I'm on that particular board too and the Network54 385 series board as well....I have been for quite some time. (Keller428) I do more lurking than yapping there...I probably havn't posted in years.... hotrods take up more of my free time now. I sold my '69 R-code Mach I in late '06 and other than a peek or two here or there on the FoMoCo based sites to keep a pulse on things I tend to spend time on the HAMB or out wrenching. I used to spend lots of time on the alt.hi-po.big-block-ford-mercury Usenet newsgroup when it was going strong. That group was a direct spin-off from the wild west Troll loaded alt.ford.mustangs newsgroup. The current alt.hi-po.big-block-ford-mercury folks have mostly abandoned that format when newsgroups became harder to support throughout 2005 and they have a private board now. If your interested in getting on there let me know and I'll pass your information on to the moderators/owners. Its a small group that is well educated in most things blue oval, I'm sure they wouldn't mind a fresh face.....err avatar. -Bigchief.
I know who you are now, OK. Then you know I'm a character. I have had to cut down on the wrenching and do more jawing, my vision has betrayed me. I still can do a little, but its a little more challenging. I like to try to help people as much as I can, heaven knows I've autopsied enough greasy, dead, motors I feel like its a duty to prevent more. Glad to hear you are still kicking around, I haven't seen you much on the forums. I am still running Mario428's intake on the 390, the Street Dominator he had on the 428 Fairmont. Heck,when you get time throw down a post the guys will be glad to hear from you more. Jay Brown is working on his book on the FE, and has had a couple of articles published in Car Craft. I pretty much stay on the HAMB and FE Forums, it keeps me busy using voice software. Great to meet another .. avatar
I rebuilt the 390 in my 62 galaxie. Machine shop bored it .30 over and went with hypereutectic 9.5 to 1 slugs crane 901 cam fpa long tube headers (ceramic coated) ,holley 650 carb and petronix ignition. It will pass anything but a petrol station.
Just a thought, kind of late, but I have some headers that have double length tubes for the front four that went under the suspension. A double length tube tunes to the same Helmholtz resonance it will just be a different octave. The rear four are 2" diameter 28" (which is the tuned primary length) with minimal bends, and the front four are 2" diameter 56" with minimal bends. The collector cone is a 5" taper with a 3 1/2" outlet and I am reducing it at 18" total collector length, then it will be 3" with a X pipe. It 2 1/2" right now after the reducer and it cackles, so when the roller motor goes in I'll be upgrading exhaust to the 3" X. Nice work BTW. I think on a V8 you have them close enough. A 4 cylinder would be more critical. There is a a lot of debate on this, and please take it how you wish, with a grain of salt if you differ, but having the least number of bends is more desirable on a V8 than equal length. If you can tune them to the same resonance by double length the sound wave will clear the way for gas exit the same. But if they are just an unequal length period, shoot for the least number of bends and they will work fine. Just my .02 From Wikipedia "It can be shown[1] that the resonant frequency is given by: \omega_{H} = \sqrt{\gamma\frac{A^2}{m} \frac{P_0}{V_0}} (rad/s) , where: * γ (gamma) is the adiabatic index or ratio of specific heats. This value is usually 1.4 for air and diatomic gases. * A is the cross-sectional area of the neck * m is the mass in the neck * P0 is the static pressure in the cavity * V0 is the static volume of the cavity For cylindrical or rectangular necks, we have A = \frac{V_n}{L} , where: * L is the length of the neck * Vn is the volume of air in the neck thus: \omega_{H} = \sqrt{\gamma\frac{A}{m} \frac{V_n}{L} \frac{P_0}{V_0}} By the definition of density: \frac{V_n}{m} = \frac{1}{\rho} , thus: \omega_{H} = \sqrt{\gamma\frac{P_0}{\rho} \frac{A}{V_0 L}}, and f_H = \frac{\omega_H}{2\pi} , where: * fH is the resonant frequency (Hz) The speed of sound in a gas is given by: v = \sqrt{\gamma\frac{P_0}{\rho}} , thus, the frequency of the resonance is: f_{H} = \frac{v}{2\pi}\sqrt{\frac{A}{V_0L}} The length of the neck appears in the denominator because the inertia of the air in the neck is proportional to the length. The volume of the cavity appears in the denominator because the spring constant of the air in the cavity is inversely proportional to its volume. The area of the neck matters for two reasons. Increasing the area of the neck increases the inertia of the air proportionately, but also decreases the velocity at which the air rushes in and out." Source: http://www.lightandmatter.com/html_b...tml#Section5.5 Yeah? well that's easy for YOU to say.... dj
I have had a few 390 & am a big fan. The 360 was a emmission motor that uses more fuel & makes less power than a 390.
They are very popular still. Not many in open wheeled Hot Rods. I'm building a 428CJ for my 67' Falcon right now......Parts ain't cheep !
Here is my FE in a 34 chassis. Found it sitting at an engine builders with the 3 carbs and toploader, added the thunderbird covers and built the headers. Muzz
Man that's a work of art on its way. Very nice. Now if you guys could just drive on the correct side of the road I bet that bell housing was fun to find.
