New Guy New to the FE

[blueoval390]

Ì wanted introduce myself as a new member, so thanks JB for approving my membership and hello FE world. .    So I buy this 63 Galaxie with a 390 in it, and first thing i say it needs is more Power(say it like tim the tool man taylor), and until I can find and afford a 427 I’ll be adding these items.


390 GT 335HP/390 cam (FMC #C6OZ-6250-B)
Duration at 050 inch Lift:
206 int./220 exh.

Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio:
0.487 int./0.496 exh
115 Lobe to be installed at 111
  Factory A1AE 6090A heads w/CJ intake and exhaust valves
New springs with .600 Max lift
Harden valve seats

Kugel exhaust manifolds

So I have been reading about this engine and learned a lot here on this forum and my question is before install are there any changes you guys would make to improve the top end

 Thanks. Ron

[TJ]

Impact of these part substitutions was interesting.  You can do a search on Junky Junk and follow the iterations.  You have just a few more cubes than Junky Junk so might have to adjust some things for that.

https://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=8113.msg89348#msg89348

[DuckRyder]

When you say top end - tope end of the engine hardware or top end power?

[blueoval390]

ill check it out TJ.    DuckRyder the engine

[1964Fastback]

I'm sure a custom cam would give the most power, but if you are wanting to stay more factory, you might look at the slightly hotter C8AX-6250-C cam.  Lots of info online but here's a link:

https://www.428cobrajet.org/id-cam

I have a copy of this cam in my '64 390 from Oregon Cams.  A little lope, not bad, but might be marginal if you have power brakes.  My setup has 13" of vacuum at idle (900 RPM, timing at 14-16 degrees).  I'm running a tri-power but I don't think that would make much difference at idle.

What kind of intake?  You'll want something aluminum at least, if for no other reason than to spare your back once you have the original cast iron one off if it's still there. 

Pat

[blueoval390]

Thanks Pat for your response. The intake is the edelbrock Performer RPM.  My timing is 12  witn 24 built in on the pertronix 2 dizzy with pwr brakes.  discs front drums rear. 

[Dr Mabuse]

I'm sure a custom cam would give the most power, but if you are wanting to stay more factory, you might look at the slightly hotter C8AX-6250-C cam.  Lots of info online but here's a link:

https://www.428cobrajet.org/id-cam

I have a copy of this cam in my '64 390 from Oregon Cams.  A little lope, not bad, but might be marginal if you have power brakes.  My setup has 13" of vacuum at idle (900 RPM, timing at 14-16 degrees).  I'm running a tri-power but I don't think that would make much difference at idle.

What kind of intake?  You'll want something aluminum at least, if for no other reason than to spare your back once you have the original cast iron one off if it's still there. 

Pat

That cam is OK with a wide ratio 4 speed, but with a C6, he would need a high(er) stall torque converter, especially in a "heavy" car. Yes, I am sure there are better choices.

[My427stang]

If the engine is together and in the car, the first thing I would do is make sure you’re getting wide open throttle using your foot in your seating position.   You’d be amazed how many people don’t get full throttle

Next, I would look at your timing curve and make sure that you have a performance curve, it won’t change peak horsepower a lot unless it’s very retarded but it certainly changes how it feels rowing the gears and driving around town. Most of the time a stock distributor needs work and almost always an aftermarket is conservative.

After that, I would make sure that the gearing matches your driving style. And then I’d go inside and start thinking about camshaft heads Intake whatever you need after you’ve got the base squared away.

[blueoval390]

The trans is a C4 with 3.00 gears marked on the center diff tag wbs ab.  Looks like a 9 in and I can’t directly get to the bottom to bolts with a screwdriver.    Heard that was an indicator of a nine rear. Could be wrong.   At 60mph it is 2.1k rpm. Checking the throttle and gas was the first thing I did because I thought damn this car is slooooooooooooow!  Lol. Maybe the pedal is not fully engaged.   So I changed it a realized the car is just got no pop.   Then I thought timing.  So that will be addressed when new harmonic balancer is installed with cam and all.   

[mike7570]

If you’re seriously considering a 427 build for the car I would only add parts to the current 390 that could be swapped over to the 427. Things like headers, distributor, carb, valve train etc. A lot of parts fit both. I wouldn’t want to purchase new parts twice.