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289 build

1972 Views 38 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  Moosecountry
Any ideas for what parts to use to build a fast but street-legal 289?
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The 289 is a least 55 yrs old. If it has been bored once already the thinwall casting won't take another
As points of reference, a Hi-Po 289 was rated at 271hp, the Shelby version 306hp. SCCA Trans Am 302 Mustangs made around 500hp, but those were some pretty radical race-only engines.

I think you'd have a heck of a lot of fun just duplicating one of those 289s. I don't know if you'll ever get to "at least 450hp" even stroked. Or if a stock block can handle supercharging.

Maybe I'm way out in left field. Would be cool to hear from Ford guys here.
As points of reference, a Hi-Po 289 was rated at 271hp, the Shelby version 306hp. SCCA Trans Am 302 Mustangs made around 500hp, but those were some pretty radical race-only engines.

I think you'd have a heck of a lot of fun just duplicating one of those 289s. I don't know if you'll ever get to "at least 450hp" even stroked. Or if a stock block can handle supercharging.

Maybe I'm way out in left field. Would be cool to hear from Ford guys here.
The T500hp Trans Am 302 engine were Cleveland engines, different animal. I ran a stock dyno tuned 306hp GT 350 engine in both my '34 Ford and '65 Ranchero and from the 1/4 mi et/mph they were over rated. Probably closer to maybe 275.
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If it is a factory roller cam block, then for sure it is smarter move than rebuild on old 289.

the only real difference between 289 and 302 is crank stroke, they both share the same 4.00" bore diameter..
289 is 2.87" stroke, 302 is 3.00" stroke.....the 302 is just a "factory " 289 stroker.
(I know somebody is going to mention connecting rod length....but it really doesn't matter as far as power)
The 302 and 289 blocks are different. It has been a long time but my memory says you can't make a 302 out of a 289 without some lower cylinder clearancing for rod ends and I don't remember it being recommended.
The 289's were one of the first "thin wall casting" engines and were pretty much "before they got it right". Unless you are doing a numbers-matching or historically correct build, you would be ahead of the game starting with a later 302.
Oh my poor little 221 and 260's already forgotten as first thin walls
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If it is 60-65 Falcon or 65-66 Mustang it won't fit with stock spring towers
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