small metal shim like tag on front of motor???

[Matt34]

There is a small piece of metal that sticks out in the front of the engine down by the distributor cap that looks like a shim or spacer. It has been painted all this time but someone told me that was a tag with indentification numbers on it...

So I sc***** off the paint and the tag reads 390 70 12 and below that it reads O B K 311 AG on that same tag????

Anyone know what that means???

[chief455]

There is a small piece of metal that sticks out in the front of the engine down by the distributor cap that looks like a shim or spacer. It has been painted all this time but someone told me that was a tag with indentification numbers on it...

So I sc***** off the paint and the tag reads 390 70 12 and below that it reads O B K 311 AG on that same tag????

Anyone know what that means???

look here:
http://www.wrljet.com/fordv8/idtag.html

and here:
http://www.fordification.com/tech/engineIDtags.htm

[Matt34]

look here:
http://www.wrljet.com/fordv8/idtag.html

and here:
http://www.fordification.com/tech/engineIDtags.htm

Well it appears the motor in this car is from 1970 and isnt really anything speacial, although still a 390. Guess that settles it, no need in trying to stay original, it already isnt, lol.

Is this motor worth putting new heads and an aluminum manifold and new carb on it I wonder or removing it and trying to sell it and buy something else....

Any suggestions???

[kirk]

Well it appears the motor in this car is from 1970 and isnt really anything speacial, although still a 390. Guess that settles it, no need in trying to stay original, it already isnt, lol.

Is this motor worth putting new heads and an aluminum manifold and new carb on it I wonder or removing it and trying to sell it and buy something else....

Any suggestions???

Keep driving it. It doesn't have to be original for you (or others) to enjoy it.

[chief455]

Well it appears the motor in this car is from 1970 and isnt really anything speacial, although still a 390. Guess that settles it, no need in trying to stay original, it already isnt, lol.

Is this motor worth putting new heads and an aluminum manifold and new carb on it I wonder or removing it and trying to sell it and buy something else....

Any suggestions???

What are your performance and appearance goals and your budget?

[Matt34]

What are your performance and appearance goals and your budget?

The appearance of it I like, I like the original interior and the outside color of it has even grown on on me. I want to convert those drum brakes to disc and put some chrome rims on it, nothing to big like 20 or 22. Ones in a 5 point pattern like that other young guy had on his.

Performance wise i would like that car to one day when I stomp the gas pedal the front tires come up off the ground, lol.

The budget part is where the problem comes in. Is there a way to make that 390 that powerful or would you have to go with something bigger???

I dont even know how many horse power that engine has as is, the 311 number indicates I think its actually a 66 or 67 with a F-2 and something called cruiseomatic transmission or C-6. At least thats the best I can tell so far.

Thank everyone for the help once again as always, it is greatly appreciated.

[Matt34]

Keep driving it. It doesn't have to be original for you (or others) to enjoy it.

Thanks kirk i think you're right it just sucks because to my understanding the earlier model engines had more horespower. You live and you learn I guess. I only paid about 1200 for the car when i got it so pretty even deal I think.

[Pat]

Take comfort in the knowledge that the Mustang in Steve McQueen's movie "Bullitt" was a 390. It was just warmed over.

[chief455]

Nothing wrong with a 390. Though many different heads and camshafts came in various engines, not a whole bunch different, until you had real high compression and solid lifters. And these were not street friendly, by today's standards.
I had a stock truck 390 2 barrel carb motor, put a little cam in it, cheap headers, put a 3x2 barrel set up on - and the thing was an animal! Lasted a few summers too.
Have fun with it, don't let a tag bring you down ;)

[rauder88]

390s are not bad engines, even the later ones. It could be a whole new animal with just a cam swap. Tons of parts can be found at swap meets too on the cheap. If it were mine, I would enjoy it all summer while seeking parts (cam & lifters, heads, headers, intake & carb set up) then in the winter tear down and prepare for next spring :banana2:

[chief455]

390s are not bad engines, even the later ones. It could be a whole new animal with just a cam swap. Tons of parts can be found at swap meets too on the cheap. If it were mine, I would enjoy it all summer while seeking parts (cam & lifters, heads, headers, intake & carb set up) then in the winter tear down and prepare for next spring :banana2:
Exactly. That's what I do every year with every toy!
And they do make nice aluminum heads for an FE if you want to go big on $$. Check out BigM460 in the classifieds - his 68 Monterey is hooked up on a 390.

[Matt34]

well thanks guys you have truly brightened my day. I was driving down 1941 the other day to get an estimate on having the door panels redone and this little girl was taking pictures of the car with her phone. I got a kick out of it.