Hey guys..390/trans question and advice

[Jeff Norwell]

Thanks guys!...I have awakened and I will stay with a stick.Jim// good sound advise.

[fordaholic]

      Hey Jeff:  Before you blow your brains out on a package you arn`t sure of; give me a call and I will hook you up with a local Guru that has been putting these FE packages together professionally for 45 years. He has done it all, from tractor pullers to Nitro funny cars to Superformance kit cars. his forte' is Ford FE`s. He is a personal friend; if you want to give me a call sometime and have a couple of hours to kill i will take you over to his shop and introduce you to him. He is a book of knowledge when it comes to performance.   Gary in Newmarket.  my daytime cell.  905 895 1381

[Frankenstein57]

Just got the September street rodder in the mail, and on page 102 is a nice drawing and article of Jeff's custom 300. Conrats, nice work!  Mark

[Jeff Norwell]

Thanks fellas.great info....Trying to keep it all in notes before I make a big purchase.

[Jeff Norwell]

Thanks Mark!

[Jeff Norwell]

Hey Gary,was sure nice to meet ya in Moncton..Wish we could have spent more time together....I will hook up with you today or tomorrow.
Well..I finally made a decision... picked up a complete 69 390 gt engine and toploader.... needs a rebuild...but has been sitting under a bench for many years.The nice thing it's a complete unite.
I have decided against the TKO 600 because of cost(or lack of it.)
I have 2 other 390's I can use as cores if need be....
I really must watch myself.. as if i get too carried away....I tend to start building a powerplant with too much H.P. and that would defeat the purpose of this build.

[shopratwoody]

Jeff,
Nice to see you get such a complete unit. All the brackets etc are getting harder to find.
Maybe a cam, entake and headers will get you where you want to be with i.
Have fun.
Ron

[Jeff Norwell]

Thanks Ron....I know things will get hairy...I cannot ever let things be.......

[Frankenstein57]

Jeff, I had a 69 ranchero 390 GT, 3-speed.  Bone stock that was bad fast, fun car to drive. My wife used to thrash that car. With a few upgrades should be a nice combo,  Mark

[fordaholic]

  Jeff!!  Gary here. We stayed to the end because my wife REALLY wanted to drive that grand prize home . No such luck! Hey; you really scored with that 390GT purchase. My guess from the pics., the toploader is like new because the factory shifter is still on it. Factory manifolds suggest the motor has never been apart. The carb is wrong. That`s kind of puzleing. But so what. You told me what you paid for the package. I hope you are sleeping OK. Just kidding.. Talk to you soon.  Cheers  Gary

[canadian_ranchero]

the ford 4100 4V carb is a good street carb and if jeted right gives good gas milage.they used them on the 428 police cars so can be tuned for power too.just something to think about

[Jeff Norwell]

Jeff, I had a 69 ranchero 390 GT, 3-speed.  Bone stock that was bad fast, fun car to drive. My wife used to thrash that car. With a few upgrades should be a nice combo,  Mark

Mark.... that is awesome.  very good to know!

[Jeff Norwell]

  Jeff!!  Gary here. We stayed to the end because my wife REALLY wanted to drive that grand prize home . No such luck! Hey; you really scored with that 390GT purchase. My guess from the pics., the toploader is like new because the factory shifter is still on it. Factory manifolds suggest the motor has never been apart. The carb is wrong. That`s kind of puzleing. But so what. You told me what you paid for the package. I hope you are sleeping OK. Just kidding.. Talk to you soon.  Cheers  Gary

HA HA ....Gary.I will phone you today!

[Jeff Norwell]

the ford 4100 4V carb is a good street carb and if jeted right gives good gas milage.they used them on the 428 police cars so can be tuned for power too.just something to think about

C-R/...I have another 390 out of a bird (1963) and it has the same carb.....when i first saw that engine.I kinda said(Wtf is that..odd looking carb....)Never seen one before...but then again, I am new to all this Ford stuff..... Very good info..thank you!

[Jeff Norwell]

Spent a wonderful day with fordaholic last week(Gary) and we toured various shops and introduced me deep into the heart of Blue Oval Territory. His 57 Business coupe is mighty fine(real one) and progress is killer!I was introduced to Don Palmer.....a FE guru specialist and super nice gentleman.
These fellas have shown me the light.
Gary .I had a spectacular day.......

I know how the Widowmaker's engine bay will look....(My 57 is called the Widowmaker,to eat the black 57 chevys Black widow) ha ha ha




Gary's 427....