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| Electronic Ignition -- Brett, 06/20/2002
Just putting out the feelers for an impending ignition conversion on my '67 390. Is the Pertronix Ignitor setup as straight forward as it seems? Does anyone else produce these conversion kits?
Thanks for the help! |
| How much Horsepower?... -- Duff, 06/20/2002
I'm thinking about buying a '64 Galaxie 500XL fastback and I'm curious as to how much horsepower the car is generating. I've only owned late 60's to 70's Ford Muscle Cars and have never thought about the full-sized perfromance Fords until now. I guess I don't want to be disappointed performance wise. Here's the info the owner gave me: It originally had a 1964 'Z' code 390-4V but was replaced with a 'P' code (police) 390 with the three 2V carb set-up. It also has the factory headers from a '62 406 motor. -I think everything internally is stock 'P' code (cam, ingition, etc.). The car has a 3.5 open rear axle and a toploader 4-speed. Can anyone give me the 'ballpark' HP/torque this car would be in? And would this car drive with enough muscle to back it's awesome looks or would some aftermarket goodies be needed? (...I'm not looking for a drag strip car - just a car that can "hold it's own" on the street.) I haven't seen or driven the car yet and I was hoping to gather as much info as I can before I do. He's asking "big-bucks" for this frame-off restored car and I want to get what I'm paying for, (Don't we all?!). Thanks. |
| | RE: How much Horsepower?... -- Joel, 06/20/2002
A 390 6V was rated at 401HP in '61-'62 and 340HP in '63. Both at 430lb/ft torque. It should have pleny of brawn to backup the bark. That's a 2 ton car though. |
| | | Hold it's own on the street? -- P, 06/20/2002
I'm driving the fastest car sold in the USA in 1983 to work every day (928-S) and there are V-6 econo-boxes out there right now that can zoom 0-60 as fast or faster than that car. Things have come a long way.
So beware, "holding it's own" on the streets may be a figure of speech, but there will be a zillion cars out there that are faster, even despite the awesome power of the big block.
Now, as then, weight is what kept Ford from seeing the true potential of some of these fine engines. Pontiac put a big block in a light weight car and had a lot to crow about. Ford eventually but their big blocks in smaller cars, but the full size cars are rather heavy.
Having a 1964 Ford with a 390 would be awesome enough, just to play with the historic machinery and listen to the sounds, feel the power, etc. I wouldn't get too excited about stoplight racing, as you'll find the new Toyotas and Nissans to be more than a match when it comes to the stopwatch. Don't worry, they are no match when it comes to class, as a matter of fact, you won't find much on the streets at all that has anywhere near the class of a 64 Ford with a big block (except for a 63, or a 65, or a 66, perhaps a 67 or 68?)
The 390 is an awesome engine, but it's hauling a lot of iron around too in that big Ford. Gotta love em!
P
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| | | | RE: Hold it's own on the street? -- Rob, 06/21/2002
Alright, but your talking a V6 with how much money put in it? You gotta dump grands to make a nissan or mazda any faster than factory.... I feel the biggest bang for your buck is a Mustang 5.0.....(Boy im gonna get crap for that one LOL)
Now back to FE's... that 410hp is old rating.. your looking at around 320 now... so if your thinking about blowing the doors off a new cobra, trans am, Z28, think again.. 2 ton at 320hp ain't gonna beat them... but its a good bit of power :) Im getting low 15's with a 3800lb car at about 290 new rating , ain't bad since the motor is stock
And no matter how fast you are.. there's always someone faster.. unless your john force... :)
JMO Rob |
| | | | | RE: Hold it's own on the street? -- Duff, 06/21/2002
Thanks for replies. However, I think I might have been misleading with what my intentions were with the car. I never intend (if I buy the car) to race anybody! - If I wanted to do that I'd still own my 5.0 Mustang. I just wanted to know if the set-up would be 'respectable' enough & not just be "all bark and no bite". I do know something about the old vs. new performance. I currently own a '70 Torino GT (351-4V) and while it may not be as fast as my 5.0 was, the 'grin factor' is much better. As far as the nissans, mazdas and the like are concerned, IMO these cars don't even deserve to share the same asphalt with this car. I couldn't care less if those cars run 12 second E.T.'s they'll never stir the emotions like the classics do. |
| | | | | | RE: Hold it's own on the street? -- Martin, 06/21/2002
I drive a 69 Cougar XR7 convertible with a 390PI every day and used to own a 63 Galaxie. Nobody who appear in their right mind seek out trafic light races against me, so the issue of "fast enough" has not been a problem. A few crazies have sought to race me, but I just ignore them and let them go, as they seem to have very little regard for their safety or mine. If you like powerful sixties Fords, go ahead and get the 64 Galaxie. I loved my 63. |
| | | | | | | RE: Hold it's own on the street? -- Tim B, 06/21/2002
Hey Martin, I've got a 69 Cougar XR7 convertible 428CJ. GRRRRR8 cars! Being a heavier convert with C6, A/C and several other options it's not a 'drag' Cat. I'll let Royce do that in his lighter Cougar 68 CJ.
