Cam Problem Ford 390

Episode 164 Manic Mechanic

We planned to tune the 390 FE in our 1963 Galaxie. But the camshaft has other ideas. I don't like trying to run an engine that is exhibiting tell tale issues. And the one we encounter in this episode will put our 390FE restoration on hole in our Galaxie 500.

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[AutoRestoMod]

Sorry this video is late! For some reason our video never went public yesterday! -Andrew

[grosseileracingteam]

I can't believe it's been 40+ years since I was able to go to the many junkyards here in Metro Detroit and buy decent running 360's, 390's, 429's, 460's and 351 CLEVELANDS all day long for around $300-another $100 with a C6. Makes me wanna cry. No more good machine shops around anymore either. Looking forward to a 2022 "budget" build. Thanks for posting.

[et]

Sorry to hear about camshaft/lifter problem, but glad to see how you pointed it out. Spending time up front saves you headaches later on.

[waynep]

2 zip ties a feeler gauge set. A pair of 460 channelocks.
Set up 0.070 thick feeler gauges. Zip that pack. Set up more feelers into a 0.170 feeler gauge stack. Zip tie those. Bump the number 1 cylinder to tdc compression stroke. Use channelocks to grip rocker arm. Apply pressure to rocker arm to push pushrod down to collapse lifter. Rocker to valve tip should be within 0.070 and 0.170"
If not within spec a longer or shorter pushrod is available easily if you look at the pushrod catalog.

[troygibson]

Can’t wait for a 390 build video. Mine also needs a good rebuild.

[TheJoefussGarage]

Hey there Jeff, this is the "curse", of having the ethics of a doctor.. 1st rule, "due no harm " !!!
Better luck on the the truck !!!!

[MattsRageFitGarage]

I've built a couple of those. One as a stockish warmed over 390 and an all out 445 stroker. Even the stockish 390 makes a lot of power when all the machine work is right and the pistons come up to the top of the deck. I reused the stock 4 barrel intake and exhaust manifolds on the 390 and it still revs to 6000 RPM and makes plenty of power. No cheap way to build those if it goes to a machine shop.

[Bryanja]

I rebuilt the 390 in my 74 F100 and yes, it's expensive. I had to spend the money to have the heads rebuilt twice! The first shop to rebuild the heads was in fact a cylinder head specialist and messed up my C1AE heads! The second shop was an at home shop and he got them right. Overall, probably close to $4k in that motor and I assembled it myself.

[kgroombr]

Cheap is a nice goal, but don't sacrifice anything that may cause issues. Always good to spend a bit more on something that "may" save you in the end.

[samuelfreeman]

The way to identify a GT390, assuming it was complete when the swap was done, is look at the oil filter housing, the GT390 had a special housing that I believe was also only used on the 428cj. Next is the cam itself, should be .480 lift. Also, if like mine that was a gt390 out of a 4-speed car it will have a "large port" low riser intake. Mine had a C5 casting number but was large port, that can only mean one thing since large port FE were out of production in '64 and only the 4-speed gt390 retained that design. The intake is why the 4-speed engines were rated at 335hp compared to the 320hp in GTA cars. Hope this helps. Block casting numbers are worthless, I've personally seen a 390 out of a late '60s truck have the casting number as a side oiler 427, it was not, just your standard top oiler 390. My GT390 codes to a 428, it is not.

[tombryant]

If cam is worn, that valve should have less lift than the others, I'd verify using dial indicator. Could just be tight from sludge or setting. Upper ball on push rod could be scored. I'd start engine and see if it rotates.

[johnbarker]

THANK YOU for not wrecking things to make a video. I got a real bad taste for one of the early "we have to build this car in 2 weeks" reality shows due to their ritual of locking the throttle wide open on anything that came in running so they could stand around and watch it blow up. That shows absolutely no respect for the machinery and I have no respect for people who would do such a thing.

[fairlaner]

yes, my '67 390 GT engine, with only 73K on it, also had a tight lifter on #2 exhaust, pushrod was rotating but very slow compared to others. I was replacing lifters, pushrods and rocker arms and when pulling out the old lifter, noticed at the bottom of the lifter bore looked like a small burr at the bottom.

[johnkrag]

There are issues with flat tappet lifters today. I have a machine shop and deal with custom cam grinders. Check your new Haven't had a problem with Hy-Lift yet.

[marvinsturgill]

Sob! Sob, my maverick got the covid shot.... And its turning into a nash rambler, or something... Good video Mr Ford!

[malabor_paints]

It makes me sad to hear that 390 BB's are so expensive and tough to deal with. I'm really thinking about tracking down one for my 57 F100 build, but now I'm kind of scared!

[SineMacula]

I have a 390 GT motor in my F-100, I just recently took the Intake manifold out and the valve covers off to replace them, it has a roller cam. Do you have to put the push rods in the same spot I took them out? If so I'm screwed.

[ajw]

Should be a big s on the intake if it is a 390 GT,

[stephenhotzjustdriveit]

Yeh Barry has some nice cylinder heads

[Bbbbad]

Did you call the 2nd cylinder back on the passenger side #7? The firing order on the Ford has that cylinder as #2. It actuates just before # 1 the 1st cylinder on the passenger side. Just wondering.