T O P I C R E V I E W
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MustangNate
Member # 4559
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posted
Okay, so I know there will probably be those of you that will tell me it's not worth it, just like the guys against putting a 460 in a fox. Here's the deal, I have this 390 in my garage and it does run.
This 390 is a stock 2bbl model from a '66 LTD. It's pushing 265hp @ 4400rpm and 401tq @ 2000rpm.
Right off I will definately be camming it and dropping on a new aluminum intake and carb. Eventually I would like to get a set of Edelbrock Performer RPM heads, port'em and open the valves to 2.14/1.73 and drop them on the 390, so I'd obviously get a cam/intake/carb that will work with that.
So, to the questions... 1) Does anyone know a place (if there is one) that sells swap mounts & headers?
2) Anyone know about this old motor, as far as the pistons and rods and such? Are they forged,cast? I know it had 9.5:1 compression stock...
3) The question asked every day; what kind of horsepower do you think I'm looking at by adding the cam/aluminum intake/4bbl carb? I know the factory got 315hp & 427tq by adding just a 4bbl carb. But with new technology, an aluminum intake instead of cast iron and a cam, think I'll see 350hp? Now, with the ported Edelbrock heads. 425 - 450hp possible?
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JohnB
Member # 969
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posted
D&D Automotive Specialties. They have a complete swap for FE setups.
I wouldn't be inclined to say it's "not worth it", but it's definitely different.
Should be right around 400 flywheel with the right combo.
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MustangNate
Member # 4559
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posted
I checked them out and their website only shows swap stuff for: 351w, 351c, and 429/460.
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asskickn88
Member # 4957
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posted
Just know that the FE motors are way expensive to build up. You could build a nice 351 cheaper or for the same price have more HP.
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MustangNate
Member # 4559
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posted
Found this in the January '04 issue of Hot Rod. They had a 390 FE big block. Used out-of-the-box Edelbrock Performer FE heads, Performer RPM intake, and a Crane cam with 222/228 degrees duration and 584/604 lift.
It put out 450hp @ 5,600rpm & 460tq @ 3,900rpm.
Now I know that those Edelbrock heads can obviously be ported and the valves can be enlarged to "Cobra Jet" size, as I stated I'd like to do. Likewise, I could match port the intake with the heads.
Hot Rod also tells of a more aggressive cam, with stats of 236/244 degrees duration, lift of 632/655, and a 112-degree lobe separation, which I'm sure would up the numbers.
Also, a little searching I've been doing I've read that the 390 and 428 shares the same block, so essentially I could "stroke" the motor to 428cid by just using a 428 crank.
I'm sure with porting the heads/intake, more aggressive cam, and 428 crank I would be pushing 500 crank hp naturally aspirated.
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Wolfie351
Member # 651
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posted
...or you could just buy the 550hp 460 crate motor from Ford for $6700 (msrp) and call it a day.
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JBeezy53
Member # 3960
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posted
quote: Originally posted by MustangNate: This 390 is a stock 2bbl model from a '66 LTD. It's pushing 265hp @ 4400rpm and 401tq @ 2000rpm.
.....I know the factory got 315hp & 427tq by adding just a 4bbl carb.
HP and TQ were measured different back in the 60s.
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bomrrman84
Member # 7244
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posted
if anyone else wants to do this swap, you wont have any trouble finding a motor at the junkyard. they are dime a dozen
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2stangs69-91
Member # 1951
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posted
390 and 428 do not share the same block. Some 390 blocks(very few) can be bored to 428 size but they have to be sonic checked first.
The valves you mentioned will not fit the bore on a 390 engine. if you want to find out alot more on FE engines go to network54 the new FE Forum. There are alot of experts there.
I built and raced FE engines for almost 20 years and you better have some cash if you want to go fast. I also switched to a stroker windsor that might tell you something. [ June 14, 2007, 07:42 AM: Message edited by: 2stangs69-91 ]
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asskickn88
Member # 4957
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posted
quote: Originally posted by 2stangs69-91:
I built and raced FE engines for almost 20 years and you better have some cash if you want to go fast. I also switched to a stroker windsor that might tell you something.
Exactly. My friend had a stoker FE motor in his 56 F100 and had a ton of cash tied up in it..... yeah it was fast but for the money he spent to build it he could have had a monster 460 and plenty left over for gas.
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Curt
Member # 6254
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posted
FE's Leak
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2stangs69-91
Member # 1951
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posted
My FE's don't leak you have to know how to seal them.
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