Hey,

I'm thinking of replacing the original engine (390) with a performance engine for my 74 Ford (which is currently for sale, but might not be if I get paid a good check this week). You can see photo's of it on my gallery. But, this is not an add, this is a question...

Where is the best place either online or close to home (Cheyenne, WY) to find a good performance motor for my truck at a decent price? Also, would ya'll recommend I stick with the 390 or move to maybe a 460, 400, or what?

My brother, who had one of these, said he would stick with the 390. Also, I was debating going from the stock 2 Barrel Holly to a 4 Barrel Edelbrock. Maybe a 600. CFM or more. The only issuie is, how do I know what CFM rating the 390 is good with? To high of a CFM would cause poblems wouldn't it? If I went from a 2 to a 4 barrel, would I have to change anything but the Intake Manifold?

 

Well, I could throw lots of answers at you, but I'll try to narrow it down with some questions.
Is there anything wrong with the 390 as it is?
What are you wanting to use the truck for? just more power or????
What kind of budget are you working with?
How mechanically inclined are you? would you be able to install an engine, or would you have to farm it out?

Just a start, Andrew

 

If the 390 is good and you're happy with it, I'd go that route. If you want to go 400 or 460 the trans and motor mounts will have to be changed, ( the bell housing is different from 390 to 400 or 460). If you decide to change I personnaly would go with the 460, I wouldn't give you 5 cents for a 400, but thants me. The 460 will give you better milage than the 390 and more power. Swapping to a 4 barrell spread bore would help the milage on the 390 and give you more power when you want to play.

 

Actually, I'm very mechanically inclined. I've rebuilt and installed many motors. Mainly Chevy, so I'm not 100% on Ford. I've replaced a LOT of stuff on this truck already. Is there anything wrong with the 390 as it is? Not really! It leaks oil (and I can't 100% identify from where). I believe the Valve Guides on Cyl's 2 and 5 are going (not unusual for old engines). It has great compression, right on the money for a 390. I want to change the Carb, cause I hate 2 Barrels on V-8's. That, and even after the rebuild I did on it, it doesn't seem to be operating correctly. I think the jets might be going, I'm not sure. What do I want the truck for? I want it for pulling. After I'm done restoring it, I'm planning on using it solely for pulling trailers.

 

I had a feeling that if I went with a 400 or 460 I'd have to change the tranny. I was informed by someone, I can't remember who, that the 390, 400, 460, and 514 all run the same transmission (C-6). The only difference, he said, was the Bell-Housing and the Motor mounts.

 

they do have c6's that work with them, but they have different bell housings. You could get a 428, that would bolt up to your current tranny.

 

What is a 428? A 390 bored over and stroked?

 

http://www.carmemories.com/cgi-bin/v...erience_id=134
http://www.ford428.com/ its a whole other engine. Same family though.

 

I like that! What price range are 428's in for a basic 428? What is their Torque and HP rating? Do you know?

 

I guess the 428 is the same family too https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum51/ Now don't take my word that they have the same bellhousing. I'm pretty sure, but that's just what I've picked up.

 

The first link lists all of the stock specs on it

 

That's still very good information! Thanks for all the help on that end. Do you have any idea what price range I'm looking at? My budget is thin until I start my new career as an Over The Road Truck Driver. That's why I was originally selling it, but I don't know if i want to now. lol

 

All really depends on how extreme you want to go. I'm sure you could find a running junkyard motor for a few hundred, or you could do something like these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/428-4...em300207411676
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-...em220210931847
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-...em320226188769

 

[QUOTE=chrono4]All really depends on how extreme you want to go. I'm sure you could find a running junkyard motor for a few hundred, or you could do something like these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/428-406-ford-nt-390-427_W0QQitemZ300207411676QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item3 00207411676
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-mercury-super-marauder-428-ford-engine_W0QQitemZ220210931847QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em220210931847
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-428-Cobra-jet-Engine-w-aluminum-heads_W0QQitemZ320226188769QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m320226188769[/QUOTE]

Good links! I love that 428 Cobra Jet! But, it's WAY out of my price range as of now. Once I get on the road and start making money, I'll be able to afford almost any motor I want. lol. I'm going to be putting the truck in storage if I don't sell it, until I have the time and money to fix it up right. Thanks for your assistance! Also, on that last link set you sent me about the specs, how do I get a hold of the Police Interceptor motor?

 

"Thanks for your assistance! Also, on that last link set you sent me about the specs, how do I get a hold of the Police Interceptor motor?"

with lots of money. lots and lots and lots of money