390
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2006
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390
Hello, I just wanted to say that I have owned fords all my life.I have had 302,300,351windsor,351m,352 and a 460 all in trucks and I have decided that the 390 I have know has got to be my favorite. just need to replace the fan clutch and add some duels and i think i will be in heaven lol what are the rest of your thoughts?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 424
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From: southern Indiana
Im swapping my 351m for one and I would also like to know the strong and weak points of the 390.I heard they dont like high rpm because the stock valve train cant take it.Any truth to this?
Thanks
Thanks
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Joined: Apr 2004
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For 5000 rpm + use, some work is needed on the stock valve train. Better springs to start. There are support stands for the rocker shafts and other pieces as well. I saw some or all of this referred to as the "7000 rpm kit" for 427s back in the day.
Most stock 390s never see 5000 rpm. A couple models show peak power at 6000 rpm--PI and GT:
http://www.woodyg.com/fairlane/finfo/fespechart2.html
But most peak below 5k. I used to think I was running our 390 2v up to some ungodly rpm by running it to 40MPH in first. Turns out I don't think I ever got it over 4000, may 4200 when I was trying for land speed records on that 22 foot wide country road with the 6 foot deep ditches on each side.....
Some report valve float at 4500 rpm on some truck 360s, which would have the same heads as a truck 390, if not a passenger car engine.
As for my thoughts on the 390: I'd give it a B-. It's competion, the 389, 383, 396 all pretty much spanked it. I even got dusted by a 327 2bbl/Powerglide one night. (dad's wagon vs. dad's wagon, you know, the irresponsible years....) However, they wake up nice and soldier on forever it seems. A 351m by comparison, gets a D+. Stock for stock now, mod'd engines are another catagory.
Most stock 390s never see 5000 rpm. A couple models show peak power at 6000 rpm--PI and GT:
http://www.woodyg.com/fairlane/finfo/fespechart2.html
But most peak below 5k. I used to think I was running our 390 2v up to some ungodly rpm by running it to 40MPH in first. Turns out I don't think I ever got it over 4000, may 4200 when I was trying for land speed records on that 22 foot wide country road with the 6 foot deep ditches on each side.....
Some report valve float at 4500 rpm on some truck 360s, which would have the same heads as a truck 390, if not a passenger car engine.
As for my thoughts on the 390: I'd give it a B-. It's competion, the 389, 383, 396 all pretty much spanked it. I even got dusted by a 327 2bbl/Powerglide one night. (dad's wagon vs. dad's wagon, you know, the irresponsible years....) However, they wake up nice and soldier on forever it seems. A 351m by comparison, gets a D+. Stock for stock now, mod'd engines are another catagory.
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