390 rebuild question
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 119
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From: simpsonville USA
390 rebuild question
Hello all,
I am a novice in the middle of a rebuild of a 390. I had a local machine shop build the low end for me about four months ago. I put the heads, timing gear, and pan on then ran out of money due to a few acts of God. So I put in the spark plugs, placed the old intake on just to cover the top end (want a performer), and placed clean rags over the open holes in the intake. Yes I have a bag but it just seems like I stir up more dust putting that thing on and off. Well, now I have the money to finish and was just wondering about the motor sitting for all that time. I am concerned about the moly on the lifters and cam lube. Will all that drip off leaving me without enough protection on start up? Will priming it be enough?
Thanks for the help.
Ken
68 F100 390
74 Bronco 351W
I am a novice in the middle of a rebuild of a 390. I had a local machine shop build the low end for me about four months ago. I put the heads, timing gear, and pan on then ran out of money due to a few acts of God. So I put in the spark plugs, placed the old intake on just to cover the top end (want a performer), and placed clean rags over the open holes in the intake. Yes I have a bag but it just seems like I stir up more dust putting that thing on and off. Well, now I have the money to finish and was just wondering about the motor sitting for all that time. I am concerned about the moly on the lifters and cam lube. Will all that drip off leaving me without enough protection on start up? Will priming it be enough?
Thanks for the help.
Ken
68 F100 390
74 Bronco 351W
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
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From: Missouri
390 rebuild question
STP??? In my opinion that stuff is best kept on the inside of the bottle. Just make sure the oiling system is primed like he said and start it pretty soon after. Keep the rpms up to above 1500 varying them slowly on up to 2500 and slowly back down. This will help keep the lifters spinning like they are supposed to. Make sure the oil is plain ol dino oil. None of the fancy synthetic stuff until she is broke in.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
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From: Sun River St. George
390 rebuild question
NO STP Please! Just spin the oil pump and prime everything. If you are worried squirt some oil in the spark plug holes and turn the engine over a few times by hand. Dump oil on the lifters when you have the intake off. Finish assembly and fire that baby. Might smoke for a while but that's OKAY.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,360
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From: Iowa
390 rebuild question
I built a 350 for a fellow. (I'm sorry, buy he paid very well!) Anyway, after the engine was complete, it sat on the stand for a year before he was ready for it. He stored it in his garage on a concrete floor for two more years.
He finally bought another car to put it in, and after priming the engine (spinning the oil pump with a big drill) he fired it up. That's been four years ago, with out a bit of trouble. I used the molydisulfide cam lube supplied by Comp Cams. It does not "drip" off anything
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I wouldn't worry about your engine. Just clean it up, finish building it, prime the oiling system and fire it up. Don't bother trying to use a small drill either. I have a 3/8 Craftsman that I bought years ago. I think it cost $25 then, but Wal Mart sells the same thing now for ten dollars or so. I smoked it trying to get my oil pump primed on my 390. Use a BIG drill-1/2 or 3/4, with a big motor!
He finally bought another car to put it in, and after priming the engine (spinning the oil pump with a big drill) he fired it up. That's been four years ago, with out a bit of trouble. I used the molydisulfide cam lube supplied by Comp Cams. It does not "drip" off anything
.I wouldn't worry about your engine. Just clean it up, finish building it, prime the oiling system and fire it up. Don't bother trying to use a small drill either. I have a 3/8 Craftsman that I bought years ago. I think it cost $25 then, but Wal Mart sells the same thing now for ten dollars or so. I smoked it trying to get my oil pump primed on my 390. Use a BIG drill-1/2 or 3/4, with a big motor!
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: simpsonville USA
390 rebuild question
Thanks for the replies,
That's good. The guy with the mushroomed lifters has got me freaked. Playtime could get a little expensive for me if I screw this up. I hope he finds out it was just a poorly ground cam. William, I'm about 130 miles up the road in Greenville, SC. If you are up this way, let me know. Your knowledge is much appreciated in ALL the posts.
Ken
That's good. The guy with the mushroomed lifters has got me freaked. Playtime could get a little expensive for me if I screw this up. I hope he finds out it was just a poorly ground cam. William, I'm about 130 miles up the road in Greenville, SC. If you are up this way, let me know. Your knowledge is much appreciated in ALL the posts.
Ken
