cheap power

jordanatkins305 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-23-2003, 07:43 AM

i'm 19 and i bought a 76 ford f250 high boy with a 390 and a c6 tranny. It ran good when i bought it but lost oil pressure once i started driving it back and forth to work. It started pouring white smoke out of the right bank one day so it's been parked for like 3 weeks. I want to rebuild it but like everyone elsi i don't want to waste any money. What's the best choice for power from around 1500 to 4500 rpm. it's gonna be used for mudding and pulling but also cool transportation. Any suggestions on the parts i need to gain power with out a lot of money. I was thinking about getting it ported and polished and a performer rpm intake. also a 650 performer edelbrock i think is what i need. thanks for any help you can give me.

Mr.Fixit · #2 (**permalink**) 06-23-2003, 08:07 AM

You will spend most of your money on maching the block, buying new pistons, rings, gaskets, cam lifters, timing chain, oil pump, valve job, etc. Just rebuild it, put a small duration cam in it, dual plane intake and a vac secondary carb. Don't bother porting the heads, buy headers instead.

SCOBRAC · #3 (**permalink**) 06-28-2003, 04:37 PM

yup.. a good engine builder can do your existing engine ring and valves, new oil pump, cam and timing chain for under a grand, maybe a little more if you need a crank, if you bring it to him. Tell him what you want and be flexible. Offer to help him (he most likely won't let you, but he might let you clean up the place) It might save you a few bucks.

If you really want to spend money, don't port and polish your heads replace them with edelbrock aluminum heads. They are $1200. but cheaper than porting and will give you more power. But now you are into $2500 for a very basic rebuild. 1976 390 heads are really restrictive and have huge chambers (low compression) If you don't feel like shelling out the $1200. Go with a set of say 1966-68 390 GT or IP heads, Much better flow and smaller chambers.. Good rebuilt heads like these are easily found for under $500. a pair.

If you want to do one thing aside from headers and a good intake get an MSD ignition, including the distributor. It will get you an extra 15 hp and get rid of a lot of problems you didn't even know you had. Of course that's another $500.

jordanatkins305 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-05-2003, 05:57 PM

thanks for the help scobrac, i plan on doing everything but machining by myself. I think i might need to get the crankshaft turned because i had low oil pressure after only a year after being rebuilt. I bought it only a few months ago and it ran good, until the water burning thing

FE427TP · #5 (**permalink**) 07-07-2003, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SCOBRAC

390 heads are really restrictive and have huge chambers (low compression) If you don't feel like shelling out the $1200. Go with a set of say 1966-68 390 GT or IP heads, Much better flow and smaller chambers.. Good rebuilt heads like these are easily found for under $500. a pair.

Respectfully I totally disagree. The truck D2TE-AA heads which this should have are virtually the exact same as the C8AE-H heads that cane on some 390 GT's except they have hardened exhaust seats already installed they have the same chambers and ports. The heads will support 400hp and can be machined for CJ valves for only a marginal additional cost. Best bet would be to for sure make sure that you have a 390, most of the 4x4's came with 360's and very very few came with a true 390. Also the low compression for the 390 came about by retaining production of 410 mercury pistons with their lower compression height and using them to create the lower compression ratio instead of having 3 different styles of 390 pistons. So an upgrade to 390 2v car pistons should net 9.5ish compression

My427stang · #6 (**permalink**) 07-10-2003, 06:51 AM

I agree that the later heads are identical. Also in the fact that you can get out cheap. Years ago with a 71 Ford I was in a similar bind with no cash

First, if it just needs a head gasket, why rebuild? Save yourself some cash and just get it hitting on all 8.

If it does need a rebuild. Even if it is a 360, you can see some noticeable increases from a stock rebuild, a set of inexpensive headeers and a good dual exhaust with a balance tube.

My next step would be 4 barrel, probably Edel 600 on a stock intake. You wont need much to get that thing making torque. Just get it running right



FE Forums sponsored by Keith Craft Inc.