I recently got my hands on an 289 hipo. Looking at building it some, okay alot. Was wondering if you guys had any suggustions.

 

What is the intended use? What is you HP goal? What is your budget?

 

what are the numbers on the head....is it hipo or 4v?

I'd really enjoy building one of those. I do have a '70 302 that i'll build up.

Tons of options and a 289 is a spinner...thus gets it's power by breathing big at 6500...so the heads will need some additional porting or aftermarket or boss....cam will need to match airflow...a ton of options that will drain your pocketbook and some that will get you some power on a budget. Nice thing is that there is decent aftermarket support on ebay etc.

so fill us in on your budget and intended outcome and i'm sure some of us would enjoy living vicariously.

 

stupid computor

 

Budget is about 2000(will increase that if it comes done to it). with that though the block needs to be sent off and have some work done. My best estimates on how much that will cost is 500 to 1000, depending on who i go to. The numbers on the heads are 66 or 99 depending on which way you turn your head and 7A30. Don't have a set goal on HP, but like everything else more is better. I'm having a battle with my bother to beat his 1979 f-100 with a create 302 and 3.73 rear end. He just doesn't no it. Would like to put it in a 69 stang, but i'm leaning towards putting it in an older camero to **** off some chevy friends of mine. A chevy with nothing but ford underneath( i think thats just a dream though, lots of work in my driveway)

 

If it is an honest to goodness 289 HIPO,sell it add the 2000 to that and build a stroker 302 with some alum.heads.The old HIPOs were awesome but there are better HP alternatives nowadays.

 

i agree with 2020 to a degree....the 289 hipo is a pricey motor to build for power...and will alck low end torque.

With a 289 or 302 you have to either stroke or build to spin...either is a lot. but a 289 hipo...if the codes do match with hipo...would be worth some $$. add that to your budget and hook into a windsor...or if in a car a cleveland...put some aussie heads on a cleveland and you will have a kick hiney motor that will still spin.

 

just rebuild it...leave it as is, if it's a true hipo.
http://www.hipomustang.com/images/hipoeng/
http://www.thecarsource.com/fords/en...89engine.shtml


.....look at the head gasket side on the heads for the casting number it will be by the intake port.

 

I built a 289 with flat top forged pistons, .530 lift solid lift cam , match ported heads to gaskets, Holley strip dominator intake w/650 Holley. 4.63 gear with c-4 w/3500 converter. Sounded good and ran low 14s/97 mph in a 66 Fairlane. That was is 1986 when low 14s was fast.

 

Heads are your most important component on a 289. A true High Performance 289 will have screw in rocker studs and a casting number like C5AE. You can probably find regular heads that will give you similar performance for a reasonable price.

If the block is from 68, you have the option of installing a 302 crank or a 331 or 347 stroker crank.

 

Not a good idea to use a stroker crank in a 289 block. The bores are shorter than the 302, and you'll end up with a bunch of piston sticking down below the bore @ BDC. It's really not a good idea to use a plain 302 crank if you're going to really wind it up. Piston slap=broken skirts. It's the main difference between the 289 and 302 blocks.


Pete

 

Also what year is it. I seem to remember that a few of the early 289's had a difference in the bell housing (can not remember what it was though). might want to check that out before you go to far.

 

the early ones had 5 bolt housings like the 260 and the later ones had 6 bolt housings.....good luck finding a 5 bolt.

 

just go pre 64.5 for a 5 bolt block, got one just not a hipo, but still ran good

 

I,m kind of a history guy when it comes to old muscle cars and would like to see a real hipo in a hipo car or rebuilt for a show piece.That being said,the old 289's were a great engine and if you want to see what it will do,go for it.That's why we call this a hobby.It is better economically(HP/cost)to go with a 302 and some good heads but you probably don't have profit in mind when you are building a hot rod.