390FE (406ci) for #50, built by Tom Lucas at FE Specialties.

[hazelnut]

robroy those are some good numbers on your motor, i like seeing that your going to have over 500 lb of torque from 2000-2500 rpm because thats where i would think that your engine would be at most of the time.

[robroy]

Good evening Power By Ford 70 F250 4x4 and HazelNut, thanks for replying!

Hey Robroy could you ask Tom if he knows where I can buy 2 inch headers (primaries) for my 360 f250 4x4 1970

This I could do! But I'm not sure: do you think this is more of a Bumpside question (which he's not an expert on), or an FE question (which he is an expert on)? I have a sense that this could be so Bumpside-specific that he might have to research it just like we would. But I could ask him if he knows off the top of his head!

robroy those are some good numbers on your motor, i like seeing that your going to have over 500 lb of torque from 2000-2500 rpm because thats where i would think that your engine would be at most of the time.

Fantastic, thanks for saying so! I'm hoping that the torque will make the truck feel weightless on the street--at least until I hit the brakes.

With the pick-up day coming soon, I'll be turning my attention to getting the work area ready, and doing any small repairs and touch-ups in the area while the engine's still out!

Here are a few garage photos that show the disarray I left everything in after pulling the engine last time. I want it to look highly clean and organized before I start handling the beautiful new engine in there! You can click on any of these photos for the full sized, uncropped versions.







Power By Ford 70 F250 4x4 and HazelNut, thanks again for the excellent replies!
Robroy

[71PA_Highboy]

Did you get some Stage8 header bolts yet? With the work put into the engine it would be a shame to be hearing exhaust leaks instead of the engine.

I look forward to the 'driving' report!

regards,

Eric

[robroy]

Good day Eric, thanks for replying!

Did you get some Stage8 header bolts yet? With the work put into the engine it would be a shame to be hearing exhaust leaks instead of the engine.

I haven't looked in to that, but it's possible that the ARP accessory bolt set I had Tom install came with header/manifold bolts.

So far I haven't come across anything that convinced me that the Stage8 bolts are less likely to come loose. But I respect your advice and know you probably have a good reason for recommending them! I'll see if I can do some reading, and I appreciate you persisting with this recommendation Eric!

I look forward to the 'driving' report!

Absolutely! I've already had several feature-length dreams about the first drive and many day-dreams (the bona fide dreams were much better), but I'll save my report for the reality scenario.

Eric, thanks again for your excellent reply and for being persistent with your recommendation!
Robroy

[DuckRyder]

The ARP sets do come with header/manifold bolts.

FWIW, I have some Stage 8, but because of the distance between the top bolts and the header tubes the locks do not work...

I do not know if that is the case with all headers, but it certainly is with my Hookers...

[70_F100]

Robroy, it sounds like you've got a WINNER this time!!

Just a thought, but now would be the PERFECT time to do a quick rattle-can job on the firewall so that your engine compartment will complement the new "Yellow Jacket"...

[robroy]

Good afternoon Robert and 70_F100, thanks for replying!

The ARP sets do come with header/manifold bolts.

OK, thanks! Good to know. I might wind up using them in combination with the Nord-Lock wedge lock washers.

FWIW, I have some Stage 8, but because of the distance between the top bolts and the header tubes the locks do not work...

I do not know if that is the case with all headers, but it certainly is with my Hookers...

I see! Thanks for letting me know. If I do go with some Stage8 bolts, I'll know to watch out for this potential issue.

Robroy, it sounds like you've got a WINNER this time!!

Excellent, thanks for saying so!

Just a thought, but now would be the PERFECT time to do a quick rattle-can job on the firewall so that your engine compartment will complement the new "Yellow Jacket"...

I think you're absolutely right! I suppose a rattle-can job wouldn't take very long, and it wouldn't be a bummer to strip it off again when I remove the cab in a few years. I'll go ahead and order a rattle-can of the Wimbledon White paint then!

Robert and 70_F100, thanks for your quality replies!
Robroy

[robroy]

Tomorrow at noon is the pick-up day/time, so y'all can expect rich updates by Friday!

[robroy]

Good afternoon! Preparations for tomorrow's trip are nearly complete!

I got the garage a little more clean and organized.



The cradle, all dusted off and ready for duty.



Got the ropes in order and the bed swept out.



And readied my coffee cup for the morning--note the hammer (included for scale):



Thanks for all the superb advice!
Robroy

[BobbyFord]

That's a swell coffee cup. Just think, after tomorrow you'll finally be able to put that engine cradle in the fireplace.

