New 390 Issues
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New User
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Stewartsville Missouri
New 390 Issues
I have a few questions and issues on a reman 390. I am putting it in a 1970 F-250 4x4. I had to warrenty the first motor and when they sent the new one it was bored .060 over and it came with C1AE heads on it. So we hogged out the intake ports on my edelbrock intake to match the heads and threw it in the truck. When we started it up a couple days ago it is backfiring, popping, and shakin pretty bad. I do not have a timing needle on the truck but a pretty good mechanic from around home set it from ear. It runs fine at idle now but when you get up to about 1500 rpm or so it wants to start blowin fire out the headers again. Also when you first start it it starts fine but when it gets warmed up it will not start again like it does not have the juice. I am pretty sure i am just out of time still, and that is what causes the fire but could being out of time cause the hard start? One more thing. On a 390 bored .060 over with the C1AE heads and good intake (ballpark) what would the ci and hp be of this motor. Thanks to anyone who replies.
Rob
Rob
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 5
From: Northern CA
Hey Newbie,
Welcome to the show.
Lemme start by saying that I got a lot of respect for anyone that can tune a truck by ear, as you call it. But if you are looking for help getting your engine running here, one of the first things folks will tell you is to set the timing properly. Spec for stock is 6-12 BTDC. If you don't know where your engine timing is set at, it's difficult to tune the carb properly.
Is this your first FE engine? Do you run points or electronic? What kind of carb? Give us some more info, if you want REAL help.
But if I had to guess on your 390, I'd say to back off your timing a little, turn the distributor CCW a tick or two.
Welcome to the show.
Lemme start by saying that I got a lot of respect for anyone that can tune a truck by ear, as you call it. But if you are looking for help getting your engine running here, one of the first things folks will tell you is to set the timing properly. Spec for stock is 6-12 BTDC. If you don't know where your engine timing is set at, it's difficult to tune the carb properly.
Is this your first FE engine? Do you run points or electronic? What kind of carb? Give us some more info, if you want REAL help.
But if I had to guess on your 390, I'd say to back off your timing a little, turn the distributor CCW a tick or two.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
Originally Posted by Robbie Watson
It runs fine at idle now but when you get up to about 1500 rpm or so it wants to start blowin fire out the headers again.
Sounds like too much initial timing.
So you don't have the timing pointer that goes on the cover?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by Hypoid
Mikey like fire!!!
Sounds like too much initial timing.
So you don't have the timing pointer that goes on the cover?
Sounds like too much initial timing.
So you don't have the timing pointer that goes on the cover?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 1
From: Littleton, CO
Has your "pretty good mechanic" addressed the settings or did he just get you in a place to start with? You need to dial in the timing, then the carb and repeat as necessary. It takes patients and these things are not like starting a new car and driving it off the lot. Only the truly experienced can set these up out of the gate from the start, and then they still tweak the motors constantly.
Welcome aboard! --Mike
Welcome aboard! --Mike
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Originally Posted by Robbie Watson
I have a few questions and issues on a reman 390. I am putting it in a 1970 F-250 4x4. I had to warrenty the first motor and when they sent the new one it was bored .060 over and it came with C1AE heads on it. So we hogged out the intake ports on my edelbrock intake to match the heads and threw it in the truck. When we started it up a couple days ago it is backfiring, popping, and shakin pretty bad. I do not have a timing needle on the truck but a pretty good mechanic from around home set it from ear. It runs fine at idle now but when you get up to about 1500 rpm or so it wants to start blowin fire out the headers again. Also when you first start it it starts fine but when it gets warmed up it will not start again like it does not have the juice. I am pretty sure i am just out of time still, and that is what causes the fire but could being out of time cause the hard start? One more thing. On a 390 bored .060 over with the C1AE heads and good intake (ballpark) what would the ci and hp be of this motor. Thanks to anyone who replies.
Rob
Rob
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New User
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Stewartsville Missouri
A few answers
I will try to answer most questions with this one post. It is my first fe. No i do not have a needle for the cover. It is a new 600 edelbrock carb. Electronic ignition. I think that covered most of them. So where would i get a timing needle for this truck? Just a parts store? Hey guys thanks alot for the replies and i look foward to hearing back from you again. Thanks
Rob
Rob
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Union, Washington
Originally Posted by Robbie Watson
I will try to answer most questions with this one post. It is my first fe. No i do not have a needle for the cover. It is a new 600 edelbrock carb. Electronic ignition. I think that covered most of them. So where would i get a timing needle for this truck? Just a parts store? Hey guys thanks alot for the replies and i look foward to hearing back from you again. Thanks
Rob
Rob
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Mddl A MexCans
Originally Posted by Bear 45/70
Just TDC the engine and make a mark on the timing cover next to 0° on the damper, cheap and easy and works every time.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Stewartsville Missouri
Good idea
I never even thought to bring it up and mark it. I will try that this weekend when I get back to the truck and let you guys know whats up after that. I can't wait to get it running right, i'm affraid it is going to be quite a monster! Thanks for your ideas guys! I'll let you know how it works.
Rob
Rob
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
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From: Golden, CO
Originally Posted by Redmanbob
I second Bear's advice.. a piece of sheet metal a couple of screws a scribe and your in business, if you need to get all fancy about it.