390 to a 446 fe..... which is best heads?

hi everybody, just tossing around what heads an intake to use on my fe build, trickflow 175 fe or eldy’s or, like to see around 550hp anyone with similar builds an advice, from experience.

working on 390 fe to 446
10.5-11.11 compression  “pump gas”
4.090 bore
6.7 rods
4.250 crankshaft
going hydraulic roller, something close to
248-256 @.50 range with .580/.565 lift on 107
probably rpm intake
750 carb
electric water pump


gonna be driver going in my 63 1/2 galaxie 500, just nice driver with some pep
c6 trans
373 gears

I have a really nice offenhauser port-o-sonic for sale. I have checked jegs and summit it shows a price tag of 560.00 or more but is not availlable. I used this manifold for a very short while on a 1974 torino that I shoehorned a 390 and c6 in. The victor came out shortly after and I changed the intake to a victor. Big mistake the port-o-sonic ran much better but car got sold but still have intake. Make an offer and I can send pics.

A buddy of mine built a 445 FE but unfortunately I don’t know all of the specifics of the build. I know its 10:1, pump gas, Eddy Heads, hyd roller and it uses an original 60’s Ford 3 duces setup. It made right at 500 hp and the torque was very close to that value also.

thanks guys, from what i’ve been seeing an reading i’m gonna use the trickflow heads, definitely nice to see how other builds finished up an produced nice numbers, it’s good education an motivation!

old blue wrote:hi everybody, just tossing around what heads an intake to use on my fe build, trickflow 175 fe or eldy’s or, like to see around 550hp anyone with similar builds an advice, from experience.

working on 390 fe to 446
10.5-11.11 compression  “pump gas”
4.090 bore
6.7 rods
4.250 crankshaft
going hydraulic roller, something close to
248-256 @.50 range with .580/.565 lift on 107
probably rpm intake
750 carb
electric water pump


gonna be driver going in my 63 1/2 galaxie 500, just nice driver with some pep
c6 trans
373 gears

Personally ... I like the "Survivor" heads when they are available.

Have you been to fepower forums ? They will have a couple of builds with the trick flow heads on there and some real world info .Also another option is a ported iron head .Lots of options for the fe now .And like Randy said the survival head is another good piece from one of the best fe builders Barry from survival motorsports .Before purchasing I would go to the fe power website lots of options there .Doug

fe sure has lots of good info, an i like the blue thunder stuff but finished cnc price an availablity play a huge factor in their heads, but they are the big number making heads though, but for the money and basic build i think i’m leaning towards trickflow right now, i have the iron c1ae heads, but the time i get them ported an worked with good valve train i would be not to far off from aluminum heads, i got alot to learn an a bunch of great guy’s with good info on the forum, always a big help an makes for a good learning curve.

old blue wrote:fe sure has lots of good info, an i like the blue thunder stuff but finished cnc price an availablity play a huge factor in their heads, but they are the big number making heads though, but for the money and basic build i think i’m leaning towards trickflow right now, i have the iron c1ae heads, but the time i get them ported an worked with good valve train i would be not to far off from aluminum heads, i got alot to learn an a bunch of great guy’s with good info on the forum, always a big help an makes for a good learning curve.

"Pro Max" has FE heads having 2 different chamber sizes available at good prices.
I have heard some good things about them but, no first hand usage.

They will provide a couple different valve sizes and valve spring options at your request, though big exhaust valves won't fit with a 4.090" bore block.

Look carefully at some of the trick flow builds on fe power .Some have had to mill there rocker stands to get a good contact pattern on their valves .Just trying to make you aware .And those c1s you have Blair Patrick can make those flow pretty good too. Look before you leap!

trick flow recomends these rockers.
Harland Sharp S4006NBK
http://www.harlandsharp.com/instructions/4006NBK%20webpage.pdf
also they make good power on a 390 as well with a small cam.

https://static.trickflow.com/global/images/chartsguides/t/tfs-56417001-c00_he.pdf