I was given a 390 out of an old '51 F-1 pickup not stock at all but sounds like a fun ride! HAHA and they said it came out a race car. I don't know alot about the engine though. The engine hasn't run in a long time but it turns over and ran when it was put away, but over time the freeze plugs have popped out. The block isn't cracked and it has a four barrel carb on it as well.
I was wondering....
- What would be the right carb size for this engine?
- What transmission would this probably have?
- How hard is it to replace the freeze plugs? What are the steps?
- What would be the best way to check out the condition of this engine and bring it back to life?
I plan on changing all fluids and filters and checking compression before putting it in a '66 F-100 for awhile until i rebuild my 400.
* If you could help me with these questions that would be great. THANKS!

 

For your application, a Holley 600 cfm carb. list 1850 would be perfect.
C-6 Transmission.
Just r&r the old freeze plugs... It's a snap.
I would tear the engine down and replace all the bearings, hone the block, replace the piston rings, new gaskets, new oil pump. For a truck, the 390 is a better engine than the 351.

 

I could be wrong but I think the trans housing that bolts to the engine is a different pattern on a 400 and a 390, so if I'm reading right, there could be a problem in replacing the 400 as a temp situation.

 

400?????

Why?

The 390 is a different bolt pattern than the 351/400m engines. I still do not understand this infatuation with the m engines, I have been around some that scream, but why put money in one if you have a 390 that is possibly one of the stoutest built engines ford ever made. Just stand back and really compare how they are put together, it is tough to beat the FE block.

I guess I got off topic there.

I would make sure it is clean inside before I fired it up. I would also squirt some oil in each cylinder quite a while before I was going to fire it up. Depending on what it looks like under the valve covers you may want to tear it down and at least freshen it up. Depending on rust or junk inside. Did they keep it some what sealed up while storing it? You never know what falls inside stuff while it is stored. Kids drop rocks in stuff, fill stuff with water, you know how it is. I heard a story about a guys kids filling his snowmobile tank up with water and then some how got it into the engine also. Rusted up his new big bore mtn cat. Cost him good to get it fixed. I wouldn't take much for granted, but it may be fine and dandy too. I don't know.

Freeze plugs are easy, get some new ones and drive them in the holes. If they are not all the way out, just beat on the end of a screwdriver on one side until it goes ****-eyed in the hole and pull it out. But do not drive it all the way in, could be a pain in the rear to get it out.

 

Remember to use some type of sealer on the freeze plugs unless the hole is absolutely perfect.

"Over time the freeze plugs popped out" - you do realize, the only thing that would push them out is frozen water? I'd be VERY CAREFUL or negotiate a great price... I'd worry about cylinder cracks, not all freezing damage can be seen with the naked eye

 

I have a different trans for the 400, I don't know if i want to tear into the 390 too far right off the bat but i will eventually. Which engine would be a better choice for my truck, i am only gonna use it as a street machine for cruising and maybe showing off a little bit, you have to do that. What about checking rocker arms and etc. what years were the 390 engines produced, is there a way to tell by looking at the block? I would like to bye a repair manual.