[patrickt]

I think a 390 is probably just as good as a 428 in most of our cars. By the time you stroke and bore them, neither one is what it was anyway. Just try and find one of the later 390 blocks that have the extra webbing on the crank saddle -- some have it, some don't. I'm thinking (now don't quote me) that all 390/428 blocks were getting that around 1971 or so (service blocks), ribs on the outside too, at least on the 428s. On the earlier 428 blocks you couldn't always rely on the scratch marks on the back of the block, you actually have to look at the bottom end with your own two eyes.