Author Topic: Any tips for dropping a 390 in a 69 (Read 7840 times)

boots · « **on:** July 26, 2011, 09:48:19 pm »

hi guys,
as we know these big blocks are a pretty tight fit. has anyone got a good method of putting a 390 back into a 69. I am wondering whether to fit the headers (either 1 side or both) to the block before dropping it back in or am i better off fitting the headers after the engine is installed (minus some skin and blood). scraping the paint is not an option, dont want to see a 2 year resto getting damaged. it was easy to get out when you dont have to worry about the paint.
cheers

soc123_au · « **Reply #1 on:** July 27, 2011, 01:39:23 pm »

It really depends on your headers. Without knowing your exact set up (& then being familiar with it) it is hard to say. The best advice I can give is to pad your towers with a thin rag & masking tape so the inevitable bump wont scratch the paint. In some cases the best way is to lower the engine in minus the headers, before bolting it up raise the engine enough to fit the headers & then drop it back down.

Best of luck with it, guaranteed to be good fun whatever way you go.

mert · « **Reply #2 on:** July 27, 2011, 09:52:26 pm »

A stock '68 with stock exhaust manifolds and no trans drops in really easy, did it myself in about 20 minutes. The engine hooks balance the engine alone almost perfectly flat and it just drops right in. Didn't touch anything but the mounts to the frame.... way easier than I expected (unlike most issues!)

Toploader went on OK from below, again easier than i thought it would be. A C6 is probably more of a beast to get on after....

If the headers stick out further to the side it will be tight, and if they hang off the rear of the block a lot more than stock may cause some issues.

boots · « **Reply #3 on:** July 27, 2011, 10:07:49 pm »

Thanks lads, headers are Hookers and the gearbox is a TKO500. There will be plenty of padding going around the towers. Not sure if i should bolt the gearbox onto the block and lift it in as one item. Ideas.......

my 390 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 27, 2011, 11:32:29 pm »

I used hookers and had lots of fun. Took hours and had to lift the engine slightly and tilt it to get the bolts on the headers on Thanks to Ian at mustang marque by the way.

my 390 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 27, 2011, 11:33:25 pm »

I Forgot to add the gearbox went on later

boss69hogg · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2011, 05:22:44 pm »

Not a grease monkey so have no idea how to drop one in, but I'll still give you a tip - do wahtever it takes to get it in there!! 390's in a 69 are the best fun....

boss 427 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2011, 06:46:48 pm »

390's are truck engines and a bit of a slug.

69candy · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:30:19 pm »

I just dropped in my 428 last week. Stock manifolds, and top loader attached. I placed carpet around the towers. I had the brake booster in., no mastercylinder or steering arms on. We raised the back of the car onto ramps, lifted the motor right up and end of trans pointing right down, and then slid it in. Took 2 of us about an hour from start to finish, other guy is not mech minded in any way!!.
Tips? have your plugs in, and beer fridge full!!

69candy · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:30:24 pm »

I just dropped in my 428 last week. Stock manifolds, and top loader attached. I placed carpet around the towers. I had the brake booster in., no mastercylinder or steering arms on. We raised the back of the car onto ramps, lifted the motor right up and end of trans pointing right down, and then slid it in. Took 2 of us about an hour from start to finish, other guy is not mech minded in any way!!.
Tips? have your plugs in, and beer fridge full!!

Shermatt · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:41:39 pm »

Quote from: boots link=topic=15207.msg153097#msg153097

hi guys,
as we know these big blocks are a pretty tight fit. has anyone got a good method of putting a 390 back into a 69. I am wondering whether to fit the headers (either 1 side or both) to the block before dropping it back in or am i better off fitting the headers after the engine is installed (minus some skin and blood). scraping the paint is not an option, dont want to see a 2 year resto getting damaged. it was easy to get out when you dont have to worry about the paint.
cheers

Check out "the green machine" thread....that how we put Johns 390 back in without a scratch...we used blankets and duna's.

Headers were on the engine (Im pretty sure)

I think once the engine was in, we pulled it back out a little, tightened the exhaust/header bolts tight. Checked all NEW spark plugs were tight and lowered it back down to bolted in place

I think theres about 30-40 photos of the fitment...maybe 5 but whos counting :smile02:

Matt

boots · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2011, 12:09:54 am »

Green machine thread???? I am a bit of a dill Matt with this site, where abouts is it?
The beer fridge will definitely be stocked.
Nice idea about putting the arse end up high and ensuring the plugs are in. All handy little tips and very much appreciated

kiwi69 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2011, 07:18:08 am »

Hey Boots, I have just finished putting in my 390 in 67. I notice your air cleaner is sitting pretty high like mine. I had to change the air cleaner as it hit the bonnet when I tried to close it. I had a Eldebrock air cleaner with 3" height, had to go with 1/1/2" height which just makes it.

