Back in August the 260 in my Ranchero decided to drop a valve, which led to a shattered piston, a bent rod and a cracked sleeve. I decided it would be better to replace the engine with a 289 because of the high costs of 260 parts. It took me a while to find a 289 that would bolt up to my T-10 (five bolt bellhousing pattern). The 289 came out of a '64 Falcon Sedan that I bought for $1000 site unseen from a guy in California that my boss knows. It was a stalled vintage road racing project. Check out this link for the info on the body and all the suspension goodies. http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12033 The engine looked new but I pulled it apart anyways because it didn't have a carb, dizzy or valve covers on it. After pulling the heads I found some water in the rear cylinders. Hopefully the bores will cleanup. Other than that it looks brand new. Here are the specs... 289 bored .060 over (297 cid) block has been decked but don't know how much stock crank Keith Black Hypereutetic pistons 9.2 CR with stock heads stock forged steel rods .020 under Isky 262 Supercam .445 Lift, 262 deg. duration hyd. lifters double roller timing chain stock heads Performer RPM manifold Looks like it was balanced also, (harmonic balancer has extra holes and added weights) What I would like to know is whether this is a good combination for a daily driver. The large overbore says to me cooling problems. This probabbly wasn't a problem in the '64 as it has an oversize crossflow radiator. But in the Ranchero I have an origional style 3 Row. The specs on the manifold and cam are for a little higher RPM and recommend the use of headers. The '64 has Hedman shorties, but I haven't found any info that says they will fit with a manual trans. Plus I would think that headers would increase underhood temperatures. I need some input here fellas. Maybe I should put this thing back in the Falcon, and find another one.
I have a Mustang radiator in my Ranchero, they are bigger capacity, cheap, bolt right in. I don't think the overbore will affect temps. You can always build a fan shroud. I've used hypereutectic pistons in other motors, I think they are the cat's ass. Sounds like it'll be a nice ride.
The cam may be a LITTLE big, depending on what gears you're running out back, but the Performer manifold is a solid choice for a streetable 289, and should work very well. The Isky cam should rev quickly and make decent midrange power, so hopefully you've got 3.5 to 4.10 gears or so. If your three core radiator is in good shape (no leaks or blockage, cooling fins all there and not corroded), then you shouldn't have a cooling issue. Run a 160 degree stat with a 1/8" "relief hole" drilled in it near the main opening and make sure you have a good water pump and the right sized pulley. (A FlowKooler water pump or conversion is a smart investment on a small Ford). Use at least a five blade "flex" fan with the right spacer, and a shroud if you REALLY wanna do it right, and the engine will run at 160-170 degrees all day. (Remember that timing and fuel mixture affect an engine's operating temp, too...too lean or out of time will make MORE heat for you to deal with...keep it tuned!) I built a Mustang II with a 351W and used all of the above mentioned "tricks". It never got over 175 degrees, even in traffic on a hot August day...and I retained the FOUR CYLINDER radiator!
I bought the radiator from Mustangs Unlimited 6 mos before the motor blew. Since the motor is a '64 it has the early style aluminum water pump just like the 260. I didn't have any cooling issues before even with the four blade fan and no shroud. My gear ratio is 3.20 w/ 195-70-14 tires
Those are some pretty short tires...with a 3.20 gear and a four speed, you should be fine! I think your Ranchero is gonna be one quick hauler...you won't miss the 260 at all!!
Thanks Fat Hack. I have both an edelbrock 600 and a Holley 4150 sitting on the shelf. What what you use? I liked the simplicity of the Autolite 2100 I had on the 260. So an Autolite 4100 should be the same only better right? How about them stock exhaust mainfolds? The only headers that I know of that are guaranteed to fit are the Doug Thorley Tri-Y but I'm not about to plunk down $500 for them. Plus there long tube and the Ranchero is too low for it's own good.
Use the edelbrock...way more trouble free for a daily driver. These carbs are an AFB in disguise, truly a set it and forget it carburetor.....
As for headers, try a set of shortys designed for 5.o mustangs. I'd be surprised if they wouldn't fit, and there would be no ground clearance issues...
