Backyard 390 Boat build~

[Ford428CJ]

Ok... Remember I said that I was going to do a backyard 390 build for my boat!? Well.... It is underway! No pun intended LOL. I just ordered up a Comp Cam XE274H for it. So, I will be buying up parts a little at a time here. I'll do a big write up on it for you guys.Showing that you can have fun and do it on the cheap! Not all of us can afford top shelf stuff.




Got the springs from Earl H a few years back. So the springs are used but not for very long....

Stop by the machine shop and found out what the spring pressures where on the seat and open. About 130lbs on the seat and 330lbs open @ .575 lift. With a 1.76 Blue Racer roller tip rocker is what I will be using with POP's stands & end supports....

Without the inner spring @ .575 lift was 220lbs. So with that said. I will break in the cam without the inner spring then. I have to give it all the chances in the world to live!
Next, we will test the Rockwell hardness of the lifters from Comp Cams. See what happens here.....

Rob at blue Oval Performance hooked up another FE vendor up! I ordered up a set of Crower SPECIAL HI-LUBE HYD LIFTERS for this. They are shipped and I hope to see the stuff here next week sometime.

[jayb]

Wes, is that you in the boat?  How come you're not wearing your life jacket?     Looking forward to the build details...

[Ford428CJ]

Yep! That's me in the boat. I should be wearing one but it isn't required in California nor Oregon.

As for the build.... Simple and easy LOL. Maybe a little head porting to do.....

[Ford428CJ]

Have some updates here soon for everyone... Just been stupid busy

[Ford428CJ]

Here is the cam and specs that I will be running in the boat. I will be using the Crower Lifters for a few reasons. They have a little harder face and a small flat spot on the side of the lifter. Allow a little more oil between the lifter and the cam.

[Ford428CJ]

Having some issues with posting pictures on here

[Ford428CJ]

Here is what the flat side looks like.

[Ford428CJ]

For all you flat tappet cam guys. This is a must have tool for your FE toolbox!
It's a spring compressor that works on the heads if they are installed. Here is what's in the kit. The cool part is, it will take 750 pounds of spring pressure with no deflection. That is super cool!
Super nice kit! I will let you all know how it works out. Seems to be a very stout kit!

[Tommy-T]

Hey...uh...Wes

Isn't a "hot FE" supposed to have a solid lifter cam?

Just bust'n yer balz from an old schooler!

I'm come'n your way in a couple of weeks. You up for a visitor?

[Nightmist66]

I used that same spring compressor on mine a few months ago. Easily the best in car/installed head spring compressor for the FE. I loved it. Sorry, photos are low quality. One thing I will note, the rope did not work for me no matter how I tried, thus the air holder in the pic.

[Ford428CJ]

Hey Tommy-T! If I am in town.... You bet your bottom dollar! Would love to have you over. My plan is to hit Shasta Lake on the first big weekend in September. Blast me an email... Would you!?   HillsideAuto@charter.net Uncle is working on the Stang and hopes of dumping in the Poor Mans this coming Spring/Summer time. Stay posted!

Well.... All my solid roller cams I have is waaaay to big for this cheap thrill of a ride!  Don't think it would be a Family fun thing anymore at that point.

[Ford428CJ]

That's a good thing to know Nightmist66! Lucky for me, I have all the room in the world... Just because of it being in a boat LOL

[Ford428CJ]

I got a bunch more to post tonight on this..... Stay tuned

[cjshaker]

Hey Wes, do you know if that spring compressor works on the beehive springs?

[Ford428CJ]

Doug , it might! Do you have a width of the retainer? I can measure and see