Thread: Building a 289

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There are no adapters ,best thing you could do is sell the 5 bolt block and get a later model 6 bolt block.I see complete running 302's in the $200 dollar area a lot, that way you can bolt right up to the C4 no problem.If it's an 80 or later block be sure to get the flexplate as the crank balance is 50oz, earlier are 28oz like the 66.Also the 63 heads don't have hardened valve seats to run unleaded gas. Good Luck!

I have to second what Jeff has to say - you are so much further ahead with a 302/5.0 engine. You already are aware of the transmission match up problem. A 289 can be a great engine, but has some limitations that to overcome are, for no better words, a pain in the @$$

If you need heads the 302's fit fine but you lose some significant compression ratio which equates to effiency(gas mileage) and performance(ho-hum runner). The original 289 heads had +/-55cc comb. chamber where the 302 size engines had 63 to 69cc. Also, no-lead valve seats were supplied after ~1974 - 5

Yup, ditch the 5 bolt block. Ford built a ton of 302's so you can score a good running one for little money and probably even get the transmission too. Even something like a wrecked Lincoln Town car would give you everything you need, and you might want to consider an AOD for gas milage on a daily driver.

Don