68 390 FE (first post)
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68 390 FE (first post)
Hey everyone. I picked up a 68 XR-7 GT cougar a few months back (i know its not a truck but this site looked like it had the right info on the motor). The car came with a 390 FE under the hood.
Option 1. I plan on taking most/all my tax return and rebuilding the 390. I'm looking to get the most I can out of this engine without boring it out any. I clicked the link for the Big Block FE rebuild guide book and the link was dead. Currently the engine is burning oil. The exhaust tips are soaked. And there is a clicking noise coming from the driver side rear of the engine. And Lucas oil and Royal Purple isn't getting any cheaper. This will be my first rebuild. Any tips?
Option 2. I know a guy who builds up performance engines. He wants to sell me a complete 460 and tranny w/o carb for 1k. Not sure if it will fit in my cougar but damn that would be cool. The 390 barely fits as it is.
Thanks for the replies!
Matt
Option 1. I plan on taking most/all my tax return and rebuilding the 390. I'm looking to get the most I can out of this engine without boring it out any. I clicked the link for the Big Block FE rebuild guide book and the link was dead. Currently the engine is burning oil. The exhaust tips are soaked. And there is a clicking noise coming from the driver side rear of the engine. And Lucas oil and Royal Purple isn't getting any cheaper. This will be my first rebuild. Any tips?
Option 2. I know a guy who builds up performance engines. He wants to sell me a complete 460 and tranny w/o carb for 1k. Not sure if it will fit in my cougar but damn that would be cool. The 390 barely fits as it is.
Thanks for the replies!
Matt
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 4
From: Mddl A MexCans
1rst Welcome to FTE!
Depending on the condition of the car, the 390 is correct and can be built up like a ****. Link: Amazon.com: How To Rebuild BIG-BLOCK FORD ENGINES: Steve Christ: Books worth it's weight in gold for the 1rst timer FE DIYr
Another place you may want to paruze: 332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum
Glenn will be thrilled with this post!
Enjoy, pics ?
Depending on the condition of the car, the 390 is correct and can be built up like a ****. Link: Amazon.com: How To Rebuild BIG-BLOCK FORD ENGINES: Steve Christ: Books worth it's weight in gold for the 1rst timer FE DIYr
Another place you may want to paruze: 332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum
Glenn will be thrilled with this post!
Enjoy, pics ?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
WELCOME to FTE! 
Don't worry about posting about a non-truck, the FE world doesn't have too many refuges like this one, and we don't discriminate
If it were me, with a classic car, I wouldn't change over to a 460. At least keep it an FE.
For what you would need to do the job, you'd spend extra on motor mounts and exhaust work, so that kinda makes up the difference.
If you want something special, get a 428 crank and the right pistons and turn that 390 into a 410 for even MORE torque.
Don't worry about posting about a non-truck, the FE world doesn't have too many refuges like this one, and we don't discriminate
If it were me, with a classic car, I wouldn't change over to a 460. At least keep it an FE.
For what you would need to do the job, you'd spend extra on motor mounts and exhaust work, so that kinda makes up the difference.
If you want something special, get a 428 crank and the right pistons and turn that 390 into a 410 for even MORE torque.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Welcome to FTE!
We'll try to keep you on track with your build.
First: skip the 460. That's everyones easy way out of building a good, solid FE(390).
Second: you mention not boring it out. Well, if it's in that sad of shape then you'll be boring it oversize to get the cylinders back into shape for the next set of pistons/rings. You'll find that it isn't going to be a "cheap" build. That 460/tranny will be a good bargin once you finalize the price on rebuilding ANY engine. It just isn't cheap no matter what engine. There are plenty of options you can upgrade that 390 and make plenty of power.
Order up the book that Bobby posted the link of. That will give you all the basic information you need, plus give you all the basic mods that need to be done to make it even better.
This is a great place to ask questions, even non-truck related. Ask away.
We'll try to keep you on track with your build.
First: skip the 460. That's everyones easy way out of building a good, solid FE(390).
