1970 f250 camper special

[lloyd70cs]

Thanks for your help!

Here is the driver's side

Drivers Side Cylinders.jpg

And the Passenger's Side

Passenger Side Cylinder.jpg

[DuckRyder]

Get the water and oil off the cylinder walls.

Have a look at the ring at the top of the cylinders above where the rings stop, is it pronounced? Can you catch a fingernail on it? Is there any cross hatch evident on the cylinder walls below the ridge?

If I took it any further down, I would just pull it and have the block done and cam bearings put in, but it looks pretty clean internally honestly.

If you are going to change the rotating assy, IMO just get a stroker package...

[lloyd70cs]

Here is what the driver's side head looks like.

Drivers Side Head.jpg

doing some reading online about what is entailed in even an economy upgrade to 390 I think I will save that until I don't have extra mouths to feed, baseball uniforms to buy, homeschooling curriculum to purchase....... For now, just clean up the surfaces, gaskets. Then on to the power steering and disc brakes.

[hfdco4]

Well that engine has been rebuilt at least once already, or at a minimum the heads have been worked on. Those pistons do not look like 360 originals and you can see you have at least two different kinds of exhaust valves. I think you need to get a good look at your heads and really see what kind of shape the valves are in. Looking at the one head, it appears only one cylinder was operating well. The other three have a lot of carbon or oil on them. Since you are this far, I would pull the engine and just go through what you have. That way you may save yourself a ton of money now.

[lloyd70cs]

390?

390.jpg

I will have to measure but the third piston is awfully close to the top.

Can I get away with just cleaning the heads up and slapping it back on or do I need to lap the valves etc.

I've cleaned up the coolant and carbon grit and gasket material.

thanks

[DuckRyder]

You pictures are not really big enough (I know forum limit) or detailed enough to answer your questions.

Roll number one up to TDC and check the how far down the corresponding cylinder is (IE measure stroke)...

Pistons say anything on top?

How about the crosshatch and ridge?

[Ranchero50]

See if there are any numbers of names on the gaskets as well. Possibly you have an unmolested car 390 in there. Per what to do, if it didn't smoke before or use oil I'd slap it back together and run it. If it did, figure up a budget and go from there.

[lloyd70cs]

There was no nail catching ridge on the cylinders so just cleaned them up. New gaskets and now its back together.

Valve Covers.jpg

[Ranchero50]

Did you at least get some measurements so you know what you have?

[lloyd70cs]

it was 3.5 so a 360.

[lloyd70cs]

so a little update as I have several things on the go. Baseball season for three kids sidetracked even the basic life processes and rhythms! I got the power steering installed but haven't tested it out yet. Haven't fully got the engine back together yet. Still need to clean up the carb. I got sidetracked with the steering being out and started on the cab. Got the new firewall pad in and started the EVA sound deadening insulation for the floor, then started to think about paint..... oh, yeah, got to get that engine running!

Well, I'll get there but now I've hit another wall. What color?! The truck is Harbor Blue, but I like Grabber Blue. I know at the end of the day I have to satisfy myself on this but having a hard time deciding. think I like grabber better, but since this will be a spray bomb, DIY amateur paint job I think the darker color will be just that bit more kind in hiding poor painting. Also, then I don't have to deal with the interior right away as it will match. And Lastly, then, instead of installing the new black upholstery I got from LMC i could get the local upholstery shop to repair the original seat. The back is perfect and the foam is good too.

Grabber Blue

Grabber Blue.jpg

Harbor Blue

Harbor Blue Fender.jpg

[hfdco4]

I like the Grabber Blue much better!

[lloyd70cs]

yeah, I do too but I decided on the harbor blue as I'm finding very little time to get stuff done on the truck so this saves me having to paint the interior right away. I decided on the new seat covers from LMC. that with the new carpet makes the inside look great. just have to do some work on the carb and paint the cab and I'll be done for a while.

[hfdco4]

Good luck sir and it is a great looking truck with either color!

[DuckRyder]

I’m sorta leaning toward the Harbor blue...