Been trying to build the 390 for my 68 cougar for a while now and keep running into problems with the rear most main bearing with the thrust surface. It doesnt seem to matter what bearing set I buy, none of them will fit over the journal. So far I've tried clevite part numbers ms683p and ms685p and q sealed power that I cannot remember the part #, and they are too narrow to go over the journal in the block and seat. They will fit on the cap without any issue (a little snug, but pressed on by hand. Anyone ever come across this? Any suggestions?

I bought this car back in January and spent a lot of time getting the swapped in 302 (originally a 390 car) running just so I could drive it. Since then I have made up my mind I'd like to take back to an Fe block. I did a little searching and ended up with a truck 390 and c6 transmission for 500$. The engine was running and transmission shifting just fine the day before I bought the combo. Since I have stripped it down to bare block, and have the block at the machine shop being cleaned and magnafluxed. Once I get the word back from the machine shop, I'll have to decide what exactly I want to do. I'm a little torn, a part of me just wants to put together a performance 390, or bite the bullet and put a stroker kit in it. This will be the first engine I've ever attempted to build. I'd like just a good strong street motor that I might take to the strip once or twice a year just for the giggles. I've been doing a lot of reading and have been having trouble finding much in the way of a hot 390, everyone seems to be leaning towards strokers. Is there a reason for this? If anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears, trying to absorb as much information as I can before I start buying parts.