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Original Message
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| Yup, this motor was MADE for mods. |
| By Dave Shoe - 07/26/2001 4:39:01 PM; IP 12.2.11.131 |
In 1968, Ford could no longer make hot-cammed and hot carbed engines without piling on expensive pollution control equpment. It was getting tought to sell performance cars in 1968 (due to market saturation and insurance costs), so Ford saw fit to make a low-cost engine option which could wake right up if aftermarket "intake/cam kit/headers" were bolted on.
The number one failing of any 390 engine in a unibody car is the exhaust manifolds. You really NEED to upgrade to CJ exhaust manifolds or FPA "GT type" (low-flange) headers. Don't use Hookers, as they are not compatible with your C8AE-H heads.
Note the standard Edelbrock Performer intake won't buy you much performance. It's mainly a lightweight stock intake, not a big breather at all. Go for the Edelbrock RPM intake and a 600CFM carb - 700 if you plan to add a cam.
Because that engine got a mild cam and valve springs, and because it's now a free-breathing engine, it's a good idea to stick a nice cam kit into it. Yup, this does mean you've got to upgrade the valve springs, and naturally toss out the old lifters, but it'll make your 390 into the road menace it was always intended to be. 400 quiet horsepower is simple in this configuration.
Note that you may need to replace the valves because "performance" spring retainers often require stem locks with grooves in different positions. If so, you might consider dropping some stock CJ-sized valves into the head to eliminate any valve recession which has occured over the past 33 years due to overly aggressive valve jobs or general wear.
Shoe. |
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