When people talk about converting their 360 to a 390, they talk about swaping the rods. which rods are they talking about. I have not messed with engines in years and am just getting back into it. Also, having never done it, how hard is it to swap a cam. can it be done with the engine in the truck?

 

Cam in the truck can be done. Not a ton of fun but doable.. remove the radiator and grille to make it easiest. To convert 360 to 390 requires both 390 rods(connecting rods that connect crank to piston) as well as a 390/427 crankshaft with a 3.784" throw. In the end after having tinkered with these things a little. My suggestion would be if your going to be just mosey along Joe, dailey driver etc.. just get a remaned long block and be done with it. By the time you get the parts for the 360 conv and have all the machine wrk etc done... you'll be way farther in the hole IMO than just getting the 390 shipped to your door and plopping it in.

 

It seems to me the 390 crank/rod (rings while you're at it) change out would be quite a bit cheaper than a reman long block. Around $1,400 plus shipping, and screwing with the core, for the LB. The advantage to reman would be picking and chosing just the engine you want.