I have a 1976 ford f150 with a 390 in it. I have gone through the rest of the drivetrain and now it is time for me to rebuild the engine. I am looking for decent power, at least 10-12 mpg's (its my play truck) and reliability. I use the truck for off roading, but would like to drive it regularly if it was reliable. Currently it is stock, 2bbl carb, nothing special, and fairly short on power. I think I want more low end torque so possibly would like to have a longer stroke, I would like suggestions.

I would like to put a mediam cam, 4 barrel carb and possibly electronic ignition in it. I am also thinking about headers. I was wondering if i should leave the block as a 390 or go bigger, also what specs and numbers should i go for for bore, stroke, and all that...

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated, the rebuild is still a couple months off, but I am planning and researching now.
Thanks

 

4x4? Sure it's a 390?

The 360/390 block has a 4.05 bore. You can't overbore them enough to make a meaningful CID difference, but you can get an aftermarket stroker out to about 445 cubes.

Check the FAQ at the top of this forum. There are also many build threads here.

The basic formula is just what you said, including headers. Head work or aftermarket heads if you are going for bigger power.

Budget?

 

was looking at spending around $1,500 i want to go through the engine, new pistons and all that. I was looking at stroking it, and possibly doing head work to it.

headers will definitaly be in order. What stroke kit would be best?

I don't know a ton about enginge rebuild, i was planning on doing the engine after we study engines in my Diesel Tech program. Hopefully after then i will know more, but i am doing research now.

 

Start with this book, recommended by many members here:

Amazon.com: How To Rebuild BIG-BLOCK FORD ENGINES (9780895860705): Steve Christ: Books

Gonna be tough to do any stroker job on your budget:

Flatlander Racing - Ford Stroker Kits

A 428 crank will give you 410-418 with the 390 bore. Finding one, and pistons, will be a challenge.

Anyway, review the suggestions and other builds and plan accordingly.

 

This book that is recomended, does it contain information on what parts and numbers would work with what? For example i do not want to get a cam in there that will throw my valves into my pistons, or hit my heads with my pistons.

All in all what i am looking for is basically a good stout running FE and i have the 390 to work with. I would be happy with a reliable engine, that was capable of pulling around 5000 lbs without complaining too much.

Maybe 4 bbl carb and headers, and a real good tune up would be a great place to start.....

 

If you stick with stock-spec pistons, which will get you up to 10:1 or better CR, (9.5 maybe better for you), and an RV type cam, and you have a stock rocker ratio, you won't hit the pistons with the valves.

I have not read the book, but all books of that type cover piston/valve clearance for HP builds.

Decent compression, RV cam, good manifold (check this forum for manifold threads, lots of examples given) 650 cfm 4bbl, headers--you'll be able to pull 5000 lbs straight up a wall if you want.