Well as most of you know I was down for a couple months because I snapped my cam in half and I thought I was gonna lose my dent forever.
But I manged to get a miricule and now this is my thread for bringing my truck back to life and on the road.

Well a couple weekends ago I drove an hour and a half for an engine I hoped would even turn over. I saw it craigslist and the guy advertised it as a 1965 289 with 68 heads. He said that it was a K code block. Which if some of you aren't familar with the K code it was the HIPO block that was the baddest engine on the block during its time. So I jumped on it. When I called him and talked about it he said it had sat for 5 years in his garage, he turned it over once in a while and that its been gone through with all new gaskets and bearings.

Then he said his wifes grandpa was 83 years old and he was a mechanic all his life. During the 60's and early 70's he would take parts off of cars like the heads cams and stuff keeping them for future projects. Well he had the heads for a 68 high compression 302 and the cam and lifters.
By this time I was drooling and just wanted to go get it. So I asked him the price he said 180 dollars. That was a big red flag for me. Why would you sell a high performance engine for that cheap?

My curiousty got the better of me and I asked him just that. He said "Well I originally was building it for my 1965 mustang that the 289 came out of but it was to rusted out and I scraped it and now I'm trying to get rid of this engine cause I don't need it." Okay stop for a second. Who scraps a ORIGINAL numbers matching HIPO mustang? Either this guy was pulling my leg or he was dumber then a speical kid. I was skeptical but decided that I would go ahead and look at it for the cam and heads.

That saturday I took Tyler my friend who was supposed to originally get my truck with me down to Greenfield, Ohio. 1 hour and 30 minutes later we get there and he took us in to his garage. There was two things that caught my eyes. One I didn't see a nice engine anywhere just a crappy looking long block sitting on a cart and a 69 fastback. Ended up that was the 289. You gotta be kidding me. So I asked him why he wasn't putting that in his mustang and he said he had a 390 for it. After talking with tyler for a bit I decided to just by the engine and take a chance. Worst case sceniero the heads and cam would go in my 302.

I get home and start cleaning up the runners and the exhaust flange and get the block all pretty. Then I got her all painted up and proceeded to go through the engine. First thing first I checked all the casting codes. I had a correct 289 block and everything was matching up. I was pretty happy at this point so I went to drop the oil pan and timing cover because I needed to swap mine over from the 302. As soon as I drop the pan dog food came out! I was like you've got to be kidding me! Just my luck.

I was going through everything when I noticed that the main caps where freaking huge! I was like that can't be stock can it? Then I checked to make sure my rod blocks where torqued down to the right spec and when I put a 5/16 socket on it it didn't fit. I referenced my Haynes book and it said 5/16s These bolts were 3/8? What the heck? So I did some research and found out I do have the HIPO block! YES!!! I did some more research on the heads and man I just started getting even happier! Found out they are 1968 302 heads, but! They are the high compression 4 barrel ones! I just wanna go kiss this guy!

After the whole dog food fasco I went through everything to make sure it was good. I don't want to put all this work in just to find out I have a dud. So I went to town making sure everything is operating and clean. At first I thought when I switched my oil pan I would be good to go using that oil pump and pickup but low and be hold I needed to switch pickups. When I went to switch them I was like ehhh I better switch pumps to because I knew the one on my 302 worked great it would never drop below 22 psi. After I had swapped that over I had another problem! Where the pick up bolts to the stud on the main cap bolt it was on the wrong main cap! Dang it! Sooooooooooooooooooo once again the oil pump came off so I could switch the bolts then I went through the whole torquing process on all the bolts to make sure its perfect.

Finally the oil pan went on and I could focus on my timing cover issue. When I took everything off the 302 it was all easy to take out except for one stinkin' butt munchin' bolt! Even my exhaust manifold bolts came out easy like butter! This god forsakin bolt was on the water pump it was one of the really time 3/8 head ones and it was the lower left on that you couldn't get vice grips on to get out. not only was it frozen but it was some how stripped before I even started taking those bolts out. Since I'm lucky enough to have the truck down at work I have acess to so many tools you guys would probably physically assualt someone so you can go play with them lol. But out came the Oxy torch and man I gave it everything I had to make sure I just melted the bolt head and didn't do any damage to the water pump.

Finally it was off and I could focus on cleaning up the timing cover. Man was it dirty! Funny story for you guys the only place on the old 302 that was clean and looked brand new with paint was behind the flywheel lol. But I started getting this thing to look like an engine! I ditched the 289 harmonic balancer because as soon as I pulled it off it came apart into two pieces! talk about time for a new one! Luckily my 289 and 302 both share the 28oz balance and I was able to use my 302 balancer which is in great shape. So I finally got everything together except for intake dizzy and valve covers. The reason I left all those off was so I could prime the oil system and run a flush through everything this.