BTW check out: http://www.egroups.com/community/CLASSIC-COUGARS
My first car was a 64 Galaxie 500 2 dr ht. 390 4bbl auto.....way back in 1972! Even back then by buddy's 64 383 Sport Fury was faster, but my Galaxie was faster than another friends 65 383 Plymouth VIP. They can be fast enough for almost anybody. 63-64 Galaxies are very popular collectibles. You can't go wrong if it's in good shape. They are built like tanks, very well constructed, if a little heavier compared to the competition of it's day.
Tim B 1969 XR7 428 CJR convertible http://hometown.aol.com/timbrands/Cougar.html |
| 428 CJ Auto Flywheel Question?? -- J. Wofford, 06/20/2002
Can somebody tell me what the Correct Ford Part # is ?? AND where can I get a Ford Parts Book or Books that have these kind of Part #'s ? Thanks JW |
| | | Do not buy a factory flexplate. Buy the Pioneer. -- James/Onery2u, 06/22/2002
The factory flexplates are going for as much as $250. Ford quite making them a few years ago so Pioneer picked up the ball and makes a good one for about $80 Oriely's. I have been running the Pioneer flexplate for 6500 miles now and have no complaints. Thought I would save you some money. |
| | | | James thanks for the tip, CHEERS.N/M -- pop428, 06/22/2002
N/m |
| FE Engine question -- Tony Sanchez, 06/19/2002
I am currently restoring my 1972 Gran Torino Sport fastback, 351 2V cleveland FMX. The question I have is I am converting it to a 4 barrel set up non-4V heads just intake / Carb only. I recently purchased a used factory Ford air cleaner with a factory chrome top which has the following on it: 351 4V Regular Fuel The rest of the housing is Ford Blue. The air cleaner is significantly larger than my factory 1972 Ford 351 2V unit, can anyone tell me is the 4V air cleaner the correct one for my Torino or does it go on a larger or later model car? Thank you |
| adjustable rocker adjustment (hyd. lifters) -- Matt, 06/19/2002
I know how to adjust these, (zero lash +1/2 turn). My only question is, should I do it with the engine warm or cold, does it make a difference? |
| | Not with hydrolics. -- James/Onery2u, 06/22/2002
There is a sequence that should be followed that goes beyond the half turn rule of thumb. There is a place on the balancer that is marked with an XX that you should rotate the engine to before you put the rocker assemblies on. This is a place where the cam has no lobes pointing straight at the lifters making it easer to install them. Your new lifters should have a set of instructions that will cover the proper way to do it. If you just slap the lifters in and do the half turn on every one without the cam being rotated to the heal of the cam lobe then you will not get a good adjustment and risk having a noisy lifter adjustment or premature cam failer due to being to tight. Hydrolics are pretty forgiving but I wouldn't take the chance. I know you didn't want an article but I wish someone would have told me about all this before I trashed a cam. Live and learn. |
| Solenoid Wiring -- Bruce Botti, 06/19/2002
Does anyone have a picture or diagram of a 4 post (two side/two top) solenoid that will show me what each post is for. It is for a 67 Ford Galaxie with a 390. The new one has no markings, and the old one was missing when I purchased the car. Thanks in advance! Bruce |
| | RE: Solenoid Wiring -- Barry B, 06/19/2002
Bruce, here's a cropped wiring diagram (hope it comes out ok). With the solenoid in front of you and the mounting bracket at the top, the big post on the left goes to the battery, the big post to the right goes to the starter. The little post on the left is the "S" for starter. It receives +12 volts from the ignition switch with the key in the "start" position. The little post on the right is the "I" for ignition. It bypasses the resistor wire and sends +12 volts to the + side of the coil when the solenoid is activated.
Just a point of interest, you can read the + coil voltage on the "I" post instead of going directly to the coil.