Shermatt · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2011, 11:33:22 am »

Quote from: boots link=topic=15207.msg153259#msg153259

Green machine thread???? I am a bit of a dill Matt with this site, where abouts is it?
The beer fridge will definitely be stocked.
Nice idea about putting the arse end up high and ensuring the plugs are in. All handy little tips and very much appreciated

Now your just show boatin

:rub::rub::rub::rub:

Shermatt · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2011, 11:34:44 am »

here ya go

http://www.mustang.org.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=14026

boss69hogg · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2011, 02:37:57 pm »

Geez boss427 that's a bit harsh! The 390 GT in bullitt seemed to go alright, certainly not a slug as u call them at only 15hp less than the 428 cobra jets. might have originated from a truck, but stll has balls bigger than most. Mine is 42 hers old with original 83k miles. Other than gaskets, the engine and transmission have never been opened and she will still easily do 160kmph.

mert · « **Reply #16 on:** July 29, 2011, 04:38:41 pm »

Quote

might have originated from a truck,

Nope. Developed and first used in the very early 60's in "mid-sized" (now large) cars, such as Thunderbird, Galaxie and Fairlane in 61 (Z codes), also used in various configurations in Cougars, Comets, Galaxies, Torinos, Cyclones, Talledegas, Motegos, Thunderbolts and Rancheros (maybe more, that's all I can recall right now), that's an odd collection of "trucks" (well, the last one is kinda a truck).

Believe the initial use of FE's in light trucks was mid 60's (FE series) and 390's in the early 70's, ~10 years after its first use, but not sure. The FT series was used in heavy trucks for a simialr time period, but it did not have a 390, but a 389 and 391 variant that was close...

Some interesting reading on the subject.

http://www.woodyg.com/fairlane/390years.html

And who cares how fast they go, they just look so much better when you pop the hood then a weenie small block!

This ones really a slug...

500+ Hp, carb 390 FE base, not a real high dollar build

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0808_ford_390_fe/index.html

A slightly more modifed FE series coming in a 700+

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/0608em_ford_big_block_engine/index.html

69candy · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2011, 07:29:00 pm »

Quote from: boots link=topic=15207.msg153259#msg153259

Green machine thread???? I am a bit of a dill Matt with this site, where abouts is it?
The beer fridge will definitely be stocked.
Nice idea about putting the arse end up high and ensuring the plugs are in. All handy little tips and very much appreciated

Another tip for ya. Wear sum sunnies!!!:cool: Nice big block

TheDarkStang · « **Reply #18 on:** July 29, 2011, 08:08:01 pm »

GEEZ , bust out the polish man. Looks bloody awesome but I'm glad to say that it's yours to keep that new looking & not mine.
But it does have me drooling like a fat kid in a candy store. Me likey likey

boots · « **Reply #19 on:** July 29, 2011, 08:39:26 pm »

Hopefully there will be bugger all polishing going on. The carb and intake are the endurashine finish, which according to edelbrock needs minimal upkeep. All that other stuff on the front is polished and coated so hopefully the same will apply there.
Didnt think about the air cleaner kiwi69. Damn. O well, better to find out now than later.
Hopefully it wont be a slug. Hopefully it will pull like a teenage boy. ha

mert · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2011, 10:27:56 am »

Most folks who dismiss the 390 have never been in one, let alone driven them! As my resto shop owner said when he picked up mine years ago and was driving to the shop, called me on his mobile on the way ... "this thing is a rocket". And he drives a lot of high end classics...

I'm sure your build will be a LOT of fun.

Keep us posted on the install.

boss 427 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2011, 11:15:16 am »

Quote from: boots link=topic=15207.msg153259#msg153259

Green machine thread???? I am a bit of a dill Matt with this site, where abouts is it?
The beer fridge will definitely be stocked.
Nice idea about putting the arse end up high and ensuring the plugs are in. All handy little tips and very much appreciated

That looks beautiful and definately not a slug. My first Mustang back in 1972 was a '69 Mach 1 390 GT and in stock trim was a slug. Allways getting blown of by Falcon GT's.
I soon fixed it with the first nitrous inj system imported into Aust with a 250HP shot. It then bent all the standard pushrods, but when I replaced them it went like a rocket.

66 Hertz · « **Reply #22 on:** July 30, 2011, 11:24:26 am »

how about a few pics of the car it's going into.......I hope its just as good.

boots · « **Reply #23 on:** July 30, 2011, 11:19:12 pm »

got a heaps 66 coupe. not fat to go now. another month or 2 will see it done finally. here are a few pictures as to where it is at at the moment

boots · « **Reply #24 on:** July 30, 2011, 11:21:15 pm »

a few more

Any tips for dropping a 390 in a 69

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Author Topic: Any tips for dropping a 390 in a 69 (Read 7840 times)