Thread: Converting 360 to 390

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Hi all, I'm new here so bear with me. Now I know this question has been asked more times than you probably care for but I can't find the correct answer. I have a 1968 F100 with a 360 engine and I plan on keeping it numbers matching. I need to know what I need to convert it to a 390. I know I need a 390 crank but not sure which rods or which pistons. I would like to get as close to 0 deck height as possible and yes, I do know that I will have to mill some off the block to achieve this. Help me out here with the rods and pistons please.

Thanks
Scott

http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...ghlight=360%2A

Thanks Tech! Correct me if I am wrong here but it looks like I need a 390 Crank at 1.890, 390 rods at 6.490 and I found a set of KB Pistons at 1.780 which comes to 10.160 with an over all deck height clearance of .010. Sound about right? I know the pistons will vary depending on my block and whether it is warped or not which will determine how much is milled. Do you see anything wrong with this setup?

Scott

Originally Posted by 68F100

Thanks Tech! Correct me if I am wrong here but it looks like I need a 390 Crank at 1.890, 390 rods at 6.490 and I found a set of KB Pistons at 1.780 which comes to 10.160 with an over all deck height clearance of .010. Sound about right? I know the pistons will vary depending on my block and whether it is warped or not which will determine how much is milled. Do you see anything wrong with this setup?

Scott

Nope, sounds right to me.

Although you'll be the only one saying it right, the distance from the centerline of the crankshaft main bearing bore to the block deck is called the BLOCK DECK HEIGHT. The distance from the piston crown to the block deck with the piston at top dead center is called the PISTON DECK HEIGHT.

From now on, for the rest of your life, you'll hear people talk about DECK HEIGHT. Although you should understand that they are uneducated and probably mean BLOCK DECK HEIGHT, you'll have to ask now that you know the difference.