What year for the best 390 Block?

[Gregg(What's his name)?]

For all you guys with the knowledge,

I'm looking at changing over to a big block. I thought the 390 might be the safest route to go.

What would be the best year to look for? I had a 390 in my 67 Mustang GTA. ( I wish I had that car back)

Thanks for all your help

Gregg H

[bmalone]

A really good choice if you are going to leave it stock is the '61 - '63 year w/ 3x2s and a solid-lifter cam. These were rated at 401 HP (a bit overrated). Course, that won't be easy to find. You did say best 390.

THe GTAs like you had were 335 HP and not bad. Seems to me the later year engines had the screwed-up pollution hump. Have to look at the book to jog my memory on that.

[Ron61]

bmalone,

I had a 1965 Galaxie with the 390 and 4 speed and that was a good motor. Plenty of power even for that heavy car and got good gas milage. It would only have taken a cam change and some head work to have made it a real runner. And as stated above the 1966 390s were good motors. The 390 HiPo with the three twos was a really great motor but as stated, they are hard to find.

[SFfiredog]

As Bill stated, the best 390 blocks are the '60/'61 375/401 horsepower hipo blocks. These blocks are hard to find and the oil passages are not drilled to allow the use of a hydraulic cam, so it is solid lifters only. I would suggest looking for a '65 or later 390 because the 3 bolt motor mount pattern is much easier to find mounts for than the '64 and earlier 2 bolt style blocks
--Mike

[Gregg(What's his name)?]

I remember as a kid my mom had the 65 galaxy with that big moter. My dad used to make excuses to drive the car. (It was a dealer demo) He would just floor that sucker and it would run.

Thanks for your imput. Looks like I'm scavaging for a 65 - 66 block.

Let the hunt begin.

Gregg H.

[bmalone]

My favorite, the '64 R-code. My Dad had one, and was it a blast to drive. When you kicked it and both fours came on, it was a da*n good sound.

[Tony Ripepi]

Hello Gregg,

Southern automotive builds a 390 pushed to 406 with 430 HP for around $6,000. a good deal for a turn key drop in FE motor. There have been articles in different magazines about this being the bargain Cobra motor that still gives the appearance of the 427.

Check it out at: http://www.cobracountry.com/southern/home.html

You almost can't build it yourself for that kind of money and you get the integrity of the Southern Automotive folks behind your motor.

Tony R.

[Gregg(What's his name)?]

Tony,

Thanks again for the info. Yes i have looked at Southern Automotive. I'm really torn between rebuilding one and have a crate type motor. I think the wife would rather me stick with not changing motors at all. I just love that Big Block sound.


Gregg H

[Jeff Frigo]

Why not go to a 428? Not that much more expensive, parts very available.

[FE Specialties]

Hi Gregg,
I'm Tom Lucas, owner of FE Specialties. I've been around FEs for 27 years and have been in business for 2 years now building and designing FEs for all types of applications.
The best 390 block is not tied to horsepower as much as its tied to the block design and cylinder wall thickness. The early block, as mentioned earlier, are good blocks. They have the reinforsed main webs and sonic out to around 180-205. The only drawback to these blocks are that they only have the 2 bolt motor mount which depending on application can be a problem. The middle to late 60's blocks usually are pretty thin on the cylinder wall thickness, uusually around 150, so they are my last choice. the other good blocks to look for are the 71-74 truck blocks. They have the reinforced main webbing and sonic out to around 210. Most of these block cant be safely bored to standard 428 size, or 4.13. I hope this info helps you in your quest. Any questions, please feel free to call me at 916-339-0427. Thanks, Tom

[Homewrecker]

I second the '71-'74 truck blocks. They are the best foundation for a 390, 406, 410 (428 crank), or to bore to 428 (428 crank). The rest is up to you. Edelbrock makes a pretty good package. Make sure that you get some advice or do some reading about the oiling. I't's still hard to beat the Southern Automotive deal if you add up all the costs of doing it yourself. Also, you might want to get the back issues of Street Rodder magazine. They did a very in depth series on this motor - about 10-12 issues.

[fordracer]

What about the blocks with 105 cast in the front instead of 352 ? Isn't that a good indicator of the thick cylinder walls ? I understand sonic checking is best but when junkyard or swap meet shopping .....