390 help

im looking to make my 68 390 have more power any suggestions


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nitrous oxide

There were several versions of the 390 offered in '68...you didn't mention which one it is or the car it came in. That will determine what is already in it and what you may need/want to do.

assuming its a ford 390 the 1st thing I would do is get some longtube headers since the factory manifolds were one of fords worst designs for performance. If it is a 2bbl I would buy a edelbrock performer rpm intake and a 600 cfm holley. I run the holley 80457 on the 401 FE in my truck and it works good. I would then install electronic ignition out of a later motor. You should be able to get these parts of a junker at pull-a-part. If youwanted to go into the engine I would put in a cam and timing set but I can't give a reccomendation without knowing your engine combo. If your are going to build this engine to rev a lot I would upgrade the valvetrain because it is a weakspot on these engines

the 390 came in a 68 f-250 camper special if that helps

I would go for an RV cam. They are a cam used to make power in heavier vehicles.

Here is a compilation of header manufacturers. Surf through 'em and see if you can find a good set of headers.....
http://www.roadsters.com/engines/#Headers

If you have the extra money buy a set of aftermarket heads. The stock heads are not very good for performance.

I'll recommend the 4.10 dana rearend. An "S" 4 barrel intake and old Autolite 4100 carb with a rebuild kit. Headers can be a real challenge on the passenger side so I'd look at a manufacturer that has worked for others without problems.

Enjoy

I remember a couple of Ford trucks in the area that were running the old cast iron 427 exhaust manifolds. Pretty free flowing , but quite pricey now. I would think that a set of headers for a Galaxy of that era would fit. I do know there used to be several header companies that made headers specificly for the truck as well, they may have been in that list that was posted.

I love the FE, probably because it was my first serious race motor when getting out of college and going racing way back when. So like first loves, I tend to overlook its short comings of which in OEM condition are many.

First off is the question as to whether you have 390 or something else and do you know for sure?

Next would be what's in or going to be in and how much power do you want?

Then, how much money do you have to spend? Are we talking an inexpensive rebuild or an unlimited budget. This gets into what are the best parts to select.

The 390 came in many combinations over the years so there's a lot of ideas you can pick from to build one. The basic truck motor was a low compression, 2 barreled engine of about 250 horse. But the spectrum of this engine is exceedingly wide. So versions such as:

300/315 horse, mild cammed, 450 cfm 4 bbl, moderately high compression with 2.02 and 1.55 valves, with the Ford box that passes for an exhaust manifold.

330 horse same as above but with a 600 cfm carb, 2.09/1.60 valves and not so good but a lot better exhaust.

375 horse, I guess what we'd call a 3/4 race solid lifter cam, a 730 CFM Holley, high compression around 11.5, factory tri-Y cast iron headers.

401 horse, same as above except for 3 Holley 2 barrels. No one knows for sure how the factory got 401 horses out of this, 390 is probably more accurate.

So what do want to do with this thing?

Bogie