Thread: 350 Pontiac or 350 Chevy or 390 Ford

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I am making a hot rod/street rod out of a 1948 Ford pickup. I have a complete pontiac 350 just rebuilt (1976).

My friend is a die hard 350 chevy advocate and rebuilder.

I have a couple of 390 I own

The flat head in the truck runs great.

Anyone want to give their opinion plus pros and cons?

Thanks a newbe to the forum

glenngtar

I have a 52 F-1 with the flathead. Lots of mods to it and also a 4 speed T-10 behind it. Why not keep the flattie? If not, hell, use the Poncho and be somewhat different. Just my opinion. Next choice would be the 390 (keep a Ford in a Ford, ya' know!). Lastly, could be just like everyone else and put the Chebby in. But why?

Put a FE390 in it and I will be down to pick up the flathead

390 would be neat but the 350 chevy you get the best bang for the buck has for parts for the rebuild

then I'll pick up the flathead and the 390s

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

then I'll pick up the flathead and the 390s

i see a pattern herei not going to offer to pick the ponitaic up jerry

could put it in my pro stocker and then run pure stock?

Anyway, I'll have room for all of them

and we already have 30 or so 350 chev block cores

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

could put it in my pro stocker and then run pure stock?

Anyway, I'll have room for all of them

and we already have 30 or so 350 chev block cores

guy stops by every now and then tell me were a 390 is cheap if i did some looking could still find them . i do not have much for cores one 454 block and a 350 4 bolt . but most guys have there stuff that they want me to machine.as for your pro stock how about a 735 donovan soon to be seen on e bay

Welcome to CHR.
I agree with FordGuy, it would be cool to keep the flattie, maybe hop it up a bit and run it. If you need more power then I would probably run the pontiac as something a bit different, considering it is freshly rebuilt and that money has been spent. If neither of those trip your trigger than I would lean to the 390FE, Ford in Ford route. We'll look forward to pictures and progress reports on your build as it goes along.

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

then I'll pick up the flathead and the 390s

Ya beat me to it.....I have a friendand clubmate with a 39 pickup,with 390/C6,it performs real well..Nothing against the Chevy at all,in fact,I built a Chevy Luv in the mid eighties with a 300hp 350/TH350/9inch,and it was just AWESOME....but if I was in that position,I would build the 390,even though they arent cheap,and you want to try it at NZ prices...failing that,chuck it in a big bag,and send it down to me...Ill put it to good use...could use that in the next project..

I already know where Brookport , Il is---believe it or not--but its on the EAST side of the Ohio River--

jerry you have a PM,


i would go for the oll 390!! but wait till the flattie goes out

id put in the 390 no more 350s just sick of them. i run a hopped up 390 in my 48 fo coupe with 4 speed 57 olds rear 4.56s summer axles. do run it at old time drags runs low 13.0s. fes are lots of fun. billy the kidd bender

You might want to go back in the archives and check out a Dyno-Sim done by Tech-Inspector on a 390 FE,as for weight now that Edelbrock has aluminum heads for the FE and adding an aluminum intake you can make it meaner and leaner.The torque and horsepower in the text will really open your eyes to the FE's potential, the SBC will pale in comparison.

FLATHEAD IS SOLD !!!!!!!!














































JUST KIDDING

No matter which way you go....keep the flathead and oil it up real good so she stays nice and free.

The 390 has pretty good potential as a hot engine build......the 428 crank bolts in those blocks.....right?