need sheetmetal - valve covers, oil pan, etc. This engine was built several years ago and will have to be disassembled and reasembled but it was done by a reputable ol' guy. Questions: are these 59'-60' engines decent for rodding...not racing...rodding? Where can I get eye-candy such as multiple carb 4x2, 2x4, 6x2 manifolds? The rebuilt heads allow for 3 exhaust ports and not 4 like I'm used to, and oh yeah, where can I get the sheetmetal ???? Thanks Tom
Do a search on Google for Ford FE engines...lots of stuff available. Also see it on ebay all the time
Not exactly sheetmetal, but Obrien Truckers (also an Alliance Vendor) has valley covers and several types of air cleaners. I bought Offenhauser valve covers from Hot Rod Heaven in Washington. $150 less expensive than ones I was bidding on on the bay and I didn't get sniped. He also shipped them to SC amazingly fast, like the next afternoon. At no extra charge. Other stuff can be found at a salvage yard and powder coated.
Levis Classic... he said a CAD engine... not ford. From my experience, I wouldn't rod or race a 390. It's got plenty of power in stock form, and doesnt like to be over-revved or over taxed. I had my original 390 rebuilt about 2 years ago, and did a little roddin and racin, and then a tow trip, and it bit the dust. I think if I'd just run it like any other car, and taken a lil more time with the tow job, I'd still be runnin like a top. As for go-fast goodies, they are out their, but damned expensive. I've seen a 3x2 intake w/ carbs and air cleaner go for upwards of 2500, and other strange configurations, home-made stuff go for similar prices. 390's are good strong engines from what I hear (my opinion is different), and pretty much bulletproof if you keep the oil clean, rpm's below 6000, and keep the carb tuned properly at ALL times. a rich or lean condition can wear these suckers out FAST. They have a piston that only has 3 rings, and is subject to wear. Once the rings start to go, they go fast, and piston's slap and can shatter. So... I hope this helps a bit. Best of luck with your 390... personally I'm lookin for another block, and a job to pay for it Peace Chris
Pieces like intakes, valve covers, and camshafts are interchangeable from '49-'62, but if you want to bolt a standard transmission to it, you'll pay and pay dearly.
moon has them and the valley cover pic of set i have sitting on the shelf waiting for someone to buy them along with the dual quad set up i have
What do you mean, "waiting for someone to buy them along with the dual quad set up I have."? Wanna PM me?????
i have a 390 as well..... so as long as you cruise it your fine? i plan on putting it in my 54 Caddy w/ the stock trans as well.... i have been told to look for a 500 motor but i'm not looking to race or hotrod around town. i just want to cruise.
Oh that is just too much to look at. My 62 caught on fire last year but I got it out in time to save the car...still looking for a good hood though. What happend to your car? damn....I have to go cry now
Here's a link to me wailing on a built 390. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121990 Edelbrock CA-6 intake with 6 strombergs...yes they all work 510 310 cam...it's a Howards Cams regrind of a stock cam Vertex magneto...no further explanation required .202 stainless intake valves .184 stainless exhuast valves...make 'em fit Edelbrock finned aluminum valve covers...harder than hell to find Wilcap trans adapter with a Turbo 400 auto 3300 stall converter, race clutches, shift kit I just built this one and put it in my 30 model a coupe. Got another 390 in my '59 coupe deville with the same trans adapter set up that I rebuilt 250,000 miles ago and the thing still runs like a champ...and I haven't been super nice to that mill either...I'll try to find you a pic of the model a mill while it was still on the stand...
CadillacKid: Thanks...just was I wuz looking fer! I'm now going back to discuss price with this gentleman! Where did you get all the chrome stuff????? Thanks, Tom
No problem on the pics. As for the chrome stuff, well that was a long process of me taking stuff to the chromer and spending more money than I shoud have. Oh well, you only go around once, right?
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