302 or 390???

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by rockndrifter06, Jan 28, 2006.

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  1. rockndrifter06

    rockndrifter06 Member

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    im getting a 73 comet and it has a 302 in it now, well i plan on rebuilding it and geting some new parts as weel like cam intake etc etc, well a guy at work will sell me a ford 390ci froma 70ish truck, should i go ahead and throw in that? anyone know which would be easier cheaper? possiablites
     
    rockndrifter06, Jan 28, 2006
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  2. Zooomzoomguy

    Zooomzoomguy Member

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    i'm gonna say easier and cheaper would be the 302, more unique the 390, but you gonna need to do alot of modifications to fit it into the engine bay
     
    Zooomzoomguy, Jan 28, 2006
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  3. inline6

    inline6 Member

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    i do believe that you will have to do a mustang II front swap to drop the 390 in,and lose the towers alltogether.best bet would be to beef up the 302(stroker) or get a 351w and notch the shock towers.good luck in whatever way you go(y)
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2006
    inline6, Jan 28, 2006
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  4. T.L.

    T.L. Banned

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    302...
     
    T.L., Jan 28, 2006
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  5. grbmaverickmo

    grbmaverickmo That Maverick Guy

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    Tubular has headers for that combo.
     
    grbmaverickmo, Jan 28, 2006
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  6. ratio411

    ratio411 Member

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    You can go 390 by notching the towers, but it would be a whole lot of work for what you will end up with.
    If you were to notch the towers, it would be better to do a 393 or 408 Windsor.
    You end up with the same cubes generally, but the power to weight ratio and power to dollar ratio will win in a major way.
    If you don't want the trouble of expensive headers and notching the towers, then a 331 conversion on your present engine is the best bet.
    My .02
    Dave
     
    ratio411, Jan 28, 2006
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  7. rockndrifter06

    rockndrifter06 Member

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    thanks for all the quick posts guys!
     
    rockndrifter06, Jan 28, 2006
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  8. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    Hey!!! you didn't get my vote...302...frank...:bouncy:
     
    71gold, Jan 28, 2006
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  9. Mavaholic

    Mavaholic Growing older but not up!

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    Plus you can build a 302/351 much cheaper than an FE motor.
     
    Mavaholic, Jan 28, 2006
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  10. littleredtoy

    littleredtoy Seth

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    If you 'throw' a 390 into the engine bay it will bust the shock towers anyway!
    It's a heavy sucker-like said above-expensive to build too.

    Stick with the 302.

    Seth
     
    littleredtoy, Jan 28, 2006
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  11. don graham

    don graham MCG State Rep

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    my vote is a 331 or 347.:)
     
    don graham, Jan 28, 2006
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  12. sierra grabber

    sierra grabber Certifiable

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    The 390 is an awesome engine for a truck, but for a mav id rather have a 351. what happened to the truck? maybe you should look around for a high boy as a second vehicle. i put an 11 foot camper on mine and tow an 18 foot boat, doesnt even notice except that it sucks a little more fuel.
     
    sierra grabber, Jan 28, 2006
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  13. rockndrifter06

    rockndrifter06 Member

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    not sure what happeind to the truck, only know guy got it froma trade or something its either the 302 or that cant afford diff motor, getting the comet for Cheap! and i wanted a project so thats it. 73 comet, all interir but carpet, minor rust on floor in two sports or so, needs paint, and im sure rebuild, all for $150
     
    rockndrifter06, Jan 28, 2006
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  14. tim keck

    tim keck truckdrivintrailertrash

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    Since it came out of a truck,99% chance is was a 360 anyway.
     
    tim keck, Jan 29, 2006
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  15. rockndrifter06

    rockndrifter06 Member

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    ah i c, could but ive never seen it
     
    rockndrifter06, Jan 29, 2006
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