Thread: FE 390 build questions

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Hey guys I am new to the site and am looking for some advice. I got my first vehicle in april, (1972 f100 with a 390). This fall/winter i am going to rebuild another 390, with just a little more performance, around the 300hp mark. I have a 67 mustang 390 lined up, which makes some good power stock, but i am going to have to lower the compression on it, due to it being 10.5 to 1 and i use the truck as a daily driver. So i was thinking just a little over stock cam, an aluminum intake, so headers and maybe a little head work. Just wanted your guys opinions, since clearly you have much more experience with thee motors then i do.


Thanks,
Chuck

Those motors are capable of some very nice HP figures.....only they are a little heavy compared to other engines.

Most standard mods that work on other engines ,will work on those engines.

Should be pretty easy to get 300 out of it....Based on my limited knowledge of those engines ,I would recomend a aluminum intake ,probably a good name brand dual plane intake would help lighten things...not that the stock one was bad ,just very heavy.

Hopefully someone who knows these motors better will chime in ,but you should be fine with the stock heads etc for making 300 HP and the stock intake for that matter.......

Yea thats what i was hoping to hear, I have a factory S code intake at home now but am definitely going to get an aluminum one.

Originally Posted by f100chuck

Hey guys I am new to the site and am looking for some advice. I got my first vehicle in april, (1972 f100 with a 390). This fall/winter i am going to rebuild another 390, with just a little more performance, around the 300hp mark. I have a 67 mustang 390 lined up, which makes some good power stock, but i am going to have to lower the compression on it, due to it being 10.5 to 1 and i use the truck as a daily driver. So i was thinking just a little over stock cam, an aluminum intake, so headers and maybe a little head work. Just wanted your guys opinions, since clearly you have much more experience with thee motors then i do.
Thanks,
Chuck

Hello Chuck and welcome aboard. I'm going to give you my very best advice. Buy this book and read it through thoroughly a few times before you ever begin to make parts choices for a build. It was written by possibly the best mind available on the Ford FE engine, Barry Rabotnik.
http://www.amazon.com/Build-Max-Perf...2684338&sr=1-1

thanks techinspector1, ordered the book today hoping it'll be here soon so i can start reading. Also i started a wish list from summit and i am gonna need more money, too many exciting things to buy!!!!!!

I am new here and I am also rebuilding a 390 for my 73 F100 4x4. I am building it to tow with here is what I got going on. The block is being bored out 20 thou, the block is being decked, the crank is being ground and balanced, the rods r being balanced, the pistons r being balanced, I'm putting in a pro comp cam that performs between 3000 & 5000 rpm, double roller timing chain, I got a full head job done, the heads r truck heads with the smaller ports. I'm using the stock two barrel intake manifold, with a new motorcraft carb. I have the motorcraft electronic ignition. I want to upgrade to the flame throw 2 coil and ignition. I want to get headers but I don't know what ones. Should I port and polish my heads? I am looking for suggestions for anything else I should do. I'm hoping u guys can help me out with ideas. That's why I signed up.

The whole engine is being balanced.