FE 390 rebuild

Status
Not open for further replies.
Originally Posted By: edhackett
If Offenhauser makes an appropriate dual port manifold for that engine, it might be a good option. That is assuming the carb you are talking about is a 4 bbl.

Ed

750 4bbl edelbrock, preformer i believe
 
I had a 71 w/same and a 3 on a tree with a 4bbl.

iron heads will be hard to find if at all and alloy heads will cost well over $1000 per pair.

your best bet is a simple 'rv cam' with small collector long tube headers into true duals to keep the cost down.
 
im trying to keep the cost down for sure, thats why im leaning on going w the carb i have. On another note, my bed was pretty shot, can you believe i bought a bed (long) 90% rust free both inner fenders (like new) and a radiator support for $250
 
Originally Posted By: edhackett
I'm not up on American V8 rebuilds, other than general knowledge, so am not familiar with manifold types. A quick search of Summit shows a Dual Port line. These split the intake to each cylinder into two separate passages, one for the primaries and one for the secondaries. This gives very high velocity for the primaries, increasing torque and fuel mileage. Flow for the secondaries, when they kick in is also improved. Is this different than dual plane?

I ran one of these on a 1973 Toyota 2TC hemi(a real hemi, unlike those poser pent-roof Dodges) back in the day. It worked like a charm. The engine was smoother, more powerful, and in combination with headers, picked up more than 10% fuel mileage.

Ed



Sounds kind of gimmicky, but I guess in the right application it could work well. However, the performer he has should work well.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: QuadDriver

iron heads will be hard to find if at all
Why do you say that? I bet that I can find 20 or more FE's in the local pic a Parts within 20 miles of here. They used FE's in cars and trucks.

Now if your looking for a hipo head that may be more difficult. But a standard 360/390 set of heads won't be a problem to find.

Plenty on Craigs list too.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/2129292129.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/2120207216.html

This guy has a 428 that would go nice in that old pickup.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/2111284655.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/2109834993.html
 
Originally Posted By: kcfx4
im curious as to input on carb? cam? and rebuild kit reccomendations...it also has headers that i plan to do away w


Cam - Reliable, good torque go with the Comp 268H in your application. If you want the most from the engine and still retain good drivability but are willing to live with an aggresive lobed cam (slightly more valvetrain noise even in a hydraulic and the strain of fast ramps) then go with the XE256 from Comp. I would stay with the 268H myself but I can't deny the Xtreme Energy is a lot more powerful for almost the same idle quality. Don't over cam... it is still happening every day (wrong advice / wrong choices)... you will always be happier being slightly under cammed than over cammed.

Carb - I have tried the E-Carbs before and also in the old days long before Edelbrock revamped them when they were called Carter AFB's... and I never liked them either. I would get the ubiquitous Holley 1850 (600 cfm) for your application. Either way (Holley or Edelbrock) you will need to tune it so budget for a jet / strip kit as well.

Rebuild Kit - Summit Racing has what you need, you can get full kits w / pistons or refresh kits (rings and brgs only). The kits are from Federal Mogul / Sealed Power and have gaskets etc. There are 13 kits alone for the FE engine so lots of choice.
 
what you need to know about a edelbrock preformer, is that the metering rods have to much difference between the small step and the big step, change it to have a small amount between the steps. this doesnt aplay to afbs comming on stock engines. allso i have found a way to calculate percent of change if you change both jet and rod at the same time. and its NOT just adding or subtracting the diameter.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: wtd
I personally don't like the Edelbrock Performer carbs. I have never been able to get them to run right.
X2. I have a brand new one that spent 8hrs on a dyno and it still doesn't work correctly plus if it sits more than 3 days the truck wont start w/o pouring gas down the carb throat.
I had an Edelbrock Performer on one of my boat engine it worked pretty good and now it is on a 67 GTO and the owner is happy with it . That being said I prefer Holley carbs.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom