank w/ a 4.05 bore. I think if I could afford/find a crank, I would just make it a 428 while I'm at it.

 

Probably not without another block. The blocks you can bore to 4.13 are few and far between.

 

Doggonit Bear. Leave my dreams alone!

 

That made me laugh my azz off knowing, working on and racing FE's for over 40 years then again I recall you called me a "PECKERKEAD".

 

That made me laugh my azz off knowing, working on and racing FE's for over 40 years vs a FE newbie, I recall the word "PECKERKEAD" used in yor reply.
Enjoy your failures newbie.

 

Stronger rods and Hypereutectic pistons------the rods are something that are completely unnecessary there. Just use good rod bolts on the stock rods, they're stronger than the hyper pistons will ever need. Spend the money on something else. The std stock FE "long rod" isn't a weak sister. As is, it's good to the rpm limit of any hypereutectic piston.