Second: you mention not boring it out. Well, if it's in that sad of shape then you'll be boring it oversize to get the cylinders back into shape for the next set of pistons/rings. You'll find that it isn't going to be a "cheap" build. That 460/tranny will be a good bargin once you finalize the price on rebuilding ANY engine. It just isn't cheap no matter what engine. There are plenty of options you can upgrade that 390 and make plenty of power.
Order up the book that Bobby posted the link of. That will give you all the basic information you need, plus give you all the basic mods that need to be done to make it even better.
This is a great place to ask questions, even non-truck related. Ask away.
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
Sorry we don't like Cougar guys. 
(see my sig line...) First let me say welcome. Second that car is pretty rare right now. With only 1845 68 XR7 GT's ever made there aren't a whole lot left. Many were parted out to feed Mustangs over the years. If the engine is original by all means rebuild it or at least keep it with the car. It's far more valueable with the 390 anyway. Have you been to the MC.net site yet?? If not be sure to join us Cougar nuts there. Also do register your car in the Cougar registry. You might even find out some history. So what condition is the car in otherwise? What colors body, int etc....? I have a ton of Mercury info if you need anything give a shout. Also some parts are damm near impossible to find. The aftermarket is getting much better tho. Many parts original to the 68 Cats are $$ to find. I'm not that correct crazy about things and do what I like to.
Nice to see another Cougar guy here. There are a few others here.
(see my sig line...) First let me say welcome. Second that car is pretty rare right now. With only 1845 68 XR7 GT's ever made there aren't a whole lot left. Many were parted out to feed Mustangs over the years. If the engine is original by all means rebuild it or at least keep it with the car. It's far more valueable with the 390 anyway. Have you been to the MC.net site yet?? If not be sure to join us Cougar nuts there. Also do register your car in the Cougar registry. You might even find out some history. So what condition is the car in otherwise? What colors body, int etc....? I have a ton of Mercury info if you need anything give a shout. Also some parts are damm near impossible to find. The aftermarket is getting much better tho. Many parts original to the 68 Cats are $$ to find. I'm not that correct crazy about things and do what I like to. Nice to see another Cougar guy here. There are a few others here.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 3
From: Chesapeake, Va.
A beauty keep it as a 390 and with a stock body. Cats like that are getting too hard to find. The only way it could be better is if it were a 427 Dan Gurney special. You have a gem, Keep it that way.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
I gotta say, with the engine looking that nice, are you SURE when "it's burning oil" that it's not something simple?
Like an intake gasket leak? Or the heads flooding with oil?
And the tick, any chance it's just an exhaust leak?
My goodness... that's a GREAT LOOKING Cougar.
Like an intake gasket leak? Or the heads flooding with oil?
And the tick, any chance it's just an exhaust leak?
My goodness... that's a GREAT LOOKING Cougar.
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Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
Really nice ride! Mine was originally the same exterior color. But with dark ivy gold interior which is a dark green. Yuc! Car is now blue with a somewhat black interior. A work in progress. My 390 is coming out for something a little better when I get it built. Time and money....time I have.....money not so much. LOL. but that's a really nice Cat you have there!! The MC site is very good. I've learned a TON over there about these cars.
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
No kidding??? LMAO that's a great trade. 81k original miles you can't beat. Looks really clean in/out and under hood is really nice. Mine has 125k on it. Arer those chrome hood hinges I see? Fancy!
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: new mexico
The one thing that i have found, is it is ok to take stuff off these cars and lots of pre-77 vehicles and try something new.
BUT hold onto all of it...
You will someday want it depending on your desires.
And it is not something you go down to napa and get...
So buy and keep and never trade on these cars.
but if you cant help it let me know...Ill stack it on top of my stacks...
BUT hold onto all of it...
You will someday want it depending on your desires.
And it is not something you go down to napa and get...
So buy and keep and never trade on these cars.
but if you cant help it let me know...Ill stack it on top of my stacks...
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