A guy offered me a full 390, currently disassembled for basically nothing today. If it works out (as in, he doesn't change his mind) what should I do with it? Should I sell it, or swap it into my '68 coupe? Any ideas?
Might be getting a 390...
- Thread starter skywalker
- Start date
Route666
Active Member
Rebuild and sell is what I'd do. I don't have any real affections for any kind of motor. I'd rather sell it and spend the money on a lighter 302, with 331 stroker, etc.
Doesn't need a build...just needs to be assembled...that's the beauty of it.
I don't have particular effections either, but I know it will fit in my '68, can be stroked, and could make alot of power over my 289.
I don't have particular effections either, but I know it will fit in my '68, can be stroked, and could make alot of power over my 289.
Route666
Active Member
LMan
Founding Member
Id either pass on it or sell it pronto.
To put it in your car, youd need new exh manifolds and exh hookup, motor mounts, all new accessory bracketry, radiator considerations, plugs are a b*tch to change, the list goes on. All for a motor that stock, weighs at least 150-175 lbs more than your current motor and one a hot 289 would beat in the 1/4 darn near every time.
Did I mention the extra weight wont help your handling?
If you want a stroker, stroke what you have (so to speak
). JMO.
To put it in your car, youd need new exh manifolds and exh hookup, motor mounts, all new accessory bracketry, radiator considerations, plugs are a b*tch to change, the list goes on. All for a motor that stock, weighs at least 150-175 lbs more than your current motor and one a hot 289 would beat in the 1/4 darn near every time.
Did I mention the extra weight wont help your handling?
If you want a stroker, stroke what you have (so to speak
). JMO.
jerry S
New Member
if it were I in your place
I would stroke it to 427. That way, you'd have a true BB 427 and not a SB with negative rod ratios. That's just me, what I'd do in your place.
I would stroke it to 427. That way, you'd have a true BB 427 and not a SB with negative rod ratios. That's just me, what I'd do in your place.
LMan said:Id either pass on it or sell it pronto.
To put it in your car, youd need new exh manifolds and exh hookup, motor mounts, all new accessory bracketry, radiator considerations, plugs are a b*tch to change, the list goes on. All for a motor that stock, weighs at least 150-175 lbs more than your current motor and one a hot 289 would beat in the 1/4 darn near every time.
Did I mention the extra weight wont help your handling?
If you want a stroker, stroke what you have (so to speak
But wouldn't a stroked, hot 390 beat the crap out of a hot 289 on the the 1320?
Ronstang said:
You can stroke it further than 427 actually...though I don't think I'd go further than that. Ronstang, what are you thoughts on the whole matter?
Even a stock 390 would beat a 289 provided you had the traction to keep the tires from going up in smoke.skywalker said:
I had a stock 67 fastback 390 Stang that had a 3 speed Toploader, 3.00 geared 9 inch ( open diff) It would run low 14's just the way it was. Another plus is the look the other guy gives when you pop the hood. Nothin like a big block to get peoples attention. You don't need to stroke a 390, just give it a healthy cam,a 10 to 1 comp ratio, a little pocket porting, a set of FPA headers, a 428PI intake, 750 Holley and you've got all the power you'll need. You can spend the money you'll have left over for motor mounts, and stiffer springs. And for the guy who posted that big block Stangs can't be made to handle, I can say from experience, that you're dead wrong.
D.Hearne said:Even a stock 390 would beat a 289 provided you had the traction to keep the tires from going up in smoke.
I agree. I already have 620s, so I can't imagine I need to get much stiffer than that...at least not for my purposes (hi performance street machine mostly...) I'm just wondering if in the long run I might be better to sell it to get something better. Since it is already disassembled, and it wouldn't get installed for awhile, why not stroke it now?
67GTA-FB429 said:
Not to mention I could use some of those crane roller lifters that allow you to use any standard roller camshaft...
LMan
Founding Member
SandSprite
Member
IIRC, I think you can only stroke a 360/390 to 410 by using a 428 crank. I don't think you can bore it enough to get 427/428. Could be wrong though.
My 2 cents is to keep a small block. Is that T5 really gonna work behind a FE? By the time you're done upgrading the drivetrain and the 390, you could have made the 289 really nice. Also, you will have some "downtime" while swapping, 'cause we all know things never go perfectly.
Then again, this is all "what-if?"-- you don't even know if you're getting it yet.
My 2 cents is to keep a small block. Is that T5 really gonna work behind a FE? By the time you're done upgrading the drivetrain and the 390, you could have made the 289 really nice. Also, you will have some "downtime" while swapping, 'cause we all know things never go perfectly.
Then again, this is all "what-if?"-- you don't even know if you're getting it yet.
True. I'm supposed to find out tomorrow. If I kept it, it wouldn't be a short term project...I wouldn't evens tart on it until probably october.
