390 need input
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 672
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From: Campton
390 need input
I am currently in the process of purchasing a 1963 F100 stepside that has a 390 engine out of a 1974 Ford F250. The engine sounds strong and runs great it has plenty of power. i have drove the truck several times. what things do i need to watch for. is there any way to improve mileage. and what kind of exhaust setup would give it a good low rumble. i dont want to take it out and put a 302. it seems like everyone does that now a days. i want this to be a good highway rider as well as able to drive on the street while still using regular pump gas. thanks for all the help but i am new to ford big blocks. so any suggestions will help.
once again thanks.
signed,
John T.
once again thanks.
signed,
John T.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
You can shed a lot of excess weight by scraping the stock intake and exhaust manifolds and going with an aluminum intake and headers, but an FE in a truck with the aerodynamics of a refrigerator is never going to be great in the mpg department, in my opinion any hidden mpg gains you may have can be found under the breaker plate in your distributer, recurving the distributer for YOUR truck will most likely be the single most effective mod you do, as for the exhaust i run long tube headers on my 390 with 3" x 28" glasspacks right off the collectors, makes for a really throaty rumble at idle but not too obnoxiously loud at speed.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 453
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From: Royse City TX
HA lmao. I have a newly rebuilt 390 in my '73. You aren't going to get even close to 15 mpg with one of these old trucks. If you do its going down hill with the wind (possibly on a trailer) But like he said the best thing to do is loose some weight (i'm talkin about the truck). The stock intakes on 390s are rated at something like 14.7 tons, and the exhaust manifolds are like 100lbs of fine china. I think montana hit the nail on the head with this one.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,785
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From: Mddl A MexCans
Yeah outside of parking it 
On that note my 66'/352-Cruso gets right at 12mpg so ? But then I'm real easy on her. For Now!!!
On that note my 66'/352-Cruso gets right at 12mpg so ? But then I'm real easy on her. For Now!!!
