ivanr77

Hello fellas,

I own a '68 289 coupe, and im thinking about getting an Ignition Upgrade. I'm not looking to spend much. i've been doing some research on IGNITOR by Pertronix. From what ive found out, this small upgrade, along with new coils and spark plugs is what im looking for...no more than $150 to spend. I have one conflict though, i am planning on taking out the 289 soon, and putting in a rebuilt 351w. I was wondering, wether or not i should go ahead and buy the IGNITOR, put it in my 289, then remove it and place it in the 351, or should i just go ahead and wait till i get the 351 in, and put the IGNITOR in the 351 instead.....when i say that im going to be putting a 351 in...im not talking about in several weeks....i have one planned to go around next summer. I was opening for better ignition to take me through the winter, so im sorta stuck in a dilemma whether or not i should wait for the 351.....thanks for the help.

horseshoeing

Stay with the 289 and spend the money to make it fast. Its a better motor.

69mach1377

That wasn't his question...you can do both. Use the pertronix now and later. Just reinstall your points in the 289 boat anchor before you sell it.[:'(]

69FECoupe

Another "boat anchor". What is it with this forum?

ivanr77

Thanks for the information guys...according to what you said (69mach1377), i will probably go ahead and purchase the pertronix and use it in both engines.

@horseshoeing-- ive heard that from several people now...im still a general newbie with my stang...considering i bought it 5 months ago...i would really like to know what the differences are between a 289 and 351 and why you consider the 289 better...who knows, maybe youll save me some money =)

thanks once again guys.

69mach1377

FE, you are right. Maybe I should have said 'paperweight'?
Cubes and cams is where it's at....

69FECoupe

I guess I look at things a little different then most of the poster's here. I don't look at which motor is "better". I see them as "different" and I don't see any of them as boat anchors. A 289, small though it is, is a great motor. If I had one there is no doubt in my mind that I'd make it a 271 clone with a solid lifter cam. In a light, early, 4spd. car, they are alot of fun. There is nothing wrong with stroking it or any other motor. You just have to decide what you want out of the car, and build it that way. If you are on a limited budget, work with what you have.

302240Z

something to ponder...bread and butter engines. Chrysler had their 273 and 318. Chevy had their 283 and 327, and Ford the 289 and 302. Why did they last so long? And why were they in almost everything? Because they had the almost perfect bore and stroke for that style engine. They were work horses that lasted for many years. It was only when the general public and the racing world demanded faster, more horsepower engines, the larger small blocks started to get introduced. The big block torque engines had already been around. Keep the 289. There is nothing wrong with it. Anyone remember the great 100,000 mile run put on by Ford? 289's in 74 or 75 Comet Calentia's. Only one break down. 1, count them, 1 valve spring broke. These cars were running non stop way over a hundred miles an hour for that distance. That, my friends, is one tough engine.

horseshoeing

302240Z Right, they had the almost perfect bore and stroke. A 351 has a longer stroke. If a motor is going to have a long stroke, It needs a bigger bore. Just a bigger bore would be best. If you do that to much, the motor comes apart. A 289 bore .30 over is nice. If you go higher, It,s hard to cool. .60 over might be ok.

ivanr77

the 289 is a great engine, i agree, but we're talking 160k miles on mine...and ive i want to overbore it, or put some extra money into it, stroking it or whatever...then wont i really be pushing my 289 to the limit, as well as jumping into some risky business? Or would it be safe to say...for instnace i overbore my 289 .30over?