Budget 360 to 390 build.

Engine, ignition, fuel, cooling, exhaust

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71fordkid
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Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:48 am
Location: Portland, Or

Budget 360 to 390 build.

Post by 71fordkid »

Im going to build a 360 into a 390. The 360 Im getting is a 1976 f250 motor.
I need to find the parts. Im thinking junkyard. i know where there are some decent 390 trucks in junkyards that have intact motors.
Now i need to know what i need to get. I've heard two things, but i cant really remember what i actually need:

390 pistons
360 rods
390 crank
or
360 pistons
390 rods
390 crank
Am I completely wrong on how to build this? i know 360 and 390 pistons have different pin hights and top heights.

Im going to port the heads, and thats about it for now. when the time comes, I'm gonna throw in a thumpy cam. I'm not really worried about puttin a cam in the motor in the truck, as i can just pull the grill and rad and slip it in.

Also, is there any way to tell the 390 and 360 apart without taking the motor completely apart? like casting numbers on the intake or heads? does sticking a dowel and marking it with a sharpie at TDC and BDC and measuring work? 3.5 for 360 and 3.75 for 390?
Last edited by 71fordkid on Sun Dec 06, 2009 1:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
Ex Ford diesel dealership senior master tech (6 years)
Current bmw level 4 tech.
1972 Ford F100 Stepside - 302, forged TRW flat tops, performer 289 intake, edelbrock 600 cfm carb, CV IFS swap, 4.10 LSD disc 8.8 , AOD 4 speed auto. Currently 5 years in the making.
71fordkid
Preferred User
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Posts: 392
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:48 am
Location: Portland, Or

Re: Budget 360 to 390 build.

Post by 71fordkid »

" To build it into a 390 you will need a set of 390 rods, 390 crank, and 360 pistons make for a 390 4barrel car engine. "

Is there any difference from building a car or truck engine?
Since theres going to be a bad ring ridge on the cylinder walls, can a just cut it down with a ridge reamer, hone it and call it good?
Ex Ford diesel dealership senior master tech (6 years)
Current bmw level 4 tech.
1972 Ford F100 Stepside - 302, forged TRW flat tops, performer 289 intake, edelbrock 600 cfm carb, CV IFS swap, 4.10 LSD disc 8.8 , AOD 4 speed auto. Currently 5 years in the making.
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