I was hoping you would show your engine, beautiful work. Where did you get the valve covers, those are neat! I am hoping my Mercury pent roofs will clear my Harland Sharps with Doug's POP stands and .620 lift. They should,but they have those baffle tubes that I might have to modify. It looks great! Did your ET drop some more? I was thinking you had been in the low.60's, if so congrats!
I generally don't go into vendor details, or reccomend specific folks, but this time I am going to make an exception. If you want an FE in your rod it doesn't have to be expensive. And here is some advice to reach that goal. I just wanted to say that my good friend Barry Rabotnick of Survival Motorsports has everything you will need to build an FE to fit your budget. He has a Prison Break stroker kit for the regular old 390 block, cylinder head and manifold options priced for regular guys all the way to full on NSS racing. He has the best deal out there, and he doesn't push junk out the door. You don't have to be a millionare to run a very stout traditional 50's engine. The FE is as good as anything (though I do love my Hemis but they are getting expensive to build) from the '50s, thanks to Barry, he is making them more cost effective all the time. Ungodly power that stands well up to many "modern" engines. If you are considering one call Barry first. He has finished strong with the FE at Engine Masters every year, and thats not bad for a traditional '50's engine. He also used to be with Federal Mogul and has more vendor connections than anyone you will meet. This is another cost saving factor. This is his website: http://www.survivalmotorsports.com/ Give him a call for needs with any engine, Chevys even, BTW. He knows where to get everything at a good price, and he's a great guy to work with, ethical as can be and a real gearhead like us. This isn't meant to be an ad, I have done business with Barry and I will personally vouch for him. It is in our best interests to give him a call, because he addressing the issue that has held the bread and butter FE back better than anyone, cubes/dollars.
I love the FE! Trust me it wasn't by choice at first, but it seemed like every car I have owned in the past 10 years had one in it. My 59 T-Bird has a 352, the 68 F-100 has a 360 and even the `60 panel truck had one. once a few people know I had 3 FE cars at once, the parts & spare motors started coming in because they didnt want "That POS FE motor" in their car. I plan on pulling the 360 out of the truck, swapping it for a 351, then build it into a 460 with a multi-carb set up and throwing into the T-bird.
I bought those valve covers from a buddy that had them made. I've since taken them off and have a set of Moroso sheet metals on it. Yes we've picked up a little bit. I think it will run even faster in the spring.
+1 for this! The car I learned to drive in was a '68 Galaxie 500 4-dr sedan with a 390 and FMX (thought it was a C6 until I did a filter and pan gasket swap and had to take the C6 parts back to the store!). It took a lot of adolescent abuse, including my early attempts at learning how to tune an engine, and finally was retired after 300K+ miles when the frame started to break apart from the rust!
I haven't, but Charles Crites might be able to help you. He makes a lot of conversion kits and headers. He also has a lot of knowlege that isn't listed on his site. I have dealt with him and he is a good guy. Talk to him though. The secretary doesn't know much. The Lincoln Y 317-368 is about the same size, so I doubt it will be that big of project if you are resourceful and handy. http://www.critesrestoration.com/galaxie.htm
Frame rust was a big problem on the '65-'68 Galaxie, but the body was anmazingly tight. We put another frame under my '65 from a '66 that didn't have any rust. Its a 352 Cruiso right now, but its up for some better things.
Geezzz,, This has been an Exhausting Job but what was necessary for my application. Yes every bend was necessary also. Now the starter comes right out without anything else being disconnected. My clutch linkage clears everything, and the steering has plenty of room. Nothing hangs below the frame. Getting them in and out of the Chassis is not so easy, Ya just got to get them in the right spot. 68 Hours start to finnish, wish I was getting paid by the hour. Holly Crap, now I half to get the rest of the Car ready for the Paint Shop. The Wizzard
Just some food for thought, the 1959 Edsel 361 valve covers are exactly the same as 427 R code valve covers. atleast thats what i've been told. FEs are probably Fords greatest engine, in terms of perfomance and reliability.
The one's I used came from Doug's Headers. I'll never recommend them again. The New management has a Screwed way of doing buisness. I do believe S.P.D. has them and all there bends are 16 gauge plus you will get everything you order not the B.S. Doug's hands out. I have also taken a flange gasket to a Fab Shop with a Plazma or Lazer cutter and had them burned out from the gasket. The Wizzard
S.P.D. Specialty Products Design Inc is in Rancho Cordova Ca. 916-635-8108. They are a top Quality Co. They also have a Bitchin Web site. The Wizzard
Thanks Wizzard....I am picking up a 390 C6 combo and I am going in blind stuffing it in my 56 mercury....hoping that the stock exhaust manifolds will work. I have pictures of a 390 stuffed in a 58 Ford and they used the stock exhaust manifolds. Skip
361ci FE in my Edsel and she can run up anyones ass on the highway. Just bought some really nice finned valve covers. I put a better 4 barrel Holley on her, and looking at getting some headers. When I get done robbing some old lady I will pick up an aluminum intake and heads. FE's RULE!
The Jalopy Journal
