66 mustang engine replacement 289 or 302

[Credzba]

Currently I have a 289 engine with edelbrock intake and carb. It had been bored 60 over, and finally the block warped enough that I just can't keep head gaskets on it.

So .. I go to the local engine shop, and they dont have any 289 cores. Can I just use a 302 short block and bolt all my 289 heads, intake, flywheel etc. back on it? (Already had heads rebuilt).

 

[Ronstang]

If you want a 289 then just have them use your crankshaft and rods....the block does not know whether it is a 289 or a 302 inside.

 

[Credzba]

Shouldn't the cylinder of a 302 block be larger bore that that of a 289, or is it just a stroke differrence between a 289 and a 302 ?

If they can in fact use my crank and pistons, is there anything else I should be concerned about, or get it rebuilt, re-assemble it, and I am good to go?

 

[Ronstang]

Find a new 289/302 bloack as they are technically the same and share the same bore/bore spacing. The only difference between the two engines is the stroke. Take them the new block and yours and have them use the 289 internals to rebuild you a 289 on a better overbore of about .030 or so....they will know what to do.

 

[Mr_siv]

the later blocks that were 302's are stamped 302, and the early engines that were 289's are stamped 289 on the block, but the blocks are interhangeable. I've heard that in '68 when they were changing from the 289 to the 302, some 289's got put in 302 blocks and vice versa.

- Jason