Need more power

[bentar]

What are some of your ideas to get more h/p out of my stock 360. It's in my 76 short bed AWD.

 

[kiwi f150]

It really comes down to how many $$$$ you want to spend but if you are on a budget i'd start with new plugs points leads and rotor cap plus upgrade the carby and a set of headers on a good dual pipe setup.

 

[5.0Flareside]

Make it a 390.... The 360's suck.... Put a 390 rotatin assembly in the 360 block and there ya go.. Then 4 bbl intake and carb and set of headers

 

[smokey]

I had a 360 that would out run any 460 around here. With some work they will run strong and drink a lot of gas. A cam, head work and a intake they can produce nice power.

 

[Beach66Bum]

AWD???

4WD

Power=Money, more power, more money. Like the Mark, Chris and Randy stated, start by exhaust and intake upgrades.

 

[SuperCab]

AWD = Probable 203 transfer case. AKA Full time 4wd

Swapping to part time 4wd will get you better power and mpgs... And 360s don't suck, as Smokey said. Good engines.

By stock, I assume you also mean the stock 2bbl Motorcrap carburetor? Switching to a 4bbl edelbrock or holley can really wake up these engines...

What transmission do you have, and what axle ratios? My dad had a 390 in his '73 and it was a dog... And it was a '67 engine - the last of the high compression ones. But the truck had 2.73 gears. Swapping to 3.55s made a huge differece.

 

[Mil1ion]

Torque is more important on these trucks

 

[bentar]

Thanks guys! I think I will start with the suggestions that kiwi f150 stated and go from there. Smokey, where would you suggest that I get a new cam and intake? I have looked all over and have not found anything. Not too good at this internet thing. SuperCab, how would you swap out to part time? No idea on tranny or axle ratios, how do you find out? I need more power to haul a trailer, nothing huge just don't want to hold up traffic.

 

[BuzzGun79]

Hi Bentar,Give Summit Racing or Jegs a look for engine performance up grades.since you are pulling a trailor you will want a cam that comes in at lower RPM.Some folks call these RV cams they come in around 2,000 rpm and peak around 5,500(for example)and not a great deal of valve lift which is suitable for towing they work well with a stock engine.A good dual plane intake with a 4brl carb int the 650 to 700 cfm range will also aid in low end power and works well with the cam. As far as the carb stay with a performer type factory replacement for economic purpose for example Holley makes a 4160 factory replacement,stay away from the double pumpers,Go with a decent set Headers and dual exhaust.I have done this setup on many cars & pickups from folks who tow and want low end power from their engines.It works well and my people are very happy with the results.The 360 is not a junk motor.Any Engine can be made to perform if one knows how and where to draw the power from.

 

[smokey]

Buzzgun good info. You know these engines well.

 

[SuperCab]

Thanks guys! I think I will start with the suggestions that kiwi f150 stated and go from there. Smokey, where would you suggest that I get a new cam and intake? I have looked all over and have not found anything. Not too good at this internet thing. SuperCab, how would you swap out to part time? No idea on tranny or axle ratios, how do you find out? I need more power to haul a trailer, nothing huge just don't want to hold up traffic.

Swapping to part time can be quite a project depending on your exact setup - someone esle here could probably explain it all if you're interested.

For axles, they will have a tag on them if you're lucky that will tell you the ratio... 2.73, 3.00, 3.55, 3.73, etc.

 

[BuzzGun79]

Smokey quoted,Buzzgun good info. You know these engines well.

Thank You Smokey, I am well versed in old School Ford engines for these were the engines of my youth and my study at the time.Ive done many with impressive results,along with keeping fuel economy & reliability in the picture.Love them old FE Motors!

 

[smokey]

Those were the engines I cut my teeth on also Buzz.

 

[elgemcdlf]

Swap out the timing set for a '71 or earlier set. In '72 Ford retarded the cam 4*. Installing an early timing set will bring it back to 0 & wake it up a bit. Recurve the distributor. Cost you less than $10.