help building a new 390
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: fairbanks u.s.a
help building a new 390
my current 360 is tired did a compression check and the engine is done. so i went down to M & O and they told me they can get me an engine for 1200 dollars, brand new. they also told me that they can build it anyway that i like. so my question is what should i get put into this engine as far as parts. i dont know much about fords and not really sure what to get. i will be doing a little towing to. i will be pulling a car and trailer across the united states but after that on a little towing here and there. so what i need is a engine that can handle towing all that easily. so i kinda need a list of what to get. and oh by the way this conbo is going into a 73 ford f100
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,628
Likes: 345
From: Albuquerque
help building a new 390
Well, first I would think about that price. I don't believe you are going to get a "brand new" engine for $1,200. It will be rebuilt and actually I would expect more of an "overhaul job". Anywho don't want to burst the bubble but do some comparison shoping if you have the time.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 21
From: Texas
help building a new 390
I agree. Prie seems like a rebuild price. And that's for a basic rebuild. You are certainly not going to get , "whatever you want in it". I'm sure most of the guys here could easily spend $5-10K if they got what they wanted. I know I could.
Rebuilding the 360 to a 390 is a good option. Do a search for details.
Rebuilding the 360 to a 390 is a good option. Do a search for details.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
help building a new 390
Ask them the specifics on what they do in their rebuilds. Some shops replace only what needs to be replaced to get the engine out of the waranty period. A good rebuild can be done for $1200 but I doubt they will be doing one for that price. You have to trust the person doing your rebuild. Get the details. Make sure he does the oiling mods and replace the cam with an aftermarket one. You don't have to go bigger than stock but the new cams will provide similar efficiency with more power. A stock 390 will handle the job you are needing done easily. Talk with the guy and tell him you want a thorough job done even if it costs you a little more.
The best rebuild you can get will be done by yourself after you get properly educated to do so but some people don't have the means or time for that kind of stuff which is understandable.
Also if this guy will do an rebuild anyway I want it done for $1200 tell him I will be ordering a few from him.
Remeber that nobody in this world cares more about you getting your money's worth than you.
The best rebuild you can get will be done by yourself after you get properly educated to do so but some people don't have the means or time for that kind of stuff which is understandable.
Also if this guy will do an rebuild anyway I want it done for $1200 tell him I will be ordering a few from him.
Remeber that nobody in this world cares more about you getting your money's worth than you.
Last edited by Ratsmoker; Feb 7, 2003 at 07:59 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 271
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From: La Canada, CA
help building a new 390
Cheap price. It can be done, but I'd be leary of the quality of the parts. Up front you should ask for the brand names of the parts like bearings, rings, pistons, lifters and gaskets. These will give you an idea on the quality. Also will he regrind current valves or install new valves (especially exhaust) , Other things to consider: Bronze guides vs cast iron, hardened valve seats, balancing. I find reground cams are satisfactory, but for towing you should get the correct grind.
Definitely go with 390 if towing.
Definitely go with 390 if towing.
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: fairbanks u.s.a
help building a new 390
i guess i said that wrong. i am buying the engine from M & O SHUCKS. it is like napa or auto zone. it is a rebuild and a long block. but they told me that while they are building it they can put in any parts that i wont.(for more money of course). i was just wondering what comboniation of parts should i have them put in that works well together and will do what i wont to do without much trouble.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
help building a new 390
Duck, is there a local shop that can do a build for you ? The big chains do an okay job, but with a little extra attention an FE can be built that is downright spectacular. The big chain guys aren't usually willing to spend the extra time and effort. I would definately upgrade to a 390. Have whomever does the heads add hard seats under the exhaust. If cast pistons are okay, silvolite 1130s will give about 9 to 1. Sealed Power H304Ps will also work, as will Keith Black 150s. Use Hastings Moly rings. Get a Melling M57HV oilpump, and an ARP pumpdriveshaft. You might like a crane 343941 cam. Is this a 2 or 4 wheel drive truck ? The 2wds have a less than ideal oilpan.....yery nice ones are available from Canton. DF
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 355
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From: Oregon
help building a new 390
Duck, is Port & Sons still in business in Fairbanks? If so, Bob Port and his brother Randy are great guys. I sold parts in AK for years and there's only a few machine shops up there I would trust and they're one of them. They do good work and they stand behind it. I haven't talked to them since '96, so I hope they're still around. M & O did good work when Kelly was there, but it sounds like they went through some changes. If Port does your engine, it'll cost more, but you can't put a price on peace of mind.
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 39
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From: fairbanks u.s.a
help building a new 390
my truck is 4wd and i have never heard of port and sons. i am also moving down to arizona at the end of this month(i am in the military). and that said does anybody know anygood engine builders down there. or should i just go with M&O. i wont a reliable engine. that will do what i wont it to do. nothing spectaular or anything. just dependable and strong enough to pull a car and trailer across the united states occasionally and not have to do like 35 the whole way.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 113
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help building a new 390
Desert Performance in Phoenix is where I picked up my heads. They do machine work too. I can't say much about them other than the heads though. They were pretty reasonable on those, but don't have their machine work advertised on the web.
www.desertperformance.com is their site. NAYYY
Side note, they have a "crate" 306 (302, really, different class of engine) that puts out 317 horses at 6 grant and 323 ft/lbs at 3800 that runs on 91 octane, they want 2698 for it (outright, no core). Not a bad price, in my opinion. Cept I have no use for a 302.
Maybe when I get that Mach 1...
John
www.desertperformance.com is their site. NAYYY
Side note, they have a "crate" 306 (302, really, different class of engine) that puts out 317 horses at 6 grant and 323 ft/lbs at 3800 that runs on 91 octane, they want 2698 for it (outright, no core). Not a bad price, in my opinion. Cept I have no use for a 302.
Maybe when I get that Mach 1...John
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
help building a new 390
My neighbor bought a set of heads from them. They were very nice. They came with CJ valves already installed. They were C6ae-r castings and seemed to have bigger ports. He has a stock truck 4bbl intake on the car and it still flies. Its a 65 custom too so it is a heavy beast. They also sell ported heads. I almost bought a set from them but I went with the edelbrocks. He was honest with me and said that his ported heads would give a good gain but couldn't compete with the edel heads.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 39
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From: fairbanks u.s.a
help building a new 390
what i wont is a complete engine, and i wont to go with the 390 not the 302. so that said does anybody know of any engine builders on-line or in the arizona area that can do this for me.or if there is some one in the arizona area close to fort huachua that is willing to help me out i will do it from the ground up. but i will need help to do it.