Ideas on 289 rebuild

[rebel65]

I would also skip the iron exhaust manifolds, especially the 289 hipo ones, it doesn't sound like they fit in your budget. just get a simple set of shorty headers from headman or whatever.and 2.25 - 2.5 exhaust.

i would say with your budget freshen the block, look for some used aluminum heads, call comp cams or crane or whoever and tell them exactly what you want out of your 289, i would go all hydraulic, bump up the compression to above 9.5 and you'll have exactly what you're looking for. you don't mind using premium, right?

 

[tx65coupe]

I also think that you would be better off with 2.25 exhaust.

I strongly urge you to consider a different muffler, don't run the Flowmasters. After a short amount of time you will wish you had gone with something else.

I would not run the 351 manifolds. I'd rather have HiPo manifolds.

That carb is a little on the small side.

 

[PoppyMod]

Just wanted to throw in there that its not the wisest move because the block does not have the extensions on the bottom of the cylinder to allow for the additional stroke a 302 has, therefore stroking it even more could possibly lead to problems in a 289 down the road. If stroking, always spend the extra 75 bucks and find a 302 block somewhere, just my 2 cents.

Hi,
I have to mention, your comment regarding "extensions on the bottom of the cylinder to allow for the additional stroke a 302 has, therefore stroking it even more could possibly lead to problems in a 289 down the road."
This is, simply, very suspect!

This bore length comment regarding the 289 vs 302 has been beaten up all over the place. This is not to state, that somewhere in a future casting, this didn't take occur, but, it never surfaced as proven at the time and guys were all over the place measuring their blocks. The drawings that surfaced at the time never showed a difference.
When I was blue-printing my assembly, I took measurements at the time, for the guys during a this discussion in the ******* forum. We determined there was no difference. I did have to compensate with a deck loss of about .018" that occurred over the years through "true-ing" the block. To get to within .005 + zero deck. I had to "lop" off .013" from the tops of my pistons.
I stroked my 46 year old "D" code 289 from 302 to what is now a 331 (334 cubes) and has been dynoed at 392 RWHP at 6100 w/400 RWTQ at 4400. This without, so much as notching the barrels, many reported had to be done starting with 331 stroker kits.

So, ?????

Happy Motoring!
The only issue that surfaced when one wants to go with a hydraulic rollers, in the non-roller block, is the lifter bore length is shorter. I'm sorry, I never took this measurement and wish I had.
However, this can be over-come by using "link-bar" lifters. This is what I did.

 

[rebel65]

I also think that you would be better off with 2.25 exhaust.

I strongly urge you to consider a different muffler, don't run the Flowmasters. After a short amount of time you will wish you had gone with something else.

I would not run the 351 manifolds. I'd rather have HiPo manifolds.

That carb is a little on the small side.

he already has the 2.5", i agree that he doesn't need it especially if using the cast iron manifolds and stock heads, the flows and the 351 manifolds tho. : ) some people actually do like flows better, plus you have no idea what flow he's going to use. i have Delta 50's on my 392 and i love it.. i didn't want super loud, drone, and i didn't get it... is kinda loud tho, not in 5th gear.

he's on a budget and i don't think 250 dollar cast iron logs would be a better fit than 150 dollar Shorty headers, or the logs he already has.

 

[robbz28]

Hi,
I have to mention, your comment regarding "extensions on the bottom of the cylinder to allow for the additional stroke a 302 has, therefore stroking it even more could possibly lead to problems in a 289 down the road."
This is, simply, very suspect!

This bore length comment regarding the 289 vs 302 has been beaten up all over the place. This is not to state, that somewhere in a future casting, this didn't take occur, but, it never surfaced as proven at the time and guys were all over the place measuring their blocks. The drawings that surfaced at the time never showed a difference.
When I was blue-printing my assembly, I took measurements at the time, for the guys during a this discussion in the ******* forum. We determined there was no difference. I did have to compensate with a deck loss of about .018" that occurred over the years through "true-ing" the block. To get to within .005 + zero deck. I had to "lop" off .013" from the tops of my pistons.
I stroked my 46 year old "D" code 289 from 302 to what is now a 331 (334 cubes) and has been dynoed at 392 RWHP at 6100 w/400 RWTQ at 4400. This without, so much as notching the barrels, many reported had to be done starting with 331 stroker kits.

So, ?????

Happy Motoring!
The only issue that surfaced when one wants to go with a hydraulic rollers, in the non-roller block, is the lifter bore length is shorter. I'm sorry, I never took this measurement and wish I had.
However, this can be over-come by using "link-bar" lifters. This is what I did.

Well, guess thats a lesson not to believe everything you read on the internet, read that on this forum somewhere and a few other places. Im not originally a ford guy, i can tell you the minute differences in small block chevys, this is my first ford, and so far has been a joy working on.

 

[tx65coupe]

he already has the 2.5", i agree that he doesn't need it especially if using the cast iron manifolds and stock heads, the flows and the 351 manifolds tho. : ) some people actually do like flows better, plus you have no idea what flow he's going to use. i have Delta 50's on my 392 and i love it.. i didn't want super loud, drone, and i didn't get it... is kinda loud tho, not in 5th gear.

he's on a budget and i don't think 250 dollar cast iron logs would be a better fit than 150 dollar Shorty headers, or the logs he already has.

