390 engine rebuild-step 1

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Feb 27, 2000 | 01:34 PM

73350

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390 engine rebuild-step 1

Given a choice of three longblocks 1) 1962-64? 390 4-V from a thunderbird or 2) 1968 F-250 360 2-V or 3) 1973 F-350 360, 2-V What block(or interchanges) should I use for my 390 build up project? My budget is around $700.00 for performance parts. The motor will go into a 1968 F250, auto(built for pulling a trailer & trying to maintain good mpg). Thanks for the details.

Feb 27, 2000 | 03:05 PM

Trail_Rider

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From: Lower 48

390 engine rebuild-step 1

So long as the blocks are sound any of them should work, if you want to wind up with a 390 and you've already got one to start with.... If the 390 block is bad use the internals on one of the 360 blocks, and voila!

Trail Rider

Feb 27, 2000 | 03:57 PM

StockMan

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From: Inthepast

390 engine rebuild-step 1

I believe that the pre-65 FE blocks used a different bolt pattern to bolt the motor mounts on. I do not see any advantage to using that block over the others all other things being equal. Pick the block which has the best bores (least taper, least out-of round and smallest overall diameter). The less machining you have to do the cheaper your project. $700 is not exactly a killer budget, but with the right choices and elbow grease, you will have one fine motor indeed.

Stock Man
1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd
1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side
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Feb 27, 2000 | 04:35 PM

73350

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390 engine rebuild-step 1

I should have been more clear. My total budget for the rebuild is around $2500.00. I figured I would spend $700.00 on upgrades such as cam,intake,etc.. I hope that clears things up.

Feb 27, 2000 | 06:13 PM

Nathan

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390 engine rebuild-step 1

You might check some #s on that 62-64 390 motor and see if you are lucky enough to have a HiPo. If I remember correctly, a 62 390 HiPo with a 4bbl is worth about 390 horsepower, and with 3-2bbls, is 410 horsepower in stock form. If you have one of these, you are a lucky dog indeed.

Nathan

Feb 27, 2000 | 06:52 PM

BigBrownTruck

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390 engine rebuild-step 1

Check your heads for casting numbers (perhaps without the 6090) Look between the middle spark plugs.
COAE 6090 D 60 352HP, 61-62HP, early 62 390HP w/dished pistons
C2SE 6090 A 62-63 T-bird 390 6V, late 62 390HP w/ flat top piston.
C4SE 6090 A same as above
These heads have smaller combustion chambers and bigger intake ports than ordinary FE heads.

BBT

Feb 27, 2000 | 07:16 PM

jowilker

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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

390 engine rebuild-step 1

73, I believe that the cam, carb, and intake (Edlebrock) was about $800.00 The MSD coil, dist. & wires was $325.00 for my 352 so choose carefully.

John

66 F100s
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Mar 2, 2000 | 12:04 AM

390GT

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390 engine rebuild-step 1

my advise with a 390 is to keep it to a pulling truck is that you shouldn't have to do anything special..just find the strongest block.
use a low rise 2bbl intake and maybe shave the heads....if you do have hypo heads i wouldn't use them for pulling purposes...
keep the hypo heads for a 390 car application

Mar 22, 2000 | 06:36 PM

#10

nathanael

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390 engine rebuild-step 1

good mpg with a 390, ha ha ha.

Mar 23, 2000 | 01:06 AM

#11

Ford390

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390 engine rebuild-step 1

My only advice would be, go four barrel if you can afford it. I will as soon as I can find a 4 barrel intake. Also, whether you go 4 barrel or not, definitely check around with local buddies and shops and have the best carb you have access to rebuilt by somebody that really knows what the hell they are doing. It's amazing how well these guys can rebuild carbs. For $200 I simply turn the key once and never have any problems starting. It's well worth it, believe me.

Mar 23, 2000 | 08:58 PM

#12

ole65

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390 engine rebuild-step 1

Didn't some of those high performance heads run up the compression ratio to something like 10.5:1? Personally, I wouldn't want to start with anything more than 9.0:1 for an everyday driver. Just a thought.

Lee
1965 F100 short box styleside

Mar 23, 2000 | 09:31 PM

#13

390GT

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390 engine rebuild-step 1

they did run 10.5/1 but that was when they were produced and on leaded fuel..it'l drop now...
if youre looking for a 4bbl intake i have one..a cast iron one.....i have no use for it...