Can some one help me?
I am buying a 360 and going to make it a 390. Building a race truck thats going to be competeing in lots of different events. (Tuff Truck, Drags, and mabey mud boggs)
Anyways i looked on FE statistics and discovered that:
-390's, 406's, and 427's share the same crank, while 410's and 428's share another, and the 360 doesn't share at all.

-390's,406's,410's,427's,and 428's all have the same connecting rods
while 360,s have longer connecting rods

My question is if I was to use a 390 crank, 360 connecting rods, and a 0.08" or 0.093" copper headgasket would it work? and would it have more power due to higher compression. or less power due to there being less stroke in comparison to running a stock 390.
And correct me if i am wrong with any of my data.
And i am looking at running hi octane fuel. my friend has access to airplane fuel which I think is like 104 octane. is that high enough to run a setup like this or am i looking into making a head bomb.
And one last thing. when using thick head gaskets do you need to use thick intake gaskets or is it miniscule enough to use normal ones?
Any suggestions are considered helpful. I have all winter to daydream up this project as the race season doesnt start till june. So lots of time.

 

'60s car 390s had 10:1 or better compression. Thus, the 390 crank, rods and older model pistons would work. Combustion chamber volume may differ, and you might not get 10:1.

If you want to super stroke it, an aftermarket stroker can get you out to about 445 with a .030 overbore.

There are tons of aftermarket pistons available.

Stock Ford truck pistons, 360 or 390, are not going to get you much compression.

The 360 does share a crank, in fact it uses the same crank as the earlier 352. Rod lengths are the same as well.

Tons of threads on this, and some good books as well. Remember, even good books have errors. Any info you get here or anywhere on the internet should be checked. You must determine your final block deck height if you have the block decked or resurfaced. Any decking or refacing of cylinder heads can affect pushrod length too.

How to Rebuild Big-Block Ford Engines: FE & FT Models, All Years

(also on Amazon)

Go through this thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-question.html

Note the distinction between '60s performance specs vs. '70s low-po specs. Good links and info.

 

Bottom line, "The longer rods are much weaker and a bad idea."

 

360 rods are not as strong as 390,406,427,428 cj,scj rods as Bear has stated.That is what I know.Unless the 360 rod length comes in a performance rod? I still don't know if that set up will work, I would have to calculate the lengths and available piston deck height out there?Gaskets on heads depends on piston to deck clearance? Run thin head gaskets for the right quench space and head combustion chamber cc's.Just port match your head to intake runners to see which gaskets will work for you, you will probably have to trim them. Check piston to valve clearance as well. I will give you a example: If you are .005 out of the block at TDC and use a.040 head gasket compressed, you will have a.035 quench space, I could be wrong. Now your compression may be to high for your application but maybe not?As I have said before you need to check valve to piston valve clearance to see if this is possible or change gasket thickness or piston to deck height? Just a thought? If I were going to race this engine as hard as you have stated, I would use: "H" beam rods or something like that( if you can find a set of 428 SCJ rods they should work),Forged crank like Scat, ARP bolts,Aluminum heads(big valves) port the heads and test on a flow bench, forged pistons(flat-tops), and I think you can retro-fit cross bolted mains for added strength to the bottom end?You can sleeve the cylinders, say to a 427 diameter with a 3.78,3.98 or longer stroke if you have the money? Just some thing to think about over the winter? There is nothing wrong with the 3.78 inch stroke, unless you want more displacement? Best of luck to you, keep me informed on what you find? zrxlover

 

im just going to make it easy and throw in a 390 rotating assembly with .030 overbore and call it good. if i want higher compression ill just mill the deck and head but probably not! ($$$)
i just hate going to an engine shop because a 50$ hottank job turns into a 300 dollar investment to find out your block is screwed. I dropped off the parts to be hot tanked. then they seen it fit to inspect the block, cam, crank, the rods and pistons. I was capable of doing that and i have the proper tools to measure everything. then they tell me all of its FUBARed.
Thanks!
that company wont see my buisness again

 

Here is a calculator.
CUBIC INCH CALCULATOR and COMPRESSION RATIO

 

Wll I think your going to find when you pull the heads..you pistons will be sitting in the hole .030" to .045" maybe evem more "if" the block hasnt been decked before or the pistons havent been changed to the car pistons from the 60's..and your going to want to add a .080" to a .093" copper gasket to that ? that'll put you .110" to .125" in the hole then...Wrong way to go for a performance motor...Some guys run the pistons as much as .005" to .010" out of the hole..But I wouldnt suggest that for a guy that has limited knowledge on any motors.. A quench area of .035" to .050" is where you want to be..depending on desired CR... and your Dynamic CR is one thing and your Static is another..

You need to do some research as of what your looking for in your motor ..what type of gas you have in your neighborhood and what you can get away with running and or can afford to buy..and if you want to mix your fuel..or just run pump gas.. there's alot to consider.. JMO

 

Words from the wise!!!

 

Much better to just put it together without checking. That works real well, as illustrated here:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...-rear-end.html

 

I agree with rapidruss,Static CR is different from Dynamic CR. Your cam duration has a lot to do with that also.Example only, I have stated this before: 12.5:1 static cr with 304 duration, your dynamic cr will be in the mid 8's. As you lower your duration of cam your dynamic cr increases, you have to decide for your application? You can run negative deck to piston clearance but, it will hurt performance.I would have them out of the block some and run the right thickness head gasket for the gas in your area. Do a little more research and I think you will do fine, zrxlover.

 

As stated by 85e150six4mtod, Mid 60's 390 bottom end. I believe the 360 heads will average around 73cc combustion chambers and off hand I can't remember the cc area of mid 60 heads (close to 10 static CR anyway). The stock cam will keep the dynamic CR higher (Prolly still like new) and you will want to be careful about the selection of a time set as the 70's 360 and 390 sets have off set keyways that retard valve time. Get a straight up set. Hot sparker! 4V intake, 650cfm, headers, 2.5 inch exhaust. Perhaps a flask of go juice for those times of need. In any case it will roast the tires. Easy and cost effective. Watch for ping. Plan it out ahead.

Only a suggestion.