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Dave's 390 Build

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  • Anders
    Super-Experienced
    • Jan 19 2008
    • 2213

    #46
    Pretty is not enough. I am sitting here, drawling over everything, and don´t know if I dare to ask Dave what the engine & tranny will land on....
    sigpic..."Lil darling Ruth":)
    http://www.tbirdregistry.com/#33158

    Comment

    • simplyconnected
      Administrator
      • May 26 2009
      • 8779

      #47
      Anders, they will land on Australian shores in crates labled, "Bill Knighton, Perth".

      Penelope will pull his 352/COM from one of his Squarebirds, and replace same with a freshly overhauled and special built 390 & C-6 combination I call SWEETIE-PIE.

      Check out the progression on Bill's block. CLICK HERE
      Member, Sons of the American Revolution

      CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.

      "We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
      --Lee Iacocca

      From: Royal Oak, Michigan

      Comment

      • Anders
        Super-Experienced
        • Jan 19 2008
        • 2213

        #48
        Originally posted by simplyconnected
        Anders, they will land on Australian shores in crates labled, "Bill Knighton, Perth".
        Ah , I was more trying to figure out what the total budget is for this exercise. I got the feeling that you are the one doing the whole overhaulin, or just part of it?
        A collegue of me, a real Ford freak, hade someone in USA building him a a 429 cobra engine to his ´59 Ranchero. He already have a Torino Cobra with the same engine, and seems to like that His wife have a ´55 bird...
        I´m at home, ill this week, but I can get details from him about who build it and so on next week when I´m back.
        sigpic..."Lil darling Ruth":)
        http://www.tbirdregistry.com/#33158

        Comment

        • simplyconnected
          Administrator
          • May 26 2009
          • 8779

          #49
          Anders, the idea of this build is so it may be a direct replacement for but more modern version of the stock 352. I'm not going for lots of cubic inches, but the 390 parts are much more available and cheaper than 352 parts.

          This is a custom build which always means 'more money'. The final product will be an engine that uses regular octane gasohol or gasoline, can be run in any Australian desert all day long, and uses regular name-brand dinosaur oil commonly found in stores. It should also outlast any OEM Thunderbird engine; like any modern engine, it should stretch 250.000 miles before her next overhaul.

          The only improvement that could really benefit this engine is Electronic Fuel Injection, and I would add that in a minute if the FE was easier and cheaper to do (like a SBF because so many came with EFI). My 351W is EFI, going into my '55 Ford.

          This is a very conservative engine but with really great parts:
          Hypereutectic alloy pistons 9.2:1 compression ratio,
          Moly rings.
          Aluminum heads and intake manifold,
          High Volume oil pump (25% higher) with new driveshaft
          Federal Mogul bearings throughout
          Hydraulic Roller Cam (270° duration !/2" height) with hyd roller lifters (for good vacuum and great low-medium speed torque),
          True Roller timing chain set,
          High-flow Thermostat,
          FelPro gaskets and seals.

          The real money is in machining costs. I don't have a machine shop, but I have friends that do. D&S Engine Specialists is owned by one of my friends, Mike. He has a crew of over a dozen working on engine machining every day. Their work is exceptional and well-represented at all Detroit shows. Mike machined my Y-Block last year.

          The trans shop is another buddy of mine for decades, Randy Carron of RC Trans & Gear. These are old racing guys from Royal Oak that started their own businesses because they love racing and their products and techniques prove it. Randy's transmissions are guaranteed for as long as you own your car. Mike's standard guarantee on his engines is two years or 24,000 miles.

          We all take full responsibility for and really enjoy high quality work. That's what racing is all about. - Dave
          Member, Sons of the American Revolution

          CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.

          "We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
          --Lee Iacocca

          From: Royal Oak, Michigan

          Comment

          • kuusamon
            Experienced
            • Feb 14 2009
            • 306

            #50
            Very interesting project Dave, will follow it closely, maybe someday I will do the same.

            Originally posted by DKheld
            I see the oil filter on this 390 comes out horizontal and the Tbird is vertical - is that a simple filter adapter swap?
            Eric
            Which adapter will you be going to use? horizontal or vertical?
            I put on the original vertical one but I have both in my possession which one has your preference?
            further is it a bit quiet here on my side, it is still winter and unable to do anything whit this cold here untill about May or June.

            regards,
            Ron
            sigpicGreets,
            Ronald
            Kuusamo
            http://www.tbirdregistry.com/viewdat...tryNumber=1741

            Comment

            • simplyconnected
              Administrator
              • May 26 2009
              • 8779

              #51
              Originally posted by kuusamon
              ...it is still winter and unable to do anything whit this cold here untill about May or June...
              It's the same here, Ron. The dogs came in with snow on their fur just a minute ago. To make matters worse, I don't have a heated shop, so I will assemble this build when as the weather breaks. I need at least 60°F (15.5°C) for spray paint and RTV to work.

              This 390 came from a '73 F100. I will ship the engine with the oil filter you see but Penelope may swap his 352 filter setup when it gets to Australia. They function the same and I have no preference.

              More goodies arrived. Bill Newman sent a very nice 4-bbl carb yesterday. I'm cleaning it but don't have pics yet.

              The True Roller timing set came, the block is totally machined and looking great, pistons and rings are here, and the crank is ground (.010" & .010"). I am re-bushing the rods, then balancing everything, next. More to come. - Dave
              Member, Sons of the American Revolution

              CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.

              "We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
              --Lee Iacocca

              From: Royal Oak, Michigan

              Comment

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