1969 Ford F250 (360 V8) What carburetor works best?

[HecktorKamacho]

Hello,

I recently purchased a 1969 Ford F250 4x4 and was told before I got to the truck that it had a 390 V8, but upon reading the air cleaner housing, which said 360, I determined the seller was misinformed, which is a side issue. The motor runs, but not with a lot of power and it feels like the timing is off. The carburetor also leaks fuel. I would like to change out the carburetor and then have the timing on the motor tuned in, but I do not know what carburetor works best for this truck. I'm not worried about cost too much. I'd really just like a well performing carburetor to get the thing running right and fed properly. I do intend to do some off roading in it from time to time, so that is something I need to take into consideration. Any suggestions or recommendations will be much appreciated. Thanks!

[wyldstallyn73]

Motorcraft 2v in a 1.21 size

[trkklr77]

gm qjet or a dual feed holley. no eddlbrock. and no single line holley.

[mj]

all 360s magically become 390s when they are for sale

[desteurm]

A stock 360 V8 doesn't need more than the reliable and well mannered Motorcraft 2150 2bbl that came on the later v8's. It certainly doesn't need more than 400 cfm even with a rv cam.

[HecktorKamacho]

Hello MJ, I was prepared for it when I went to look at the truck. Still pisses me off a bit, but the body and in cab are in great condition. The guy claims it was rebuilt and bored .30 over, but he had no papers and I have no way of verifying it, that I know of. Either way, it's a bit choppy, but it runs. I'm happy enough.

[HecktorKamacho]

Okay, I gotcha. As usual, being young and not as well educated in these matters as I'd like, my inclination was to go for a four barrel, with higher cfm than you guys have suggested. I do recall my uncle telling me that oversizing a carburetor can actually lose you power, so I appreciate what I'm being told here. That said, in your opinions, for a stock 360 (possibley bored .30 over) I should not go with anything larger than a two barrel, with no more than 400 cfm? There's no benefit to going bigger, right?

[4XFORD]

Originally Posted by HecktorKamacho

was told before I got to the truck that it had a 390 V8, but upon reading the air cleaner housing, which said 360, I determined the seller was misinformed

Good chance it is a 360 but a sticker on the air cleaner doesn't mean it's not a 390. The difference between a 360 and a 390 is the stroke so to determine what you have you need to measure the stroke.

Remove a spark plug and with the coil wire off rotate the engine by hand until the that piston is at the top of it's stroke. Take a small wire or welding rod etc. and put it in the spark plug hole until it touches the piston then make a reference mark on it. Make sure there's at least 6 inches sticking out and rotate the engine until the piston is at the bottom of it's stroke, make another reference mark. Now measure the distance between the marks, 3.5" and it's 360, 3.75" and it's a 390.

Don't bad mouth the seller until you verify what it really is, 40 year old stickers don't count for squat.

[HecktorKamacho]

Hello 4XFORD, thank you for the direction. I will do this and verify what I have. Point taken on bad mouthing the seller. The guy also failed to mention a small leak in the fuel tank selector valve, which I'm having to deal with right now. Ahhh, but it's the small things, right? LOL! No biggie, I'll fix em'. I really appreciate the help here. Back to the carburetor issue, I do intend to do some 4wheeling and I've been looking at the Holly Truck Avenger. Any thoughts? The idea of going simpler and therefore less expensive is appealing, but I would like a good performing carburetor that I don't end up grumbling about later. If that makes since. Please let me know.

[JGVABronco78]

Originally Posted by HecktorKamacho

.......The guy also failed to mention a small leak in the fuel tank selector valve, which I'm having to deal with right now.....

Where did they stuff the other tank? High-boys only ever came with an 18 gallon tank behind the seat. What's the first 4 digits of the VIN on the door plate?

[Totalled]

If you feel like swapping the intake, you can't go wrong with a 600 holley and performer intake. If you leave it stock, a 1.21 venturi 2100 series ford 2 barrel will be plenty. If it still has points, convert it to duraspark ignition or drop in a pertronix electronic kit.

[HecktorKamacho]

Hello again JGVABronco78, I don't have the vin in front of me. It starts with an F, but there is a second tank in the bed of the truck, tucked up against the cab side of the bed. It's also got the 18 gallon you mentioned behind the seat.

[HecktorKamacho]

Totalled, thank you. That makes since to me. I'll price the intake and check out the ignition kit. I'm still on the fense, but now have research to do. Thank you again. Any thoughts ont he Holly TUCK AVENGER???

