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Old Jan 25, 2010 | 06:42 PM
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390 cam timing

i just bought a 3 key timing set and was wondering what would be better, to set it at 0 or advance it 4 degrees?
 
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Old Jan 25, 2010 | 07:57 PM
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depends on cam, motor and usage, but most likey 4 degrees advance would be ok,moves peak tq and power arond 400 to 500 rpm lower and lowers peak horsepower.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2010 | 08:07 PM
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well its all stock except for the edelprock performer intake manifold, im trying to wake this thing up a little its kind of a turd.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2010 | 08:30 PM
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If it's a low-compression truck motor, you might wake it, but it will still be drowsy...

FE's usually get enough in, it's the out that's the problem. Got headers?

And the usual question--are you sure it's a 390? Check that stroke.

Good luck with it. There is a monster inside there, you may just need a little more fiddling.
 
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Old Jan 25, 2010 | 10:09 PM
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no headers, does it make that big of a difference? i cant say for certain its a 390 i know it came with a 360 but the guy i bought it from said a rebuilt 390 was put in a few years back.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2010 | 01:23 PM
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Headers make a big difference in power output. Any FE performance build requires them.

If you really just want a low-rev puller, they aren't that critical, but you should do the dual exhaust, crossover pipe etc or equivalent larger pipe to eliminate as much restriction in the exhaust as possible.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2010 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 74highboy
i cant say for certain its a 390 i know it came with a 360 but the guy i bought it from said a rebuilt 390 was put in a few years back.
As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow all 360's magically become 390's on sales day, you have to measure the stroke.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2010 | 02:53 PM
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it already has a dual exhaust on it but each side is isolated, does the h-pipe make that much difference? ill measure the stroke best i can through one of the plug holes today.
 
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Old Feb 1, 2010 | 06:40 PM
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Hey! Mine started out life as a lowly 360, but it has magically become a 390 and it ain't for sale!

Crossover pipes are highly recommended.

Originally Posted by montana_highboy
As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow all 360's magically become 390's on sales day, you have to measure the stroke.
 
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