.060" might be a little much. I have always heard .030" is the max for a performance oriantated SBF. Never ran one over .060" so I dont know first hand. They have pretty thin cylindar walls- one of the reasons they are so light. That cam is pretty mild. I dont think shortys for a 5.0 will fit. There is a lot more room in a 5.0 mustang than an early Comet/Falcon/Ranchero engine bay. Headman's website said that header # 88400 (shorty, 1.5" primaries, 2.5" collector) wont work with a manual trans. But who knows how close it is. They might be able to be made to work. Wont know until you try.
Doing a search on cam sizes for a sbf and this topic came up.Figured hey bring it back up for discussion if anyone wants to elaborate on the subject some more and give me some suggestions. What I'm looking into swapping my current stock cam in my 289/302 in my 64 falcon. The engine will be backed by a c4 with a shift kit that's about it for the transmission and the 8 inch rear will be running a 3.25 posi unit.One old timer told me maybe a .270 comp cam ( .533 lift/215 duration) would fit in just right not too much lobe but a nice mellow tone.Would like to tuck some 205's in the rear and maybe run some 195 up front on my 14 in. stock rims. Now I'm not sure if this is too big a cam or should I run a .260.
check out the little ranchero that jim butler out of morton tx used to run, stock bore stroke 289 had 7 national records , won championships, almost unbeatable go to search, jim butler
Sounds like it's going to be a fun daily. 60 over on a 289 makes me a little nervous. For a manual trans car, I would consider that cam to be mild. Have you considered 1.7 rockers? Looked at the repo cast Hipo exhaust manifolds? I hate to sound negative about your project, but if I had a 60 over block with a few rusty cylinders, I would be looking for another block. I know 5 bolt SBFs are not falling off trees.
I looked at that link about the 2 door sedan. I would call that a smoking deal you got! Start looking up local autocross events, but be prepared to race in an unlimited class due to the relocated suspension mounting points. I found this out the hard way. ("I'm racing against WHAT?")
Sounds like a nice set up . I am a SBF guy and that cam really isn't that big . That is a sweet street cam ! I like the AFB/Edelbrock also . Using a AFB on mine . Intake is perfect . The .060 is maxed out but I have used them before with no problems . Radiator , I am using a regular Mustang Radiator . That will be fine as long as the engine is tuned correctly . I would get some stock shorty Mustang 5.0 headers .You can buy them dirt cheap on C/list . I got mine for $20 ! They look like shit and not pretty but they look that way from the factory ! You can wrap the headers if the extra heat consirns you ! If you can weld , then make your own . Shortys are pretty simple to do . Other than that , keep an eye on C/list for a drum to drum Mustang 3.55 posi . You can score those pretty cheap too . Would like to see some pics of that set up when you get it in the Ranchero ! Good Luck with your build ! RetroJim
Hmm your right, looks like Muncie was playing in the dead threads. Where it's 6 years from the begining....Did the engine blow up? Only 96 posts, guess we won't know.
Check the exhaust manifolds off of the Ford full size vans. They work as good as the shorty headers and center dump also.
Hey everyone you are right it was a dead thread .I was doing a search for cam in a sbf and this is one of the threads that came up. Spyder how's it going I met you once at the August meet and greet? Yeah this if for my 64 falcon and 'm trying to figure out what size cam should I run.It is a old 5-bolt 289.But when it was rebuilt they built it to 302 specs.My 8 inch rear is almost done minus the third member.Haven't bought it yet but I'm leaning towards some 3.25's with a posi.And like I said maybe try and tuck some 205's under the rear wells ans some 195's up front.What do you think? Im just going to run highway gears not trying to race it just a little response when needed It is just a stock application for now but I want to change the cam,lifters and timing chain you know the whole bit while I ahve the engine on a stand.I could just run it but I want to do some small upgrades now that the engine is out. I am also going to check out the link about Butler thanks R Tidwell!!
Munci - It was nice to meet you. 325 Sounds like a smart ratio for the street. I suggest you try to avoid the mistake I made on 8" posi. I got excited when I put it in, l soon found that the clutch packs for them are unavailable. I have had NO luck.
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