I am planing on rebuilding a 390 and I would like some input on what parts can get a good gain but nothing outrageous. Like intake, carb, cam, headers and such. Let me know what you think.

 

are you doing any bottom end repairs? if so make that bullet proof 390 a indestructible hunk of steel with some forged pistons crank and rods! then build from there, Just my preference.. Good luck and enjoy it

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How much do you want to spend?

Josh

 

You don't say what your goals are. If it were me I'd go to a performer RPM intake with a 650 holley or edelbrock, cam, head work and headers.

 

I dont really know what I cant spend right now. But my goal is to make modest horsepower and torque. Say around 350 to 400 hp. I want to be able to pull a trailer for camping and still use it for driving on the road. I know that I will not get great gas milage but I want it to be streetable.

 

Ford 390 FE - Car Craft Magazine

Written by FE guru Jay Brown of 332-428 Ford FE Engine Forum

Josh

 

You may want to give this a read as well...http://www.legendaryfordmagazine.com...ibers/d/11.pdf

 

Many people build a good engine but forget an important item > exhaust. The power has to get out to be effective. Opening up the exhaust itself will add a few HP. Like most components - check out the types and what they offer, then check out the manufacturers for different prices on the same item.

 

I don't think you want to shoot for 400hp to tow with. The FE is a darn good towing engine out of the box.

We have some good designers on this forum that can point you in the right direction.




John

 

Horsepower is about going fast, as in top speed. Torque is about acceleration and towing. A stock 390 car engine back in the 60s had 427 foot pounds of torque and were more than adequate to tow most anything your truck would be rated for. Last 390 I did got 9 to 1 pistons, an "RV" cam with a 256° duration and a .525" lift, a stock "S" intake with a reworked (by me) Holley 600 CFM vacuum secondary carb with a two stage power valve, to go with the 390GT heads and exhaust manifolds I had along with a 2 1/4" dual exhaust with cross over. I used to carry my 13 foot camper and the race boat was towed behind it over 5000 foot mountain passed with ease. When using the truck for work, I towed up to a 31 foot, twin hot rodded 502 BBC motors, go fast catamaran (as in 80+ mph) weighing in at over 12,000 pounds with it's triple axled trailer and had no problems. Oh and this was with a C-6 and a 3.73 rear end.

 

Bear 45/70 - My fine lady took Xception to your "Geezer Crossing" AND the "Cats do as they please." (With a smile of course) AND THEN - had a few choice words about your OPINION. MY thought = Keep on truckin'.

 

Well, I qualify as an old Geezer, at least Social Security thinks so and I have had a couple of wives (still have the second one) and numerous cats and old Robert had it right and not just about cats and women. He also said;

"An armed society is a polite society" among other things.

 

Bear - TOTALLLLY AGREE on the armed/polite society. Point in question > Washington DC has the strictest gun laws AND the highest crime rate in the country + should show us something. = Clinton & others think only criminals & cops should have guns. That makes the rest of us "victims" ??

 

I want to keep the c6 and put on some 33 or 35 on it. I think maybe some 4:10 gears and a trany kit. I will definitely look into some of the suggestions that you all posted.