pushrod gurus please come in.

vermilion · Feb 26, 2011

i have a 289 in my 66 that i want to spice up some for higher rpms. tell me how i can make the best power out of it besides forced induction. id love to hear ideas. Paul, Javi this is your calling.

example: 302 block with 289 internals, ported 289 heads with gt40 valves and upgraded springs.

keep in mind i also i have edelbrock 1403 carb and edelbrock performer intake.

Win · Feb 27, 2011

What exactly did the guy do to the motor before you got it? I am thinking we can just pull off the heads have them worked over with the larger valves get a mild cam and you will probably be pretty good.

5.0kid · Feb 27, 2011

ya, was ur example whats already done to the engine? also, what kinda budget you looking at???

modo · Feb 28, 2011

keep the 66 block as it is a good foundation vs a late model 302 block. what is "high rpm"?

66 is going to have a non roller cam so you have to take that into consideration. is it a 5 speed or a c4? you already have a good intake and carb so you should get the matching performer cam and heads. i have the performer rpm setup on my 66 coupe and it runs its little but off. if you choose to go that route you should swap out the factory fuel pump if that is still what you are using and i would lose the points setup with either the plug and play pertronics kit or swap the entire distributor out. can then use a regular coil but you (might...) need to run a separate 12v feed for it as the 66 had the resistor wire under the dash and not inline to the coil. its the pink wire off the ignition switch harness that feeds the 12v R side of the starter solonoid on the fender.

castine917 · Feb 28, 2011

wasn't 66 manual 4 speed or c4?

my 302 combo from my 78 mustang- dart iron heads, 30 over, edelbrock rpm, holley 650, comp cams part #31-246-3 which is grind # fs xe274h-10. it used a c4 trans. screamed to 7,000 like nothing. was told just under 400 horses by builder. built in 1998 and is in my 95 gt at moment. wrong firing order on cam for computer so it is coming out. other wise it is great engine for a light weight, carbed bar.

modo · Feb 28, 2011

castine917 said:
wasn't 66 manual 4 speed or c4?

my 302 combo from my 78 mustang- dart iron heads, 30 over, edelbrock rpm, holley 650, comp cams part #31-246-3 which is grind # fs xe274h-10. it used a c4 trans. screamed to 7,000 like nothing. was told just under 400 horses by builder. built in 1998 and is in my 95 gt at moment. wrong firing order on cam for computer so it is coming out. other wise it is great engine for a light weight, carbed bar.

yeah was a typo. would be a 4 speed to loader

tooslow · Feb 28, 2011

forgive me for mentioning another site, but i know of someone on sbftech with one mean 289. Don't know full specs, but i know for sure 195cc canfields, CI cam, single plane intake, 950cfm carb.

Its a 430hp engine (360ish rwhp i believe), 7000rpm redline, runs 11.3's n/a in a stock suspension 60's fastback. Street driven car.

289Nate on SBFtech, PM him.

Steven · Feb 28, 2011

Keep the 289 block/internals. Run a small combustion chamber head, performer intake, good carb, good ignition, set of headers and good valve springs. Then match the cam and watch the LSA and duration. We have a seriously stout little 289 in our 65. That thing is strong for having an old autolite 4100 on it

vermilion · Feb 28, 2011

It has a t-5 conversion and distributor coil setup. Accel distributor brown dizzy. It does have an unknown cam. I see stock heads though. New .030 over hyper pistonss. I know it has mechancal fuel pump.

Steven · Feb 28, 2011

Mechanical isnt bad with a carb. I'd get an idea what the cam is. Check what heads they are. In terms of casting/specs. 289s are good little motors. But they don't have near the potential a 302/351 does

modo · Feb 28, 2011

Steven said:
Mechanical isnt bad with a carb. I'd get an idea what the cam is. Check what heads they are. In terms of casting/specs. 289s are good little motors. But they don't have near the potential a 302/351 does

289 has the same potential as a 302 as they are the same thing with the exception of a 2.87" stroke vs 3"

Steven · Feb 28, 2011

A 289 can move only so much air. If you stroke it, it is no longer a 289 is it? The block may have originated from a 289, but its not. I assume he was referring to factory cubic inch

modo · Feb 28, 2011

Steven said:
A 289 can move only so much air. If you stroke it, it is no longer a 289 is it? The block may have originated from a 289, but its not. I assume he was referring to factory cubic inch

ok, and like i said a 289 is the same thing as a 302 (deck height, bore) with only a slightly shorter stroke. take a 302 short block and a 289 shortblock, put the same cam, heads, intake and carb on both and the power difference will be minimal

Steven · Feb 28, 2011

Hence why I said just do some basic stuff to wake the stock 289 up and let it ride.

vermilion · Mar 1, 2011

I have a minute idea. I'm not going for a whole new bottom end. I will upgrade rods and pistons. Id like higher compression and electrical pump. Nothing crazy but something def peppy for a weekend cruiser. I know this is off topic but I have more frame work to do. I'm welding in through the floor subframes and maybe swap 8" to 8.8 from a drum fox.

Steven · Mar 1, 2011

Be easier to use an 8.8 out of an explorer. Thats the most common of swaps. Unless you could find a 9" but those will shatter your knee caps in terms of pricing one

vermilion · Mar 1, 2011

What year exploder?

IceMan · Mar 1, 2011

Just get yourself a nice cam with some good specs on it and a nice set of 58cc or 60cc heads and you are set.

Steven · Mar 1, 2011

Vermilion said:
What year exploder?

Late 90's. 31 spline 3.73s with disc brakes and limited slip is hard to beat. Considering you don't have to touch it if you like the gear. The length is right and all also I'm fairly certain