Won't be that simple boss.

 

Plus there is no such thing as a "stock" 390 in a highboy. The trucks were only offered with a 300 I6 or a 360-2V, and actually in 77 I thought only the 300 I6, 351M or 400 were offered. It could be a 360 converted to a 390. The bell housings are different I believe. I think only the 335 series (351M/400) and 385 series (460/429) share the "big block" bell housing. There are adapters made though. I remember someone else doing the same thing a few months ago. Or just rip it out and hook up a ZF5!

 

To all that responed thanks.
fordcrzymike
You are correct about the motor in the 77 highboy i have one it does have the 351M in it I miss qouted the year. I am building off a 75 frame and I am at the point in my build where I have to decide which motor to use I have the 360/390 that was in the 75 I have the 351M still in the frame of the 77 and I have a 460 block on the floor. The 77 I owned 35 years ago sold it and bought it back in February if my memory is correct it tells me the 351M is alittle lazy. I have had trucks with the 390 and 460 in them I'm looking to have one of the three engines built I'm thinking about placing a blower on it. I want this truck to jump. Any thoughts of which motor to build

73ferdf250highboy
I plan on keeping the manual transmission whats the reasoning behind keeping the 390 ???

 

i like the fe cause it was the base motor that shelby used to beat the europeans at le mans in the late 60's. i also love the way they sound.
i was gonna do the 460 thing last year, but my neighbor is scraping his 64 galaxie project and he has a fuel injected-built to the hilt-aluminum headed-roller everything (still in the summit engine bag & on an engine stand) fe390. i've already gave him money for the fuel injection: commander 950. i just can't pass up the motor either.

 

I spoke with the engine builder as well and he says stay with the 390 bock for ease of building and less modifying. He says he can build it with a stoker kit balanced and blueprinted aluminum heads etc etc. he says I will be satisfied it will have plenty of power and quick throttle responce it will end up being a 417 cubic inch engine horse power don't know. So 390 it will be

 

that's right

 

DANG going with aluminum heads...thats some real money there.

 

this will probably be my last truck build so I'm going all in this truck has to jump and smoke the tires so whatever it takes stroker kit blown supercharged whatever it takes

 

amen.

i'll get out to the shop tomorrow to get some video of the 390. this thing is nasty. it has the complete edelbrock power package on it- heads and all. $$$$ but worth it.

 

Amen x2! Do it big and do it right to go out with a boom.

 

I'll take pictures and post as I go nice talking to you guys

 

OK i'm in the process of mocking up the drivrtrain placing all parts in the frame., I have a few issues to resolve. Can anyone give some input on two things I noticed

1) when swapping the 390 with a 460 using a manuel transmission the clutch linkage is not level I need to raise the transmission up about 2 inchs is this right ???? What has to be done raise the transmission or modify the linkage ????

2) where can I buy headers for this swap, is L&L the only place. L&L only shows the shorties no long tube for the swap.

 

you might need to tilt the motor/trans up with shims on the cross member.

long tubes for a highboy with a 460....hmm i couldn't tell ya off he top of my
head.

i still have yet to get out the shop for those 390 pictures.

 

Just got off the phone from Tech support at L&L they advised leave the transmission along they have themselves modified the bracket that bolts on to the bellhousing should'nt be a big deal.

Long tube Headers probably won't be found as per tech support from Hooker they stopped making these headers years ago because of the cross member under the oil pan the shorties from L&L might be my only option problem is the cost plus the ceramic coating.

I've been busy this morning talking to lots of people. I just purchased a Cab and Bed from Flaskback F-100 out of North Carolina will be picking them up in October at the Carlisle PA swap meet.

Thanks for the response.