Thread: Building a 289

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Bought my 15 year old a 66 Mustang coupe with a 200 straight-6 hoping to do a complete restore as a daily driver. The engine is shot (block broken), so I bought a disassembled 289 short block bored 30 over to put in it and I've got some questions and need some suggestions, please.
Block is stamped C3AE-6015N, which means (I believe) that it came from a 1963 Galaxie. I've been looking for parts to finish up this engine. Probably the most important part is the heads. Can I put heads on that don't match the C3AE number? If so, what size heads can I use? Can I use the heads from a 302 or only a 289? Am I restricted to heads for certain years?
Also, car came with a C4 auto transmission. Can I replace the bell housing or use an adapter plate for the 5 bolt block or am I stuck with getting a new tranny?

Thanks for the advice.

Lex

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

The C-4's are not that expensive to rebuild and will handle all the power a 289 can put out when built properly....

Windsor heads are interchangeable, just watch your cc's on the head. The old 289's were a small chamber head, going to a head with too big of a combustion chamber will kill the compression and as a result, the performance of the engine. With the right pistons, most any head can be used to build the engine to a good compression ratio, around 9 or 9.5:1. If you would choose to use aluminum heads, then you can get away with about 10:1 compression ratio....

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

If you want to get rid of that 5 bolt engine, PLEASE let me know!!!! I'd be glad to trade you a standard 6 bolt 302 for it and even drive down to Ft. Worth to get it!!!!!

Dont let people fool ya the 289 was a powerfull rock solid motor when built right.
First the five bolt block is a possible problem but if you have the c4 for it then no need to worry or change there easy to build and make tough, If you have and early enough tranny that is a FMX It has a cast iron main body and is harder to find parts ( like stall Converters) but that is ok It is a very strong tranny I have built 2.
Little plug for me I have a 5 bolt bellhousing and plate for a 289/c4

Two the 289 was nothing to slouch at inspite of all the 302/5.0 fan out there.
just like the chevy 327 there ar lots of 350s out there but there is just something about there early combinations that was unique.

Power wise 9.5-10.0 to 1 compression, roller timing set 3key way set, windage tray for the pan, take the time to port out the heads In and Exh ports ( ford has a small exhaust system in the head (avoid Thermacker heads)) hardened seats, cam -comp cams exteme energy cams around 204-214 @.50 nice sound and power. 4bbl intake aftermarket old school hi rise single plane with or with out 1 inch chambered spacer , 4bbl holley small and tight buitl right, runs very nice good idle and lots of power and mileage.
Trannys -- AODs are over rated yea you get a 4th gear but they made several overdrive options from 15-25% over drive so watch out,
Plus if you dont get the right Throttle cable and bracket and have a good trany guy set it up you may hace problems, plus used trans usualy need rebuilt and the second band and sevos wear out. do it right.

,manual trans ya later 289s (alternator equipted 1965 to 1969 289s) are 6 bolt and you could put in a 5 speed in you mustang nicely pick up a Mustang magazine at the news stand for good inexpensive suppliers
If not let me know. ( acepatt289@yahoo.com)

just my two cents worth

Be true to you own ideas dont let others influnence you decesions.

(or youl end up with a 350 chevy in your mustang)

Thank you
Acepatt

Been there done that burned the tee shirt

Heads wise you limited to some research.
63-65 260/289 were the same cc chamber heads 54.5
allowing about 9 to 9.5 compression. ( for todays gas )
65-69 were also 54.5 heads but they started to do air injection (thermacker heads) watch out.
1969 the first 302 s had 289 heads but with larger cc options 65-69 ccs

most all 289 marked head are ok just watch out for air, cracks etcc.
and spend the money for them to be build nicely about 3-400 dollars is a nice head job with hardened seats for todays fuel roller rockers if you can afford them even basic sealed powers.( the head steel was kind soft on fords).


Be true

Acepatt

Best motor Ford ever built...

Other than your engine problems I don't believe the stock 6 banger suspension and rear end will hold up very well with the 289 and the brakes are suspect also.

i personally have done a 6cyl to v8 swap on my 66 mustang fastback... its not as easy as you would think...
you will need to get motor mount brackets for your frame, new they'll run you about $150, used you'll be looking at about $100 probably.... that'll get you started for the time being.... you'll need a 5bolt bell housing for your c-4 tranny, they do exist but will probably be difficult to find.... next the front suspension and brakes are way too weak for your car... and since you say its your sons car i'm sure you'll want his car able to keep him alive.... if its manual steering you'll have to replace the centerlink, pitman arm, inner and outer tie rod ends, front spindles, springs and shocks(make sure to get all 64 1/2-66 parts) or you can go the granada method and swap over just the outer tie rod ends, and spindles from a granada plus get v-8 springs for your car.... the 7.5" rearend will not handle your v-8 for long and also will be 4 lugs vs your 5lugs that will be swapped onto your front end .... the stock rearend for the upgrade will be an 8" but you can also use the granada rearend or a lincoln versailles which will actually give your car rear discs.... you can also get a 9" and have it modified to fit your car by a decent rearend shop.... heres a list of ford rearends that will fit your car...
http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~biesiade/Fordrears.html

also some more links to help you get where you're going

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/3...ecial/6to8.htm

http://www.vintagevenom.com/

http://www.jmcmotorsports.com/

http://www.laurelmountainmustang.com/

and also

http://www.mustangsplus.com

hopefully all those will get you started in the right direction

and remember you need to do the upgrade you car if you're putting in a v-8, the 6cyl 4wheel drum brakes do not stop well with a v-8.... they almost killed me a few times before i converted my car over to the 98 cobra disc brakes

Originally Posted by thesals

and remember you need to do the upgrade you car if you're putting in a v-8, the 6cyl 4wheel drum brakes do not stop well with a v-8.... they almost killed me a few times before i converted my car over to the 98 cobra disc brakes

The 8cyl 4 wheel drum brakes don't stop that well either and without some kind of traction bars on the rear end it's a squirrelly little car.

thats why its such a good business making disc brake conversions for mustangs...... and yeah the rear end likes to get away from you..... hopefully when i get my fourlink for my car, it'll make the rearend stay behind the car..... i like going sideways when i'm trying to.... but when it rains that car tends to get sideways when you're not even trying.... i almost piled it up the first day i had it because there was an accident in front of me and when i hit the brakes at 65 the car turned sideways in heavy traffic.... i almost added to the accident...
sad thing is the fox bodies are even worse at it