Now as I was priming the oil system and turning the crank to make sure every rocker was getting oil I had three rockers not getting oil. Geee wilkers Mr. Wilson! So off comes the rockers and the extensive attention to detail to get everything perfect. I pulled each lifter and push rod seperatly to make sure everything went back in the right spot. I then went through the process of bleeding the lifters like you would with a new set then taking an air chuck and blowing the pushrods in.

Finally I could see the light to be ready to drop it in! So I get the engine up on the hoist off the stand and go to start putting the flywheel clutch and all that jazz on when I realized I forgot something. I was racking my brains to try to remember what I forgot. So I went and looked at the 302. OF COURSE! I forgot the pilot bearing! So then I had to put the engine back on the stand theeeennnnnn drag the 302 and get it off the engine stand to pull the pilot bearing. Well when I go to pull it it ain't budgin' and is just coming apart.

A freakin' 9.87 part is keeping me from putting the clutch on and being able to drop the engine in. So I go up to Advance and try to buy one. At this time it was Sunday and when I get there and look it up they didn't have one in stock so they had to order one in. No Biggie they are always quick on getting stuff in for me. I mean they treat me like royalty up there cause I've spent so much money I even get a discount for going so much lol gotta love customer service! Well when I ask when its going to be in they said wednesday. Excuse me but did I hear you right? Wednesday? REALLY?!!?! For a freakin' bearing! Come on!

So tomorrow once I get the bearing the clutch will go on then finally I will be able to get the engine dropped in. I can't wait to hear this beast start up! I have a feeling the idle is gonna be wicked! I was very suprised when I took everything off the the 302 to pull it out I really think the PO's took care of it because it had almost 252,000 miles and the exhaust maniold bolts came out sooooo easy! Everything inside the engine looked great to! Except for the broke cam ha. Even the valves where in good shape! Not a spec of carbon build up. I know I put alot of work in matenance but dang she must of really been taken care of because it didn't even leak anything.

I know I'm gonna get in some trouble with this new engine but thats ok! Suprisingly nothing intresting happened with pulling the engine out of the truck. But I can't figure out how to post pictures and I've got some pictures for you guys. More to come stay tuned!

 

That happened to me once before with a 350 Chevy engine. The guy thought he was giving me a two bolt Camaro engine. I wound up with a four bolt main police package engine with 10:1 flat tops in it.

That's great news! Keep us posted how this turns out. Good luck with the refresh.

 

Got it finally typed out! Now I just got to figure out how to post pictures

 

Wow that is awesome! I think its one of those are moments that you feel like you win the lottery lol

 

I don't now just what a Mustang guy would pay (or traded) for that short block but I would have found out. It really belongs in a nice restored early Mustang.

 

I couldn't agree more. But I wouldn't have found out from that guy he wasn't the sharpest tool. Plus this gives me a reason to get a mustang.

 

Today was a very successful and frustrating day. I finally got the pilot bearing after waiting on it for so long. So after work I on the engine with getting the clutch put on then getting the intake mounted. I was going to call it quits then because by that time it was almost 9 and I have school tomorrow and I need to get home and sleep.

Thats when frustration number one had set in. I wasn't able to put the engine back on the engine stand because just my luck the clutch got in the way. So I got the truck drug in the shop and spent the next 3 hours getting the engine in bolted down and trying to get the tranny hooked up.

Once the engine was in and bolted down I was sooooooo happy it's about time that I got to see an engine in there! Well then I go to get the tranny hooked up and there was frustration number two. I spent alot of time trying to get everything lined up. Once I got it lined up and the splines right I got it all the way to the engine and am fighting my new problem.

It's ready to move the couple inches to hook to the block but I can't get the dowel pins into the bellhousing. At this time I'm wanting to beat the truck to death. But instead I pushed the truck by hand by myself uphill to where my boss has me keep it. Talk about hard!

Any of you guys got tips on how to get the dowels in the bellhousing? Well I know it's not much of an update for today but it was a big milestone for getting this truck back on the road. I can see the light now. Hopefully I can get the trans and clutch hooked up tomorrow and then get everything hooked in. Then start it!

 

Finally got the pictures!

Started tearing down the engine at my barn.





This is what a cam is supposed to look like



This is what mine looks like!


It's finally out!


She looks so empty without a engine


Workin' on the HIPO


I think this is the first time my truck has even been inside!


Old and new together


Lookin' pretty!


Ready to go in!!!!!


Gettin' there!


Success!

 

Well I kinda had a duh moment today I wasn't able to get the truck in the shop today to work on it because there wasn't room but I got under it outside and was looking I saw why I couldn't get the transmission hooked up. When I pulled my 302 the motor mount on the drivers side was loose and I tighted in up. Well I didn't tighten it enough because it slid back down to the bottom of the tower.

Tomorrow I'm going to lift that side of the motor and fix it. My next project on the list once I get it running again is getting the bodywork started. Any ideas on colors?

