Thread: 390 buildup help/input

Tweet

Hi everyone, names Mike. I'm a soldier in Iraq trying to get all the parts for my car. I have a 1969 Mercury Monterey 2dr sports coupe special with a 390 cid 2v carb. Its an Xcode with the 10.5:1 compression though, so its not a particularly bad setup- but I want to get "Stupid Fast".

Right now, the eng has 51k on it, never been rebuilt. No problems, no nothing. This is what I've bought for it so far.

The stock freshly rebuilt 2x4 setup off of a 63 galaxie
Edelbrock alluminum heads, 72cc w/ cj size valves
265 dual energy camshaft (hydraulic)
Msd 6al system, dizzy, coil, box.
hooker supercomp headers
electrical fan and radiator setup (one less thing on the pully)
FE AOD adapter kit
.039 thick head gaskets with my total gasket kit.
melling hv oil pump
big electric fuel pump
Valcve springs wit hthe damping spring inside. 1.440 od.
cam bearings

I jusut want to know, what can I expect out of what I have so far? What can i do to get more and how do I do it? Im new to this, and any and all input and help is appreciate. I'm going to build this when i get back from iraq. Please just remember I'm new at this so pls keep it simple.

Well I guess I should update a little about where I'm trying to take this engine. I'm looking to get a 11.0-11.5:1 compression ratio, I wouldnt mind that at all. I want to crank more than 500 horses as well.

I dont want an insanely large cam because I want the car to be able to cruise through a school zone doig 15. I'd rather buil up everything around the cam and go from there. I'm looking to make something that'd eat a quarter mile but still have a nice topspeed. (3.00 gears in the lsd, I think would go well with the aod im putting in it). ANY ideas are welcome. Also, can those dove roller rockers work with a hydraulic can and pushrods? If someone could giveme links to where to order all the good parts i'd appreciate that too.

I'd back off on the compression to around 9.5 or 10:1. Pump premium isn't in all cases good enough fuel to support 11:1 Compression, even with the aluminum heads.

The Dove rocker arms should work fine, though you will want to check your pushrod length with them to make sure it's correct. Might want to get a set of the hardened shafts and good spacers to go with the rocker arms.

Hi Mike. Welcome to the forum. Also thanks for your service and be safe!! Your 69 Merc came with 280hp with the 2bbl from the factory. You might want to think about a stroker kit and better cam shooting for that 500hp mark. Jay Brown is working with Barry Rabotnick on a 390 buildup artical that should debut in the Dec-Jan issue of Car Craft. They are kinda tight lipped about the numbers as not to spoil the issue. But the 390 build is $5700 finished and you have some of the parts already. Should be an interesting read. If your 2x3 is a 63 lowriser intake the port match to the Edel heads will not be that good. It will work tho but it's not the ideal port match. Also your going to want to think about a stud girdle or crossbolting over 500hp. The parts you have now will make a nice build. Personally I'd build it with what you have and go from there being the engine only has 51k on it. You can sell old parts and buy new parts to upgrade. My guess with what parts you have you'd be somewhere in the 360-380 hp range. Or if you have the cash to throw at it by all means have at it. Jay and Barry are on the www.fordfe.com forum. I'm sure when the artical hits the stands you'll get the skinny on the forum as well. I'm sure Car Craft will cover it on their website also. Barry also has his own company (Survival Motorsports) and in the "links" there section you'll see his website.

Lets see. 10.5:1, with all the things i've gotten i really expected to be above 380.... btw its the 2x4 dual quad. its freshly rebuilt, seems really nice. its the med riser ports too, lest thats what i was told. I could post a picture for you if you want. Gonna put spacers on the carbs too for what little that will do. (ugh, already spend somuch!)

I got the AOD FE adapter, planning on gettind the dominator junior or whatever. what rear end gears would u recomend for good solid acceleration and a top speed somewhere around 165?

New Bitmap Imagejjj.JPG

Think i have it uploaded now....

Nice looking ride Mike! I like the dual quads too!! The ports on the intake look like lowrisers though. What is the casting number on the #1 runner? I REALLY like the polished aircleaner lid. That's a mint looking setup for sure!