289 Head question

Exhooah · May 4, 2005

I was thinking of upgrading my stock 289 2v to an Edlebrock Performer manifold and an Edlebrock 500 cfm carb. I assumed the heads on the original 2v and 4v 289's were the same, but a local mechanic told me he thought I would have a probem because they were not the same and if I changed manifold/car set up to 4bbl I would also need to change the heads. Is this right?

68RustBucket · May 4, 2005

to my knowledge, that is completely incorrect. the heads might not take advantage of the increased flow of the intake and carb, but you shouldn't have any problems at all.

69Rcode_Mach1 · May 4, 2005

I have never heard that either, but if you want to spend money on an aftermarket manifold you should definantly get something better than the performer. Ther performer is like a stock manifold except made of aluminum. I would recommend a Weiand Xcelerator on that thing. Those manifolds are supposed to be an awesome manifold on the 289-302's.

Rapid · May 4, 2005

I have the setup you questioned on my 289 with stock heads. No problems at all and it works well.

The Dan · May 4, 2005

Get a new mechanic! Seriously. As long as the manifold is for a Ford 289 it will work...period. The only possible way it wouldn't is for example you have the heads milled way down, then you would have to get the manifold milled so the surface angles would match. But to say a 4 bbl intake won't work in place of a 2 bbl is absurd.

HistoricMustang · May 4, 2005

Exhooah said:
I was thinking of upgrading my stock 289 2v to an Edlebrock Performer manifold and an Edlebrock 500 cfm carb. I assumed the heads on the original 2v and 4v 289's were the same, but a local mechanic told me he thought I would have a probem because they were not the same and if I changed manifold/car set up to 4bbl I would also need to change the heads. Is this right?

Yep, he had been "smokin'" something. Let that be a lesson!

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

Exhooah · May 4, 2005

Rapid said:
I have the setup you questioned on my 289 with stock heads. No problems at all and it works well.

Rapid - Does this set up increase hp/performance enough to make it worth the money?

69Rcode_Mach1 · May 5, 2005

Exhooah said:
Rapid - Does this set up increase hp/performance enough to make it worth the money?

With the performer? No. I had one on my 351 and it is exactly like stock except it is aluminum. There are plenty of better manifolds you can get out there for the same price as the performer that will blow that manifold away though.

hyginkz · May 5, 2005

If you dont have the air injection/smog pump you can pick it up a bit by porting the exhaust side. It would take better advantage of what ever intake you try to use. Just a thought, and I don't have those very often.

Rapid · May 5, 2005

Yes, I am pleased with the set up. I get great street performance, 16 mpg on the highway and its powerfull enough to be fun. It is not a race car. I also have the cam that matches the intake and carb as well as a pertronix dist.

XXBULLETSXX · May 5, 2005

I guess you know now that your mechanic smokes crack on the side! LOL

I have a 66' 289 which was stock with a 4 barrel carb but I've done a lot of looking at other heads and I've never found a 2 barrel head. Now I could be wrong but I don't think I am (I'll retracked that if somecan show me some differences).
I agree don't use that intake. Go with something else like the Weiand Xcelerator I have that one and I think someone else mentioned it too. Also I would go with a larger carb than a 500. I would use a 600 or 650 holley. Remember Shelby put a 750 on the GT 350's, but those heads were larger and ported and polished, but it gives you an idea about how far you can go. If you go with a larger carb like a 600 or 650 than that sets you up for your cam change and maybe some aluminum heads when you get there.

lastley, don't let your loaded mechanic drive your car before you fire his butt because he's full of j/k!

84convertablegt · May 6, 2005

now i feel bad about my performer intake. im planning on some new heads down the road, that will be the time for a new intake too. tell me what you think of this combo? aftermarket aluminum heads (whatever brand w/ 58cc chambers and the usual) weiand excellerator, and a holley street avenger 670. i currently have a 600 holley 4160 which is probably good enough, but i love the sa670, its my favorite carb. any thoughts, would this intake flow enough. i know my performer wont.

65ShelbyClone · May 6, 2005

69Rcode_Mach1 said:
I would recommend a Weiand Xcelerator on that thing. Those manifolds are supposed to be an awesome manifold on the 289-302's.

Thats what I had on my '65 notchback's 289 and also what I'm going to put on my '68's roller 302. On the '65 it really came alive over the Holley dual plane it replaced(which was little better than a stock 4bbl intake ).

To the best of my knowledge, the only difference between 2bbl and 4bbl 289 heads was 4bbl heads having screw-in rocker studs.

65ShelbyClone · May 6, 2005

Son of a..... first my connection times out now this?

Double post

84convertablegt · May 6, 2005

the 4bbl did not have screw in studs, they were the same. if any had them, it was the hipo but i dont think it even did. there are alot of misconceptions about the hipo motor as far as hardened stuff and whatnot.

D.Hearne · May 6, 2005

Both the 2 & 4 bbl 289's had the same heads. No difference. The Hi-po heads were also, with the exception of screw in studs, and cast in spring pockets, ( they didn't need guide plates with the pushrod slots in the heads)

65ShelbyClone · May 6, 2005

D.Hearne said:
The Hi-po heads were also, with the exception of screw in studs,.........

Thats what I was thinking of, not 4 barrel heads on the whole. My bad.

I guess it ultimately does not matter since a 4bbl intake will bolt right on. That mechanic is a screwball who either doesnt know his stuff or is trying to sell some heads.

Rapid · May 6, 2005

Has there been any difinitive flow testing on these intakes?? We are all giving impressions here and there are all types of other factors that contribute to our impressions.

Max Power · May 6, 2005

I think your mechanic was thinking of Cleveland engines.

Jonstantine · May 7, 2005

the intake will work with your heads

but just remember some of the people giving you advice have NOT actually done the EXACT swap you mentioned
some of the intake advice given, imo, is junk

but if you want very good hp gains - a manifold/carb swap by itself is not going to be worthwhile imo
save up a little bit and change the cam (and get headers)

i had the performer carb, cam and intake and my 66 was capable of high 14's (along with dual exhaust and headers and some other more minor stuff)
using stock heads with a good valve job!

some good heads, and it would be much faster
also, when i switched to a single plane intake, the power up top was slightly better, but the gas mileage was a good bit worse

if you get an edelbrock/carter carburetor, dont get larger than 500cfm or you'll have problems
holleys with vacuum secondaries can be bigger

save up and do it right

289 Head question

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