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FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Dubs1 on October 16, 2018, 11:51:14 AM

Title: Used 390 c.i. purcahse?
Post by: Dubs1 on October 16, 2018, 11:51:14 AM

Chris  up at Shelby restorations   in NE Nebraska  has a stock, running,  dated 68 390 for sale. Runs and  sounds great.  Pistons check revealed 7 with 150 +-  a pound, one hole  at 120, Edelbrock streetmaster intake, original C8 4V carb, flywheel, no clutch, stock cam and lifters, no smoke even tho we ran it for about 20 minutes. He's asking  2K.  Is that about a right price?  Too expensive?  A deal?

Pls advise

All the best

Dubs  in Denver    .

Title: Re: Used 390 c.i. purcahse?
Post by: FrozenMerc on October 16, 2018, 12:41:51 PM

At the end of the day, it is a used motor, pay accordingly.  If you went and bought a 390 block and built that motor, you would likely have much more then $2K into it, but being used, it could take a dump at any time, and then you are staring at a $4K to $6K rebuild.  Hearing it run helps, but there is still an element of risk involved. 

A buddy of mine bought a 292 Y-Block that "sounded great and didn't smoke".  It lasted 200 miles before it lost oil pressure and took out the mains.  I tore it apart for him and found that whomever put it together didn't like gaskets.  They used a ton of RTV and a few chunks broke off and plugged up the oil gallies and drain back, filling the valve covers with the oil and starving the pump. 

Title: Re: Used 390 c.i. purcahse?
Post by: cjshaker on October 16, 2018, 07:14:35 PM

If by "stock" you mean never rebuilt, and I'm assuming here since you said stock cam and lifters, then $2k is overpriced in my opinion. If it's a complete "dated" '68 4v engine out of something like a Mustang, Fairlane or Cougar, then it MAY be worth it to someone who needs all the correct components for a factory restoration. But that would include the intake, air cleaner assembly and all the small hard to find parts.

Now if he did a rebuild on it, and can verify that with receipts and showing the machine work done, then that would be different.

Title: Re: Used 390 c.i. purcahse?
Post by: mbrunson427 on October 17, 2018, 08:26:48 AM

What kind of car do you have? Is there a specific reason you were interested in the '68? I have a complete 390 in the barn that I'd like to sell. It's a 63 Z code Galaxie engine, all together, don't think it's ever been taken apart. I'm in Dacono/Fort Lupton.

Title: Re: Used 390 c.i. purcahse?
Post by: Dubs1 on October 17, 2018, 03:31:26 PM

Thanks fellas

Appreciate your input.  Don't know if its been rebuilt.  Will pull the pan, rod brgs etc  and see if inserts are dated, pan gasket history etc...
Its going in a 67 S code FB.

Thanks again

Larry

Title: Re: Used 390 c.i. purcahse?
Post by: FElony on October 17, 2018, 06:08:49 PM

Quote from: Dubs1 on October 17, 2018, 03:31:26 PM

Thanks fellas

Appreciate your input.  Don't know if its been rebuilt.  Will pull the pan, rod brgs etc  and see if inserts are dated, pan gasket history etc...
Its going in a 67 S code FB.

Thanks again

Larry

If this is supposed to be a correct resto, a '68 engine ain't gonna cut it. If not, I still think that's too expensive.