289?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
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From: South west Idaho
I haven't tried it, but I don't see any problem if you were replacing a 6/cy or 302 as the housing would bolt up. The 289 would have a 28 oz. balance where the other two may have a 50 oz. I have a 66 289 and a 84 302 in my shop, the 289 will rev up faster from idle. I tried them both in the same car and as far as performance, I could not find much difference. In a truck though it may show up different as the truck may be ask to work a little harder. My $.02 W.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Southaven,Ms
289 was first, 302 came along later. 289 couldnt be a destroked 302 because in there day the 302 didnt exist yet
Posting Guru
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From: Southaven,Ms
thats better, now my nit picky, crotchity personality is satisfied, lol . To the original question 289 is a fiesty little sucker and will drop in anywhere a 302 will go, butt there are many more 302's to be found as buildable 289's are getting scarce and more cubes never hurts imo !
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 741
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From: Western N.C.
Dom, I was looking at a '75 truck that had a 289 swapped in for a stock 302, and the guy selling it was clear in saying he didn't like it because it couldn't pull as well as the 302. I didn't care and he knew I didn't care, because I told him I just wanted it for the body. Otherwise, I have had no occasion to even look at a 302 or 289 truck.
Personally, I don't think 302s belong in older trucks. They weren't made to be truck motors...they just filled the need for a small V8 between the six cylinder and the FE.
I do, however, think that a warmed up 351W would serve you well. Same bellhousing pattern, more power, comparable size...Ford used it in a lot of F350s in the 80s and 90s, where it did an admirable job as a pulling motor.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Mississippi
thats better, now my nit picky, crotchity personality is satisfied, lol . To the original question 289 is a fiesty little sucker and will drop in anywhere a 302 will go, butt there are many more 302's to be found as buildable 289's are getting scarce and more cubes never hurts imo !
Last edited by bamaf150; Oct 3, 2010 at 12:00 PM. Reason: grammar
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Southaven,Ms
agreed on the 302vs300 , it was a sad day for all when Ford stopped using those torqey little inlines. And Bowties right about 351 being better truck motors, again more cubes never hurt anyone lol
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Hey Dom, I have a 289 engine, top loader 4 speed and a posi rear end from a 1968 Cougar in my 1974 Ford Short box Dentside truck the engine is done up too bored out 40-60 thou over headers mild cam Edelbrock 600 cfm carb goes good enough for me! I don't use it to haul things.I bought it off a guy that way!