[iamthewreckingcrew]

That's one big mamma jamma coffee cup!

Good luck on the trip tomorrow.

[robroy]

Good afternoon BobbyFord and IAmTheWreckingCrew, thanks for replying!

That's a swell coffee cup.

Thanks very much!

Just think, after tomorrow you'll finally be able to put that engine cradle in the fireplace.

Good idea--perhaps I'll do just that!

That's one big mamma jamma coffee cup!

It's really something special isn't it?

Good luck on the trip tomorrow.

Thanks!

With tomorrow quickly approaching, I've been finalizing my question list for Tom. I'll be video-recording his responses to these questions! I scanned through the thread and tried to pick up all the suggestions y'all have made up until now, but I feel like I must be missing some. And perhaps y'all can think of more?

I'll start by asking questions that are specific to this engine, then move on to general FE questions.

Questions specific to this engine:

1. What are the biggest differences between this engine design and my previous engine design?
2. How will the truck behave with the new engine design, compared it its behavior with the old design?
3. What's your advice on timing the engine?
4. What's your carburetor tuning advice? Should I simply follow the Edelbrock instructions or if there a method you prefer?
5. How much intake manifold vacuum should I see at idle?
6. How fast can this engine spin (what's its "red line")?
7. How hot can this engine get before its temperature becomes dangerous?
8. What oil quantity would you recommend for this engine?

General FE questions:

1. What are your favorite, and least favorite things about FE engines?
2. What makes your engines unusual? What aspects of building are you especially good at and proud of?
3. What do you think about sealed ball bearings being used (instead of oil-impregnated bronze bushings) for crankshaft/main drive gear pilots (suggested by Alvin)?
4. What are the most common problems you find in FEs that are brought to you? (suggested by Robert)? How about the strangest problems you've seen?
5. What are your thoughts on stock exhaust manifolds versus headers on an FE (suggested by Stephen)?
6. How important is combustion chamber polishing, compared to head porting on FEs?

Thanks for all the fantastic suggestions so far! If y'all can think up any other questions you'd like me to include by early tomorrow morning, I'll add them to the list.

Robroy

[OldRedFord]

Good evening Power By Ford 70 F250 4x4 and HazelNut, thanks for replying!

Hey Robroy could you ask Tom if he knows where I can buy 2 inch headers (primaries) for my 360 f250 4x4 1970

This I could do! But I'm not sure: do you think this is more of a Bumpside question (which he's not an expert on), or an FE question (which he is an expert on)? I have a sense that this could be so Bumpside-specific that he might have to research it just like we would. But I could ask him if he knows off the top of his head!

robroy those are some good numbers on your motor, i like seeing that your going to have over 500 lb of torque from 2000-2500 rpm because thats where i would think that your engine would be at most of the time.

Fantastic, thanks for saying so! I'm hoping that the torque will make the truck feel weightless on the street--at least until I hit the brakes.

With the pick-up day coming soon, I'll be turning my attention to getting the work area ready, and doing any small repairs and touch-ups in the area while the engine's still out!

Here are a few garage photos that show the disarray I left everything in after pulling the engine last time. I want it to look highly clean and organized before I start handling the beautiful new engine in there! You can click on any of these photos for the full sized, uncropped versions.







Power By Ford 70 F250 4x4 and HazelNut, thanks again for the excellent replies!


Robroy

Your yellow extention cord matches your seat

[hazelnut]

you have some good thought out questions robroy. im thinking that question f should be something like, How important is combustion chamber polishing along with head porting on FEs? and the reason im saying it this way is because ive never seen someone port heads without polishing the chambers. I would think that if someone is porting out the heads for better flow that the chambers would be polished for a smoother burn pattern in the chambers. the two kind of go hand and hand IMO.

[robroy]

Good evening Tim and Hazelnut, thanks for replying!

Your yellow extention cord matches your seat

Good observation Tim! I think I'm starting to detect an emerging pattern with that particular color.

you have some good thought out questions robroy.

Thanks Hazelnut!

im thinking that question f should be something like, How important is combustion chamber polishing along with head porting on FEs? and the reason im saying it this way is because ive never seen someone port heads without polishing the chambers. I would think that if someone is porting out the heads for better flow that the chambers would be polished for a smoother burn pattern in the chambers. the two kind of go hand and hand IMO.

Got it! Thanks for clarifying that. I'll be sure to spent some time on this question, and I think you'll have the answer you were looking for! I would have had no idea to ask about this without your advice, and I appreciate it.

Tim and Hazelnut, thanks again for your fantastic replies!
Robroy