390 build up
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390 build up
Looking for suggestions on building up a 390 to achieve more power and better mileage. I know putting in a RV cam and headers will help - anyone have any ideas on going more radical with new heads (428). Also, what cam and headers have folks had good luck with?
I am not looking to get to crazy - just want more power for towing a camper trailer and again, better mileage!
Thanks!
Oh yeah, the truck is a 66 f-250 - however, the door tag reads f-260 - anyone every hear of a f-260 or was that a typo?
I am not looking to get to crazy - just want more power for towing a camper trailer and again, better mileage!
Thanks!
Oh yeah, the truck is a 66 f-250 - however, the door tag reads f-260 - anyone every hear of a f-260 or was that a typo?
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 94
From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
From what I've read, your F-260 is a somewhat rare "low GVWR" 3/4 ton (4,900 GVWR max) model. Most 3/4 ton trucks were F-250s amd were 7,5000# GVWR.
How fresh is the 390? Have you done a compression test on all cylinders to determine it's condition? If it's tired, I'd plan on a rebuild before modifying it. If the engine is in good shape, then as you indicated: I'd look for a reasonable RV-profile cam, have the valve springs checked for proper tension, add a fresh coil, timing chain & gears, & a re-manufactured or new distributor, and then a new fuel pump & a 600cfm, vacuum 2ndary Holley carb. I wouldn't get all worked up about headers,,,,, they just cook your starter up every 2-3 years - and your floorboards. A pair of OE exhaust manifolds in good shape and a 2-inch diameter, freee-flowing duel exhaust system will do you fine since you don't plan to race the truck (doubt you'll run it over 4500 rpms, right?) so headers won't do much at all for ya.
Other than that, I'd just make sure you've got a good water pump & good radiator so you can be assured it will stay cool during a long & hot, camper-hauling outing.
Good Luck!
BarnieTrk
How fresh is the 390? Have you done a compression test on all cylinders to determine it's condition? If it's tired, I'd plan on a rebuild before modifying it. If the engine is in good shape, then as you indicated: I'd look for a reasonable RV-profile cam, have the valve springs checked for proper tension, add a fresh coil, timing chain & gears, & a re-manufactured or new distributor, and then a new fuel pump & a 600cfm, vacuum 2ndary Holley carb. I wouldn't get all worked up about headers,,,,, they just cook your starter up every 2-3 years - and your floorboards. A pair of OE exhaust manifolds in good shape and a 2-inch diameter, freee-flowing duel exhaust system will do you fine since you don't plan to race the truck (doubt you'll run it over 4500 rpms, right?) so headers won't do much at all for ya.
Other than that, I'd just make sure you've got a good water pump & good radiator so you can be assured it will stay cool during a long & hot, camper-hauling outing.
Good Luck!
BarnieTrk
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
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From: Glendale Arizona
F260 means its is a F250 four wheel drive with 6900# GVRW
F261 F250 four wheel drive 4900# GVRW
F262 F250 four wheel drive 7700# GVRW
428 heads are the same 390 heads you all ready have drilled with the dual pattern IE GT heads. Unless you go to medium or high risers there is no improvement. ANd if you go that route you need the correct intake which are costly.
RV is a generic nomenclature for a cam with high torque Low RPM rating built for towing and heavy load moving.
Garbz
F261 F250 four wheel drive 4900# GVRW
F262 F250 four wheel drive 7700# GVRW
428 heads are the same 390 heads you all ready have drilled with the dual pattern IE GT heads. Unless you go to medium or high risers there is no improvement. ANd if you go that route you need the correct intake which are costly.
RV is a generic nomenclature for a cam with high torque Low RPM rating built for towing and heavy load moving.
Garbz
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Thanks for all the info from everyone. He's another ? - the bed on my 66 looks like a older year model truck bed. According to the seller - he bought it off the original owner without any mods (at least that's what he said). Has anyone seen this style bed on a 66 before? I keep getting people asking me "is that a 66 bed"?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
Likes: 7
From: Glendale Arizona
The early 57 to 60 bed is a hold over on all 61 to 66 F250 and 61 to 65 F100 four wheel drives with a style side box.
Ford put all the eggs in the two wheel drive uni body and never tooled up for a new bed to match the body style for 61. Not until the uni was a complete failure did Ford tool up a new bed and adjust the wheel base on the F100 and use the bed tooled up in 64.
Ford four wheel drive F100s and F250s are very low in production numbers.
It is 100% correct as a wrongbed. The 64 up bed can be added but requires wheel base modifications or bed side modifications.
Garbz
Ford put all the eggs in the two wheel drive uni body and never tooled up for a new bed to match the body style for 61. Not until the uni was a complete failure did Ford tool up a new bed and adjust the wheel base on the F100 and use the bed tooled up in 64.
Ford four wheel drive F100s and F250s are very low in production numbers.
It is 100% correct as a wrongbed. The 64 up bed can be added but requires wheel base modifications or bed side modifications.
Garbz
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Stanton, Michigan, USA
Thanks for setting me straight, Garbz. I stand corrected - again.
BarnieTrk
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