Resolved Need help!! 289 with 351 firing order issues

Falcon67

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Jun 13, 2024

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Jun 13, 2024

#1

• Jun 13, 2024

• #1

Hi folks, I have a 1967 289 engine restored 8 years ago with a E-Street top end kit from Edelbrock and DUI distributor. I´ve been unable to finish with this car till this year. When we started it we realized that the only firing order that "works" is the one from a 351 and its imposible to set a normal idle. It backfires thru the carb all the time. My suspicion is that maybe the guy from Summit sent a wrong camshaft to the guys who reassembled the engine is 8 years ago. I´ve heard that a 289 can walk with a 351 cam but Im not sure. I also installed a pressure regulator before the carb thinking that the backfire was caused by overpressure. What do you guys think?
Now one of my big doubts is if the 351 distributor gear teeth the same as the 289? Here you can hear it.

Thanks!!

 

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Realmongo

I prefer to be called "Evil Genius"

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Jun 16, 2024

#2

• Jun 16, 2024

• #2

A 351W cam will work fine in a 289 if the 351W firing order is used.
The distributor gear must be compatible with the cam, or in other words, a cast iron cam needs a cast iron distributor gear, and a steel camshaft needs a steel distributor gear.

 

Falcon67

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Jun 13, 2024

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Jun 16, 2024

#3

• Jun 16, 2024

• #3

Realmongo said:

A 351W cam will work fine in a 289 if the 351W firing order is used.
The distributor gear must be compatible with the cam, or in other words, a cast iron cam needs a cast iron distributor gear, and a steel camshaft needs a steel distributor gear.

Click to expand...

Thanks! The distribuitor is a Davis Unified and the cam is the one that came with the Edelbrock kit. Are they compatible?

 

Realmongo

I prefer to be called "Evil Genius"

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Jun 19, 2024

#4

• Jun 19, 2024

• #4

Falcon67 said:

Thanks! The distribuitor is a Davis Unified and the cam is the one that came with the Edelbrock kit. Are they compatible?

Click to expand...

You will need to refer to the manufacturer's webpage for the exact model of the distributor and camshaft to see what material they are made from. When I shifted from the stock Ford cast iron camshaft to an ISKY steel roller camshaft, I had to upgrade my distributor to a 1985 5.0 distributor that had a steel gear to be compatible with the steel roller cam Ford built that year's 5.0 with.

 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

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Jun 27, 2024

#5

• Jun 27, 2024

• #5

If the carb has set for a long time it may need to have a kit put in it.

 

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Falcon67

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Jun 28, 2024

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• Jun 28, 2024

• #6

AeroCoupe said:

If the carb has set for a long time it may need to have a kit put in it.

Click to expand...

we opened it and everything was new.. carb is new but has been siting in the engine for 8 years

 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Founding Member

Oct 28, 2001

5,845

3,975

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Claremore, OK

Jun 28, 2024

#7

• Jun 28, 2024

• #7

I’d put a kit in it sitting that long.

 

2Blue2

will be trying this sex one when I can find it

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Mar 5, 2019

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Jul 6, 2024

#8

• Jul 6, 2024

• #8

After all the sitting look for things like;
vacuum leak (new gaskets that sat sat and never ran have shrunk)
Carb has an internal leak needs a kit
distributor advance frozen from sitting
coil or module has gone bad
crappy gas

My buddies DUI worked great once the gear was sorted out.
I have a 289 with the 5.0 firing order and it has worked great.