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Mrford 49- Those 289's have to be able to turn rev's to make power, but the stress of the nitrous was my concern, and I'm talking about 300 hp shots not 100 or less. I'd echo everything else you said excepting H-beams. 2020- I've been re-thinking my original advice about the 351w for a couple of reasons. Even though it will fit, and the Fairlanes were offered with the big blocks, the 351w is heavier than the 289, and will probably require a spring swap and may make the car a little nose heavy. The other thing is jimford's request for a reliable street car. While I think the extra cubes=extra reliability, it comes with a price. He didn't say how much driving he'd be doing, but if he wants reliability because he's gonna drive it daily, (or even often), those cubes are gonna use more fuel and make it impractical as a commuter. I think that a 341 stroker is probably a better compromise (302 bored .030 over with a 3.400-3.425 stroke). Jimford- Told you not to let me influence you too much.lol (Wonder if he's even reading these posts anymore ?...)
The 351 isn't that much heavier than a 289, stock to stock engines---50 lbs. You can negate that by moving the battery to the trunk, plus adding aluminum heads, intake and waterpump. As for mileage differences, that's also a non issue here. You can build a 351 that will actually get better mpg than a 289, if you know your stuff. The only time I advocate stroking a 289/302 is when a larger engine just won't fit or makes working on it difficult. Plenty of room for a 351W or Cleveland in a 66-67 Fairlane.
289 2V (C code); 289 4V (A code); 289/271HP (K code); 390 2V (H or Y code); 390 4V (S or Z code)...and 427 4V (W code); 427 8V (R code).
No 302's till spring 1968.
No 428's in Fairlane/Torino's till the 1968 model year.
No "Z" code 390's in a 66-67 Fairlane. There was an "X" code 2 bbl motor in 68.
I am gettin the book. I have the ford performance book that I have had for 6 years. I've read it a thousand times. I love that book!! Shows all the details about every engine. Its a bit out of date though. When it was written they didnt have performance aftermarket manifolds for the 400. They show a welded cleveland one. Its funny. As for the 460. Believe me I thought of it. Just dont want the weight. My fathers friend has a 66 fairlane with a 460 in it that he drag races. I only seen pics of it running and it does high tens naturally!! Its bad ***!! I think the 351 with a stroker kit is the way to go!! Just keep the 289 and work on it from time to time. I will drive it this summer as is. Then swap over the winter. I am just happy I have my dream car!!!!!
There still aren't manifolds for the 400's. Only two choices since the 70's when that book was written are the Edelbrock Performer 400 and the Weiand Action Plus (8010). The 8010 has a bit more meat around the ports for porting.