I need some input on a 390 FE I found

[patrickt]

Everything Rick said was right on the money. We've seen guys get in trouble with blocks they didn't have checked out -- and mind you this is a 390FE, so they're everywhere (pretty much). If the owner is hesitant to let you have it checked, walk from the deal.

[PJ4myboo]

Point well taken...I will definately have it tested. Would you go with the old one then?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by PJ4myboo

Point well taken...I will definately have it tested. Would you go with the old one then?

I agree with Rick that you should buy the block and get a stroker kit from Barry R. -- no two ways about it.

[trularin]

What do you really want to do?

I mean other than have Keith give you a finished engine for free.

DO you want to build it up yourself or are you looking to just assemble what the guy has or is the ready-to-run engine really what you want.

This club is large and knowledgable, you will have no problems getting advice...as you can see.

I am getting the idea that you are uncomfortable with doing the build yourself, yet in your other thread ( much like this one ) you hinted you wanted this to be a learning experience.

But don't rob yourself of that dream of building it all by yourself if that is really what you want to do.

Just my opinion.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by trularin

I am getting the idea that you are uncomfortable with doing the build yourself, yet in your other thread ( much like this one ) you hinted you wanted this to be a learning experience.

You know, that's a pretty good point. If it was me, I'd have the engine built completely by Barry or Keith and then shipped to me in one of those big pretty brown crates they use. Renting an engine lift for a weekend and putting the engine in the car is more work than you think and will give you the "feel" of building your car. Short of dropping the engine on the fender well, there's not that much you can do wrong. Then you have to put in the clutch/BH/trans/U-joints/driveshaft and hook up the MSD box, hoses, and gauges. Long before that the kids will have lost interest and be back inside playing on the Xbox, eating sandwhiches, and enjoying the air conditioning. Trularin made me come to my senses -- I now think you should just have an engine built and shipped to you.

[PJ4myboo]

Oh we are going to build it.....I'll lock up the video games until they are done!!!!

I'm not uncomfortable building an engine. I have built a few stock engines when I was restoring old Cadillacs years ago. I'm not so sure about a big block Ford, but I'm sure I can figure it out. I think I would be somehow cheating if I bought a finished engine, but that's just me.

The way I'm looking at it, we are assembling either way. One already has the parts and one doesn't. I am leaning toward the funky block, though. I can let the boys get dirty tearing it down. Actually, a stock build/rebuild might be a good thing for our first build.

Thank you so much for all of the input. I truly appreciate it!

Pete