I reallize that most of us are on a budget, but I would rather set it up the way I really want it even if it takes a little longer.

I suppose he could run the 351 manifolds for a while.

I don't think the 150 dollars shorties are a good idea. From what I have seen, they generally do not last all that long or hold up well.

I don't care wich Flows he has they are all a poor choice. The bigger ones that are toned down a little have so many baffles in them that there is no way they can flow very well. All chambered mufflers sound hollow and drone. I would rather have turbo mufflers.

 

[68xstang]

I reallize that most of us are on a budget, but I would rather set it up the way I really want it even if it takes a little longer.

I suppose he could run the 351 manifolds for a while.

I don't think the 150 dollars shorties are a good idea. From what I have seen, they generally do not last all that long or hold up well.

I don't care wich Flows he has they are all a poor choice. The bigger ones that are toned down a little have so many baffles in them that there is no way they can flow very well. All chambered mufflers sound hollow and drone. I would rather have turbo mufflers.

You are absolutely right. Budget is tight as always... That's why I am planning ahead, and finding good used parts to use.
I will use the 351W manifolds and the flowmaster 44s in the beginning. If I am not happy with the performance, I will change them. However, there is no use putting in cheap uncoated headers, which will cause extra heat and leakage problems. If I go for headers, I will go for quality.

tx65coupe, what heads and cam are you using? Your car sounds really nice and has a good idling. I really like it!!

 

[PoppyMod]

You are absolutely right. Budget is tight as always... That's why I am planning ahead, and finding good used parts to use.
I will use the 351W manifolds and the flowmaster 44s in the beginning. If I am not happy with the performance, I will change them. However, there is no use putting in cheap uncoated headers, which will cause extra heat and leakage problems. If I go for headers, I will go for quality.

tx65coupe, what heads and cam are you using? Your car sounds really nice and has a good idling. I really like it!!

I'll add..
Your choice of headers and intake, early-on, that compliment your planned use for the engine can be a one-time purchase, if chosen wisely. They are one of the few "go-fast" goodies, that can be a one time purchase.
Including my 46 year old block, I have run TRY-Ys, Performer RPM, and 2.5" exhaust with "X" balance through all of my builds (289/302/306/331) and for over 10 years.
Regarding muffs, there is a sound difference between balance tube styles too. The "X" has a different sound than the standard "H" style. A good idea, although getting late in the season now, is to attend a few cruises and shows and talk to those guys whose car has the sound that you prefer. For me, it's SpinTech muffs to 3" SS resonators outlets.
Also, a couple of the muff sites have sound bites too.
Good Luck!

 

[tx65coupe]

You are absolutely right. Budget is tight as always... That's why I am planning ahead, and finding good used parts to use.
I will use the 351W manifolds and the flowmaster 44s in the beginning. If I am not happy with the performance, I will change them. However, there is no use putting in cheap uncoated headers, which will cause extra heat and leakage problems. If I go for headers, I will go for quality.

tx65coupe, what heads and cam are you using? Your car sounds really nice and has a good idling. I really like it!!

Thank You! I love how it sounds too.

It has an Edelbrock Power Package top end kit on a 1990 Mustang 5.0 with a 650 Thunder AVS carb.

I'm not sure if its exactly the same, but its like this setup.

Edelbrock 2091 - Edelbrock Power Package Top-End Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

[tx65coupe]

I'll add..
Your choice of headers and intake, early-on, that compliment your planned use for the engine can be a one-time purchase, if chosen wisely. They are one of the few "go-fast" goodies, that can be a one time purchase.
Including my 46 year old block, I have run TRY-Ys, Performer RPM, and 2.5" exhaust with "X" balance through all of my builds (289/302/306/331) and for over 10 years.
Regarding muffs, there is a sound difference between balance tube styles too. The "X" has a different sound than the standard "H" style. A good idea, although getting late in the season now, is to attend a few cruises and shows and talk to those guys whose car has the sound that you prefer. For me, it's SpinTech muffs to 3" SS resonators outlets.
Also, a couple of the muff sites have sound bites too.
Good Luck!

Spintech Mufflers sound cool too. Do you have video link to yours?

 

[68xstang]

I'll add..
Regarding muffs, there is a sound difference between balance tube styles too. The "X" has a different sound than the standard "H" style. A good idea, although getting late in the season now, is to attend a few cruises and shows and talk to those guys whose car has the sound that you prefer. For me, it's SpinTech muffs to 3" SS resonators outlets.
Good Luck!

Do you have a sound clip to share?


tx65coupe, could you share some under car pictures of your exhaust system? It would be great to see how it's made.

 

[HDTony]

If you end up needing a crank rods or stock heads for the 289, I have those

 

[PoppyMod]

Do you have a sound clip to share?


tx65coupe, could you share some under car pictures of your exhaust system? It would be great to see how it's made.

Hi I have a sound clip, but it's 190mb. I will try to locate the site I use for transferring large files.