Performance upgrades for a new owner

My thanks to everyone for your kind responses. I did check the banger threads on the hamb. I appreciate that this is a restoration site so anything else I ask here will be about the basics of the car. I do have a lot to learn.

What would balancing an engine cost?

I know some of you guys asked what my budget for engine upgrades would be. I always start any question of cost with, "If I have a job next year" If I do, I could see putting a thousand or so into the engine over time.

Thanks again!
 
Tinker said:
Your welcome Hardtimes. The hamb threads can go by quickly and there is always so many different topics that the monthly banger thread gets lost in the mix... or should I say it's a stealth thread! One of my favorites on the hamb that goes on every month.

rmak, the guys that post on the banger thread on the hamb are easy going guys. I would assume alot of them are over here as well. I agree with you, it's like a peaceful country road over here compared to the LA freeway of the hamb. But if you get in to the right lane, the freeway can get you where you want to go.
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Yupp that`s right as I am on both sites aswell as the Flyers hotrod site and the Canadian rodders .com.
 
Do you notice a huge drop off in your F150 trans from the 2nd to 3rd shift? Takes a while to get it going in 3rd even though it's a 1:1 ratio. I have plenty of power from my inserted B with Crower rods, cam, headers, igntion and carb. A friend suggests that I take out the 4:11's in the rear.
 
4bangerrodder said:
Do you notice a huge drop off in your F150 trans from the 2nd to 3rd shift? Takes a while to get it going in 3rd even though it's a 1:1 ratio. I have plenty of power from my inserted B with Crower rods, cam, headers, igntion and carb. A friend suggests that I take out the 4:11's in the rear.
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If you have 4:11 rear end gear ratio and you are experiencing "a huge drop off" then you are not making the power that you think you are. About the only steeper ratio you could go with to compensate for that would be a 4:33 or a 4:56 ...which is not ideal IMHO either. Starting back at the top, ...which head, which camshaft, which intake & carb, etc. do you have. What is your driving conditions (terrain? altitude? etc.??) Maybe your "combination" is what is ailing it?
 
As Brent said, something must be limiting your low end torque. I have F150 23% overdrive and 3.78 gears. 5.5 head,Stipe 330 cam,balanced engine and stock Zenith.
My Tudor had no trouble climbing 6300 ft. Mac Donalds pass in Montana this summer. I could maintain about 45 mph in 3rd gear. If it dropped below 40,I felt is was lugging and shifted to 2nd. I only had to downshift once.

John
 
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