289 hp limit?

[Bosscat]

I have tried to search this, but I keep coming up blank.

I know the more modern 302s buy the farm around 500, does that ring true with the 289s? I am thinking of going forged stroker with a T76 set up in my 66.

 

[SoCalCruising]

They seem to be a tad better than a 5.0 roller block, but not by all that much. If you are going to stroke and turbo a small block, you would be best served to buy an R302, Boss, Dart or World block. Any of these would handle your buildup.

 

[Bosscat]

I am over in England, so I was trying to avoid having to ship an aftermarket block over here. So, pretty much 500 for it as well?

Nice '66 you have. Is there any other pics on the web of it?

 

[D.Hearne]

It's not really the HP output that overstresses the block, but rather the increased mass rotating inside the block. Ford was pushing more power thru the blocks with the Indy DOHC engine. But it wasn't bored and stroked to the max like a 347. Put more mass in there and spin it to 7500, that's what does it.

 

[Bosscat]

Are we talking the actual mass of the rotating assmebly, or the mass being thrown around due to the long stroke? I guess with the longer rods, that would account for the greater mass? I was under the impression that it was the higher RPM that was culprit. You learn something new every day

 

[D.Hearne]

The more weight you put into a container and the faster you spin that weight, the more stress it creates. I was watching a video of a restored steam locomotive (Southern Pacific #4449--based in Oregon) that's capable of 100+mph running, the guy filming the video asked the locomotive's owner/operator what it was like running that fast. His reply was "SCARY, you REALLY don't want to be anywhere near the cab while those main rods are flailing around that fast" And those things weigh probably a thousand pounds + each. The faster you spin something, the more centrifugal force it creates and the more strength it takes to retain that force.

 

[Bosscat]

So, with that in mind. A 289 would hold more HP with a smaller stroke? But, then you give up the torque on the low end. Then you have to consider what you want to run, if your running hydro, you might as well go with the stroker, since you wont be revving over 6500, which would be my case. I all ready own a solid Boss 302, that would really sick to have to do adjust both engines

 

[D.Hearne]

Who told you that you couldn't rev over 6500 rpms with a hydraulic cam? Roller or flat? My 331's built on a roller E7TE block and it's been to 7500. Been there also with a 302 roller. You have to upgrade the lifters to do it. The stock Ford roller lifters don't make the grade. Crane makes stock replacements that are good for 7500. That's what I have in mine.

 

[Bosscat]

Really? I was under the impression that hydro float after 6500. I will look for some Crane rollers then, thanks for the advice.

 

[D.Hearne]

Crane Part number 36530-16 These replace the O.E. style roller lifters Summit catalog shows em a $170 a set. These are the ones i've run. The factory rollers do float at 5500-6500. I ran these in a 302 with a B303 cam adn 1.7 rockers on Canfield Heads with the springs the heads came with. 7500 wasn't a problem. In the 331, same set of heads and rockers but with a Z303 cam. I usually shift at 6500, but my kid informed me the other day he was taking it to 7500 I never felt the need tospin it that high.

 

[Bosscat]

Kids now days

 

[D.Hearne]

Yea, then he let off the gas at 7500 and sucked one intake gasket into the port. Took awhile to diagnose that one. It was the top of #3 port which is hidden by the fuel log on the 3x2 intake. Spray carb cleaner works wonders for that.

 

[Bosscat]

I have used carb cleaner many time for that