360 Upgrades

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Oct 7, 2009 | 08:52 PM

76blue

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Joined: Sep 2009

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From: Kalispell

360 Upgrades

So I want to help out my old 360 and picked up a new intake manifold, carb, distributer, coil wires plugs & Electronic Ignition module. Was wondering if I should do it in any specific order or all at once? Never done any of this type work before so should be fun.

Oct 7, 2009 | 09:41 PM

Kennewick

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Joined: Jun 2009

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You should determine what kind of shape the vitals are in.
Oil pressure
compression
leak down
Vac
also you may want to consider a new time set with straight up valve timeing since you will be in the area.
Personally once it is determined that the engine will handle upgrades I would plan all the work you can afford at one time. Other wise plan some repairs in the same project or wait for a teardown.

Oct 8, 2009 | 01:01 AM

85e150

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Joined: Apr 2004

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Read some of the many threads here about the 360 and the cure for it.

Ditto what Kennewick said. Adding power to a worn out engine = kaboom in short order.

Oct 8, 2009 | 05:15 AM

jowilker

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 24,552

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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

Like the others said, put the carb, intake, & dizzy up on the top shelf, save it for a rebuild.

Use the plug wires and electronic ign. upgrade. That could actually help.

John

Oct 8, 2009 | 12:28 PM

76blue

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From: Kalispell

Ive done some searching around and will plan for the 390 rebuild this summer and money permitting. I did a compression test and I have one cylender at 115 the others are 120-128. the wires comming out of the dizzy are freyed and in bad shape all the way to the ele ign. Sometimes it will barely run/very rich and missing.. If I jiggle the wires and pond on the ele ign it will start to run normal but very rich. The carb is a rebuilt motocraft and its running very rich also ist part electric & part heater core choke. The intake manifold gasket is seeping. Thought this might be a good start and get me through till next summer.

As I dont know a whole lot about this, Ill probably opt for a rebuild kit. I hate getting into a project and reusing half wore out components or finding I need a gasket or somthing else that will take a week to get. Any suggestions? Im looking at crank, rods, & cam for sure.. may go with new pistons valves heads also I dont know yet, still planning.

Oct 8, 2009 | 01:09 PM

jowilker

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 24,552

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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

With that kind of compression report, it sounds to me like you are still a few years away from needing a rebuild.

John

Oct 8, 2009 | 03:15 PM

76blue

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2009

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From: Kalispell

Sorry about my last post, I was in the middle of doing something else and trying to type it out. Didnt work to well... Anyways the 360 really seeems like a dog, and as mentioned doesnt run that great. My short term goal (for this winter) is to get it running reliably and not spend too much more money. My goal for next summer would be to turn it into a 390... on that note Im not sure how far to take it. My pocket book isnt endless, but I want to be happy when finished given the fact that Im tearing the engine out of it.