Making noise on 390 build

[gtxpress]

I posted this on the hotrod fe stroker forum but since it does not seem to get the traffic that is here, figured I better get more thoughts on the subject.

I have a 390 that showed pretty hefty leakdown figures in 7 and 8 (exhaust leaks) so I yanked the motor. Now trying to decide what to do with it. It has a Hydraulic cam that I have not gotten to yet to see what it is but lumpy enough that it would not run the PB (vacuum around 11.5 at most). It has Seal power L2291f .30 over pistons, stock stroke based on rough measurement down the hole with competition cams roller rockers. It is topped off with a 700-750 DP mech that is a make over from a 650. The CR with .41 head gaskets shows it is about an 8.5 CR.

A trip to the track showed it was a 14.70 car at 100. It is in a 67 S code FB that is very nice.
I have run across a set of Aluminum heads that are very reasonable and considering adding those to the mix. My main hold up at this point is really deciding what else to do with it. It seemed to run well and a dyno pull showed it was around 370 HP figuring .15 VE but seemed low on torque. The way it ran seemed to bear that out. It pulled well and would jazz up to 6k W/O float but felt better at shifting around 5500. Although I like the thought of more cubes, my concern (of course) is expense. I am not out to break the bank but rather trying to figure out how to get to 450-475 hp with a good 400-450 tq for down low grunt.

So where do we begin?

GT :?

[jayb]

Despite the cost, I would strongly recommend a 4.25" stroker kit.  You will get an easy 50+ foot pounds of extra torque out of the extra cubic inches, plus more cubes will pull harder on the intake tract and give you more vacuum with the same cam.  Also, I suspect that the hydraulic cam valvetrain is giving up around 5500 RPM, which is why it feels better when you shift it there.  Switch to a mild solid flat tappet, and with the extra cubes you should be able to hit your target.

The other thing to consider on the heads is how much will it cost to revamp the ones you have, vs. going to the aluminum heads that you mentioned.  The aluminum heads will probably flow a lot better, adding even more to the horsepower potential.

My budget 390 stroker article in Car Craft might be worth a read:
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/ccrp-0808-ford-390-fe/

Good luck on the project, and keep us updated on your plans - Jay

[gtxpress]

Thanks Jay.  I had already read both Barry's article and yours.  I have decided on the Aluminum heads and they appear to be setup for 2.03 I and 1.60 E with 72cc chambers.   What is the consensus on valvesize in Elderbrock  heads?  Also, when you buy a Scat or Eagle kit and they list Balanced Internally, are those balanced assemblies or just pointing to the fact that the assembly is a internal balanced assembly?  Does anyone sell a kit that is already balanced?  Thanks for the info and of course I will come here as the project develops. 

GT

[jayb]

Most of the aluminum heads are set up with Cobra Jet valves, 2.09 intake and 1.66 exhaust.  I'm pretty sure Barry sells a stroker kit that is pre-balanced, and all of them are designed to be internally balanced, so that the externally balanced flywheel is not required.

[Lenz]

I followed this particular route, both reading the articles and ultimately going with a fully prepped .030" block and stroker kit from Barry.  The kit had Scat crank and rods, Mahle pistons and all the goodies, balanced and ready to go.  I also went with the Ed Performer RPM heads, intakes are 2.09 as Jay stated.

Going the above route made it as easy as it gets, and at least in my book the "bang for the buck" is on the money.

[gtxpress]

Thanks.  I needed that bit of info.  Gives me strength to go forward even thou the ball and chain is not real happy about it. 
GT

[cammerfe]

Except for Jay's case (The two of them seem to be one-in-a-million) NO B&C is ever happy about any spending beyond basic transportation.

When I was a kid, my long-suffering Dad let me put a 312 in the family '54 Customline---it needed an engine. It took me several weeks part-time to get it finished and by that time he'd bought another car so he gave me the '54. The 312 ended-up with a 'C' cam, home-built headers, and a VS-59 blower on dual-quads.

KS

[Lenz]

A guy 3 doors up from me has a near perfect '53 Mainline, that 312 tuneup sounds like just the thing it needs, home made 50's style and ingenuity

On finance, I sold some junk to buy some stuff and the money I got paid for most of it ......  I think that's how I put it...........

[cammerfe]

Your neighbor's '53 will have a flathead in it. Although anything will fit into anything, you can probably put an FE in the '53 about as easily. There MUST be as much room as there is in a Mustang.

KS

[Lenz]

Your neighbor's '53 will have a flathead in it. Although anything will fit into anything, you can probably put an FE in the '53 about as easily. There MUST be as much room as there is in a Mustang.

KS

Best part about it is that it was his aunt's, he brought it home and did all the necessary prep associated with something that hasn't run since forever.  Fired it up and the wife walks in while it's idling away..  "did you try to start it yet?"  The thing is flat sweet.  I'm on board with the transplant, no shock towers   Him, not so much, he's a Mopar guy.  If things go my way, however......  And now, here we are, back to the finance stuff

[GJCAT427]

Lenz, an`it that a bitch on financing! Had to rethink on getting the Galaxie going for Beaver Springs, hood is done but I can`t get the car in my shop at work right now and its too dam cold to do it here at the house! Besides I need to do the trailer brakes and the diesel fuel leak before anything. Looks like the truck goes again!

[gtxpress]

Except for Jay's case (The two of them seem to be one-in-a-million) NO B&C is ever happy about any spending beyond basic transportation.

When I was a kid, my long-suffering Dad let me put a 312 in the family '54 Customline---it needed an engine. It took me several weeks part-time to get it finished and by that time he'd bought another car so he gave me the '54. The 312 ended-up with a 'C' cam, home-built headers, and a VS-59 blower on dual-quads.

KS

My first was my 69 mustang that had the lame 302 2-bbl.  My dad came home to discover that I had the whole thing apart and asked what I was doing.  After all it only had 20,000 miles on it.  I told him that it had a rod knocking and proceeded to clean up the bore with new pistons and camshaft setup plus a 4 speed.   It was a lot better contender after that.  At least it would stay ahead of the dusters of the day.  Mucho fun.

[gtxpress]

So a little more information.  I got around to tearing down the motor.  Currently it is;
390 stock stroke
Stock rods
Has sealpower 30 over flat top
68 heads. Stock
Pi manifold
750 holley DP
COMP 292H CAM
ROLLER ROCKERS
CR appeared to be around 9.3 or so
When I plugged it into a dcr it seemed lame at 7.5 or so

It ran good except seemed lite on low end torque that would  rev to 6k but it was on verge of floating.
I know jay said stroke it. But I am still fighting with myself over that and looking for thoughts about keeping stock stroke and adding the aluminum heads and maybe a different can setup.