Will this setup work?

[GMan86Capri]

I have a 1986 Mercury Capri (close enough to a mustang) that had a 302 H.O. in it but that motor threw a rod at 250k miles. So after restoring the chassis and prepping it for a new powerplant, I obtained a 289 with forged crank, rods and pistons. These pistons are dished flat tops, the heads are 54cc 1.74"/1.50". The valves/springs are stock. I am in the process of rebuilding it from the ground up, but I am stuck with a very difficult decision...

Could I install my F-303 roller cam in this block if I drilled and tapped the block to accept the lifter baffles to retain the roller lifters? And would the lift and duration of the cam interfere with any other parts of the motor (such as maxxing out valve springs or colliding pistons with valves)? I am installing the 5.0 H.O. fuel injection intake on this motor as well, so if this setup works, what do you think of this setup in a Capri/Mustang with a 5 speed manual and stock rear gears(2.73 I think)?

 

[2000xp8]

Not sure what heads you are using or the piston specs, but doesn't sound worth it to me.

If you were to buy a used explorer gt40p engine ($500 sometimes less) you could slap it together quick and easy, probably make more power, spend less money and take a tenth of the time.

To properly add roller lifters to a non roller block, you need a set of tie bar lifters, which costs more than half of what you could get an entire explorer engine for.

As for the gears, 2.73's are probably the worst you could have, upgrade them to 3.73's.

 

[GMan86Capri]

Ok, I see where youre coming from with that. I happen to have a good 302 from a truck in my garage, its a stock roller block with flat top pistons w/valve reliefs. Do you think the F-303 cam would work in that motor with the 289 heads?

In regards to the rear gears, I am debating between 4.10/4.11 gears and 3.73... any opinions?

I am trying NOT to put very much money into this build, I merely want it to be reliable for now. I am looking at building a separate motor piece by piece to keep in my garage and build whenever I get some spare cash. As for THAT motor, Im planning on a twin turbo 289 that can turn some major rpms. This current build is just to get my car on the road for now.

 

[90stang5speed]

my opinion on the gears is 3.73's You will still be able to cruise down the interstate & With a 5 speed, 4th gear should top out around 130 mph at around 6000 RPM at the track.

 

[2000xp8]

Ok, I see where youre coming from with that. I happen to have a good 302 from a truck in my garage, its a stock roller block with flat top pistons w/valve reliefs. Do you think the F-303 cam would work in that motor with the 289 heads?

In regards to the rear gears, I am debating between 4.10/4.11 gears and 3.73... any opinions?

I am trying NOT to put very much money into this build, I merely want it to be reliable for now. I am looking at building a separate motor piece by piece to keep in my garage and build whenever I get some spare cash. As for THAT motor, Im planning on a twin turbo 289 that can turn some major rpms. This current build is just to get my car on the road for now.

Nobody is really going to know the clearances with the cam, it's going to have to be something you find out first hand.
With that said, a cam will probably make the car run worse not better, and float valves.
The 289 heads really aren't good for much.
A 289 engine was rated at about 200 flywheel hp.

If you are on a budget and just want to get the car up and running, consider some gt40 iron heads, throw an e cam in there, and maybe an explorer intake and you would do ok in the power, maybe 250 to the wheels if your lucky. All very cheap parts.

I just don't see the 289 heads being worth the set of arp head bolts and head gaskets it's going to take to put them on, and the f cam would just complicate things. If you are hell bent on using them, the stock HO cam could probably work.
For the heads, you may even be able to get e7's for free.

I'd also reconsider the idea of spinning a 2 bolt 289 block to any high rpms, maybe 6500, not sure what your idea of high rpm is.

And for a street car, 3.73's are the best if the car is a manual trans, if it's an auto 4.10's.

I know i sound discouraging, don't take it personal.
It's just that it's not always the cheapest, easiest or the best idea to assemble random parts you have in the garage.