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| | | RE: Solenoid Wiring -- Bruce Botti, 06/20/2002
Hawkrod/Barry, Thanks, you guys are the best! Bruce |
| | RE: Solenoid Wiring -- hawkrod, 06/19/2002
hi, i do not have a pic but here is a basic rundown; holding teh solenoid with the mount at the back and the two small posts facing you right big terminal is starter motor cable, left big terminal is battery supply cable, small right post is little brown wire with push on terminal (post should have a little I for ignition bypass), small left post is little red wire (usually has blue stripe) with push on terminal (post should have S for start) now it gets dicey based on the options your car has....if you have one wire left with a ring on it, it goes with the battery supply wire, if you have two or three wires look and see if one comes from the alternator harness, if it does it also goes on the battery post if it doesn't put it on the battery post and see if you accy dash lights are lit if they are take the wire off and put it on the starter side of the solenoid (that wire feeds some lights so that they go on while cranking to make sure the bulbs are good. if you have a hood light it also goes on the battery side big post. good luck, hawkrod |
| Cobra jet? where did this name originate?n/m -- pop428, 06/18/2002
n/m |
| | RE: Cobra jet? where did this name originate?n/m -- james, 06/18/2002
I used to know this one. I believe the interview with the engineer over the Cobra Jet project was done back in the early nineties in which he told all this kind of information. The magazine's name was Mustangs and Fabulous Fords. The magazine is no longer around but the interview was a Cobra Jet lovers dream to read. I had it but gave it to a Cobra Jet owner who I no longer can get ahold of. The cover had a blue 70 Torino and a 67 Mustang on the cover going down the road. That is all I remember about it. I am sure one of the others in the forum will remeber this magazine and hopefully have a copy of it. |
| | | RE: Cobra jet? where did this name originate?n/m -- mikeb, 06/19/2002
It says the Cobra Jet was the creation of Ford Chief Engine engineer Hank Lenox.(that may mean the engine, not the name) It says during the 1967 season, Lenox and fellow engineers Joe Balcerowiak, Bill Barr and others worked on race engines for Fran Hernandez, Ford's sedan racing manager. When the Engine&Foundry Division began reducing its engine design and development work, Lenox and Barr was transferred into the Cobra Jet Engine Group to work on production based engines. Yes that was an interesting article for cobra jet fans, it mentions the 8v cobra jet that ran 10.94 @125.86. The article says that the Cobra Jet proved to be the most successful engine of any type in Super Stock racing, taking more class wins than the "invincible" 426 Hemi. The best I remember for the name itself was an engineer who after testing the incarnation, said it was faster than a jet, and the Cobra name was already around and very prominent, so they just combined the two. Dunno if thats true, but I read something like that once. You have a good memory, as that is whats on the cover, for the record it is the October 1993 issue of Fabulous Mustangs and Exotic Fords. |
| | | | Sounds about right thanks heaps, Mike.n/m -- pop428, 06/19/2002
n/m |
| | | | Man, I wish I knew that when I worked for Hank... -- Dan Davis, 06/19/2002
...at that time he was head of Climate Control Division. Had no idea he had that background. Super guy, tho'.
Dan |
| | | | | Me too! -- Bill Conley, 06/19/2002
I wasn't aware of Hank's race engine background, though I did know that "Joe B" was a true gearhead.
Joe gave me a copy of a cammer shop manual when I got the FE bug. (Just to whet my appetite...)
-Bill
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| | | | RE: Cobra jet? where did this name originate?n/m -- james, 06/19/2002
If you ever get an itch to sell that magazine Mike I want first dibs on it now that I own a 428 car. I never thought that I would ever have an original 428 car so I, more or less, gave it to someone who did. I used to pray at night when these cars were new for one. My dad was a car salesman and brought one home one time. He won top salesman that month and was allowed to bring home a neet car every so often. Out of all of them, this one stuck with me. It took 28 years for God to answer that prayer. I had even forgotten about it...but God didn't. |
| | | | | i used to buy anything that said cobra-jet or FE -- mikeb, 06/19/2002
in it back in those days if I saw it, but I'm sure many slipped past me |
| | | | | | Mike, how about? -- pop428, 06/20/2002
...a copy of the text. I too have recently purchased a 69' Mach 1 428cj r, and would really like to read the article. A photo copy would be really great, I'd send you some money to cover your costs as well as shipping as I live in Australia. And the chances of me coming accross a copy of the mag are next to no chance! |
| 427 cam specs? -- Joshua Carroll, 06/18/2002
I have a NOS Ford 427 Mech cam that I need the specs on to degree the cam and set the lash. It is Ford part number C4AE 6250-B. As always the info and help are appreciated! Thanks and have a great day.
Josh |
| FE engine ?? -- BF, 06/17/2002
What FE engine can I install in my "65" 289 coupe/with some impressive HP? |
| 351 2v C -- Fenris, 06/17/2002
hi! I'm looking for some help with my 1970 MACH 1 stang. I put in a duel Electric fan, removed the old fan. now i need to put in a fan (ground) temp switch. What is the runing temp range for a 351C 2v ? what temp should the fan kick on? then kick off? thanks for any help. |
| | RE: 351 2v C -- Gerry Proctor, 06/19/2002
While this is a forum for an entirely different engine...the FE series, your question is applicable to any engine. You probably want the fans to turn on by 210 to 215 degrees and switch off about five degrees above your thermostat rating. What you're trying to achieve is to have the fans running the minimum amount of time necessary to keep the engine at a safe operating temperature. If you set them to come on at too low a temperature and run until the engine is below the thermostat's minimum operating temperature, the fans will essentially be running all the time -even when roaring down the highway at 70mph when they certainly shouldn't be on. |
| | | RE: 351 2v C -- Fenris, 06/19/2002
opps! sorry, did not mean to bother ya guys about my stuff, I was surffing around and came across your forum. thank you for your time and info. =) Now, if i can only find that 351c forum................. |
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