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[uk66fastback]

Hi, Pretty new to the boards and loooking for some guidance.

I'm rebuilding a fastback here in the Uk and it has an old battered 289 in it which I fancy selling and replacing with a nice 351.

I've seen their site and it's pretty impressive - anyone here have any experience of using them or buying a motor from them?

I'd be looking at their 351 motor I should think.

They're in New Jersey if anyone knows them.

See www.mustang-engines.com

Shipping to the Uk for the crate motor would be about $1200 but still cheaper than buying one this side of the pond ...

Any help appreciated.

Another question while I'm here - I see all this talk of stroker engines - say a 347 from a 302 ...

Is it possible to 'stroke' a 289? And if so, what's the max capacity you can go to?

 

[SoCalCruising]

Yes, you can stroke 289. It was common practice (after the 302 came out) to swap in a 302 crank for the added displacement. The 302 block has slightly longer piston bores (extended at the bottom) and is good to 347ci (or a bit more with trick pistons), but the 289 block should be good to 331 ci. The piston will just be slightly less stable at the bottom, but not a big deal.

I don't know anything about the engine builder you specified. Coast High Performance (CHP), DSS Racing, Ford Performance Solutions, Bennet Racing, Roush, and Speed-O-Motive are shops with whom I am familiar and have reasonably good, but not perfect, reputations. The Ford Racing 347 crate motor also seems to be a good one. Since you are buying from here and won't have any kind of convenient recourse if the engine has problems, I strongly recommend that you use a highly reputable shop for a crate motor.

 

[67GTCOUPE]

I would be REALLY CAREFUL of who you buy an engine from!

Especially where you are.

Keith Craft, Livernois motorsports, or Ford Racing crate engine is some of the people I'd look at.

DSS and CHP have good and bad stories about them.

Can you not just rebuild it yourself???????

 

[jerry S]

Hi, Pretty new to the boards and loooking for some guidance.

I'm rebuilding a fastback here in the Uk and it has an old battered 289 in it which I fancy selling and replacing with a nice 351.

I've seen their site and it's pretty impressive - anyone here have any experience of using them or buying a motor from them?

I'd be looking at their 351 motor I should think.

They're in New Jersey if anyone knows them.

See www.mustang-engines.com

Shipping to the Uk for the crate motor would be about $1200 but still cheaper than buying one this side of the pond ...

I too am in Europe. Why don't you ship a short block over and have it assembled locally? The UK is a hot bed for Cobra replicas, most of which are powered by Ford. As such, I am certain that there are local guys expert in SBFs where you are. Make some inquires at
http://www.cobraclub.com/

Keep in mind that if your US build crate motor tanks, you are 4000+ miles away. YOu would have to send it back for the seller to repair or replace, assuming it would still be under warranty. With a local shop, they can look at the parts before they go in and tell you if there is a problem or not.

 

[SoCalCruising]

Yeah, I was think of Jerry over in Eurabia when I wrote my cautions above.

 

[jerry S]

Yeah, I was think of Jerry over in Eurabia when I wrote my cautions above.

It took me a while to find a good shop but I finally did.

My Pennsylvania shop billed me for items that were simply not found in my car to the tune of at least $750 in overcharges.

My first dutch shop, Moritz Tuning and Racing, is a criminal enterprise and left me bleeding from the ears, nose, and rectum.

My second dutch shop, Roel's Cars and Bikes has been awesome. I cannot say enough good things about them.

 

[uk66fastback]

Thanks guys - I have the 289 block of course so maybe will investigate getting things done here. I can buy a crate motor here but the cost is much more than buying and importing from the US. Of course there are pros and cons of doing the deal, especially being so far away ...

Thanks for all the advise!

 

[SoCalCruising]

Study up on what you need from the 289 block. Cylinder wall thickness, block integrity, etc. You will be lucky if the block has not already been bored. Good luck.

 

[limey66]

Get a copy of Classic American magazine, there are plenty of adverts for engine builders, that will be on your (comparitively) doorstep. $1200 shipping buys a lot of engine.

I'm afraid I can't reccomend anyone from personal experience as I rebuilt my 289 myself, but there are shedloads of SBF specialists over here if you look for them.

They guys at US Automotive in Bedford are good guys, ask them for a reccomendation for engine work.

My two pence...