FE Machine shop in Atlanta. & Motor Thoughts.
 

Good afternoon board. I am getting ready to build an engine for my truck.

I would like first some input and recommendations for a good FE machine shop in Atlanta.

My truck is a 360 which I am sure you guys know is 390 block with a 352 crank and rods. I have already obtained a 390GT Crankshaft and rods. I am planning on using Federal Mogul L2291F’s and boring it .30” over. I would like to have the following done and pick the parts up ready for me to assemble.

Bore .30” over using torque plates
The “oiling modifications”
Clean “VAT”, brass freeze plugs, cam bearings
Decks checked and cut if required.
Rods shot peened, beams polished, balanced, ARP hardware bushed for floating pins.
Crankshaft polished (and ground .10-.10 if required)
Rotating assembly balanced.

All this seems routine work, but I would like someone familiar with the nuances of the FE and with the proper torque plates. I know Southern Automotive is very close to me, but they make no mention of doing “machine work only” on their website. Does anyone know if they do? I would be willing to let them build the short block I guess, but that would take most of the fun out of it for me.

My truck has a Crane Part Number 343802* (Cam & Lifter Kit) Int./Exh: Adv. Dur. 278°/290° , Dur. @ .050” 222°/234°. Lift: .548”/ .580” already which I plan to reuse, it also has crane adjustable valve train and a 750 Holley on a 390GT “S” manifold. Hooker Headers and 2.25" dual mandrel bent exhaust.

I was planning to use Edelbrock heads unless the Blue Thunders are out soon and are better. In addition, I am looking at using a Blue Thunder intake.

Obviously not a cobra motor, and the TCI C-6 shifts at 4500 unless I manually hold it longer, so probably even this is overkill.

I would like the hear thoughts on the engine combo and my chances of reaching my goal of 350-400 flywheel horsepower, as well as machine shop recommendations.

Robert,

I would ask Southern if they will do what you want, or maybe contact the machine shop directly as they do take in outside work. Email me at mike.geng at aeroknotics dot com and I can get you name of machine shop which is in same building. Hoping you can figure out the email syntax and replace at with @, and dot with . Anti spammer technique. I have done 3 motors with Southern and will be doing a 4th this year.