[outfitter540]

Should help a bit

[4XFORD]

Originally Posted by Totalled

If it still has points, convert it to duraspark ignition or drop in a pertronix electronic kit.

Excellent advice.

Carb: That's why you really need to find out what the engine is. If it's a 390 with 9:1 compression and a RV cam then a Performer manifold and Truck Avenger would do nicely and a 2150 2bbl would work fine but leave you under carbed. If it's a stock 360 with 8:1 compression, stock cam and retarded timing then the Performer/Avenger would be too much and the 2150 would be perfect.

[just4cuz]

If it has the factory retarded timing, you can bring it to life by putting in an earlier timing set or a Cloyes gear and chain set to straight up. My 74 had a fuel filter on the front of the factory carb. When it got clogged up it ran like crap. I used to carry a couple spares. Early Ford point distributors were notorious for the points going out of adjustment. Eletronic ignition is your friend here (as stated earlier). I would consider rebuilding your stock carb (if it is). They are not very difficult to rebuild. I think your money would be better spent there and on an eletronic ignition system, especially if you find it is a 360.

[4XFORD]

Originally Posted by just4cuz

If it has the factory retarded timing, you can bring it to life by putting in an earlier timing set or a Cloyes gear and chain set to straight up. My 74 had a fuel filter on the front of the factory carb. When it got clogged up it ran like crap. I used to carry a couple spares. Early Ford point distributors were notorious for the points going out of adjustment. Eletronic ignition is your friend here (as stated earlier). I would consider rebuilding your stock carb (if it is). They are not very difficult to rebuild. I think your money would be better spent there and on an eletronic ignition system, especially if you find it is a 360.

I agree with this 100%. If I had your truck I would give it a basic tune up and change the fuel filter and add these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-...Q5fAccessories

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductD...pe=428&PTSet=A

It's performance might surprise you. You need it running right and determine what it is before you upgrade and stack problems.

[Jrod-13]

I'm suprised no one has mentioned a 500 holley.. A motorcraft 2bbl is a nice unit, but IMHO, the 500 holley usualy makes better power..

[GMCTruxrule]

Used to have an old 70 LTD with a 390 2V. Had 198,000 miles on the clock when I got it.

It ran strong, it ran hard. Smooth power up to 120. Definitely couldn't fault that 2 barrel.

And the points ignition was faultless too. Maybe just got lucky. But never had to touch it.

The only thing I did to that motor was replace the timing chain set, as the nylon on the cam gear had broken off and was sitting in the bottom of the oil pan.

Good car, wish I'd kept the motor after my sister wrecked it.

[Totalled]

Originally Posted by 4XFORD

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductD...pe=428&PTSet=A

That's a Holley kit. This is an autolight/motorcraft kit: http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductD...pe=428&PTSet=A

Yes, the Holly carbs make more power, but a 500 might be a tad doggy on a stock 360. My reman 2100 carb from my 352 was too lean for my car 390. It would have liked the Holley 500.

OP: Measure your stroke yet?

I almost forgot the biggest power adder for FEs... Headers. Headers and a good dual exhaust will make a big difference, even on a stock motor. My 352 became a whole different motor with headers and 2.5" duals, even with a 2V and points still in place.

[4XFORD]

Originally Posted by Totalled

That's a Holley kit. This is an autolight/motorcraft kit: http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductD...pe=428&PTSet=A


OP: Measure your stroke yet?

Good catch, someday I will learn to reed an rite engrish.

[barillms]

Carbs blow. You need fuel injection if you drive on uneven terrain

[just4cuz]

Lets help him get it running right first before fuel injection. Even if you don't install headers a nice 2.5 dual exhaust system with turbo mufflers works well. Something else just came to mind also, find a later model clutch fan and put on the engine. As I remember they had a solid hub fan that ran all the time. Those things are noisy.

[manteca]

I've toyed with a lot of carburetors. If it's going to go offroad, motorcraft 2150 is the only way to go. Definitely do your research prior to spending money, but even if it is a 390 I'd still go with a motorcraft.

If you have fuel injection thoughts, don't waste your time and money, go here http://www.gotpropane.com/p4.html I converted my '74 Bronco, it's never ran better, I don't think it has burped or stumbled once ever since the conversion. Even when it's on its side.

[Halogrinder]

im still in love with my truck avenger 670. its been tweaked though.