 

That`ll buff right out

Looks like you`re making good progress. Lucky score on the hi-po. I will have enough restraint not to give you the "bird" smiley. But not by much

-Jake

 

Thank you! Yes I'm trying to make fast progress but I'm still in high school I work to jobs and have very little funds. So it may not be as fast as the other guys but it'll bet there. Atleast I'm lucky enough to have the knowegle to do most of the work myself but I'm not to sure about bodywork though lol

Honestly I still can't believe I scored this engine either. I'm the heads alone people would probably pay 200 or 300 bucks for. I think its one of those moments in your life were you get something amazing for an amazing price that only happens once in a life time. Dang I guess I used mine lol.

 

Nice and big update! So I was having trouble getting the transmission to hook to the block. That was the only thing keeping me from being able to finsh everything. We I realized that my drivers side motor mount slid down the slot on the perch. Once I realized that I smacked my head that it was something that simple!

So out came the engine hoist to lift up the drivers side of the block. Finally I got it fixed and after spending a while fiddle with the trans I got it to finally go in! So II then bolted the start up and finally got to start putting stuff on to get it running! On went the carb. Right now I'm temporarly using the stock 2bbl manifold from the 302 and my Holley 350 cfm 2bbl till I can get a 4 bbl intake I already have a edelbrock 650 performer.

Now came the truck part once I got the carb on and the wiring done I had to put the mess of vaccuum lines on. Luckily I had taken a picture on my phone before I took everything apart so I missed the bullet on that one. I had gotten everything on and the truck ready to go to start which I had been waiiting for like a little kid on christmas morning waiting to open presents.

So I filled the float bowl with fuel and for a temperary thing I just got a long rubber line that hooked to the fuel pump to a can of gas. By this time I am bouncing all over the place in excitement to start this bad boy. I hop the truck turn the key then.............................................. . absolutly nothing lol.

The battery was junk. Grrrrrr. So I pull my ram in the shop and take my optima red top out. I get in again even more excited just because I know It'll start now! I turn the key and all I hear is the truck turning over. No fire gahhhhh! I get out and check for fuel. I got it. Check for spark and I don't got it, so I start to troubleshoot and it took my two days but I found out what it was.

The 3 wire connector on the distributor to the wiring harness looked good but I found that the ground wire on the distrbutors side of the connecter came out of the connecter so I shoved it in and I got a big blue spark. I'm so happy at this moment! Because it should fire now!

Try to start it and nothing. I kept getting popping through the carb. Duh! I'm a 180 out. I get that fixed and VVVVVVVAAAAAAARRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!! I seriously about peed my pants from the adrenaline rush. I didn't want to hear that sound I needed to hear that sound.

After getting it timed to 6 degrees BTC and getting the AFR adjusted the best I can before I take it out I threw the front acceriories on, the ratator in and finshed buttoning up the engine compartment. I had decided to call it quits for the night and end it on a good note.

So I went to hook the driive shaft up to the trans and I didn't realize part of the tape came off my ujoint so one of the caps dropped and needle bearings went all over. I was not a happy camper. LOL.

Now on my list of stuff that has to be done to get it on the road is:
1. Hook up the clutch equalizor bar and get the thing on the fork.
2. Bolt the trans crossmember down.
3. Hook up the driveshaft
4. Fill the radatior with antifreeze.
5. turn the key and hit the gas!

So yesterday instead of working on the truck I went and got a part. I was on craigslist and found a factory 1979 GT Bar for 25 dollars obo. I could see in the pictures it had surface rust. So I went and looked at it the whole thing was covered in rust but it was completely soild. No biggie I'm gonna sand blast it at work and paint it.

So I got it for 20 dollars and I feel like I got a good deal. I used to have a roll bar in my lifted 79 it looked good. I wasn't for sure how this would look on a 2 wheel drive but after seeing some of the indy trucks I wanted one. Worst case scenario if I don't like it all I have to do is spend 10 minutes sand blaster then throwing some paint on and easily get 50 dollars out of it. I love the sound of profit!

I've got some sheet metal ready at work to start doing some bodywork so it's going along fast! I promise I will have pictures later and maybe if you guys are lucky a video!

 

Well that's got to make you feel good! Congrats!

Is always a GOOD sound!

 

Yeah buddy! Right now I'm at the shop hooking the clutch up so I'll have more later!

 

Well I just got home from work and Wendy's and had another very successful day. I got the clutch linkage hooked up. I was having a little trouble getting the clutch fork back to get the rod on it but I finally got it. After that I got the transmission crossmember bolted down and had to call it quits on the mechanical stuff.

After I get a U Joint and antifreeze she be done! After I got done doing that stuff I went and put the GT bar in. It fits in great except I think it was orignally for a shortbed because the kicker bars are supposed to bolt to the wheel wells and is about a foot away from it. So I'm going to cut the roll bar below the bed line the welder an extention on.

When I put the roll bar in the truck it just looks cool man! Even my 50 year old boss was like that looks awesome! I didn't think it would look good in a 2 wheel drive truck but man does it make it look tough. I'm going to mount my fire department light bar on it.

I got some pictures for you guys and a video!