[anyone done a ford 390 swap?]

Don't bother, the FE Fords were far better truck engines than performance engines. They have great torque but just don't rev. I have a 406 in a 67 Mustang GT, made awesome tire smoke, but any solid running SBC or Mopar would beat it. The weight factor is also a negative in the Z. Build a 351W and have power and handling.

Bill

[COLOR??? which is best for an early z]

My Z is almost ready for paint. 76-280 with custom bumpers, air dam, rocker ground effects and a custom built whale-tail (made from an Escort GT spoiler) and a custom cowled hood for intake clearance. She's going to be Viper Racing Yellow with White stripes. I do my own painting, I think it's going to look reeeal good.

Bill

[Venting front of hood]

I am building a 76 280 with a Holley 4bbl. I needed hood clearance for the carb, since I added a 1" insulator block and a 1/2" NOS plate. Since the under hood supports on a Z are all peripheral, I cut the hood 4" from each side and 4" across the back. Then welded 1/8" rod around the openings and raised the hood 2" at the rear edge, and forward 16" from the back edge. Basically creating a cowl hood. I welded in diamond grating, to keep the punks from messing with my motor. It looks nasty, not on the road yet, but soon. Maybe some blue neon lights in the engine bay, just to keep my motor company.

Bill