Deviousfred

I'm in the process of looking for a 289 block and have a couple of questions.

I have heard of a 5 bolt and a 6 bolt block?

Did all 289's come with a provision for the equalizer bar in a manual trans set-up?

Anything I should look out for when picking one up?

It will be completely torn down and rebuilt with better pistons, ARP hardware, and a cam. May even go aluminum heads but not sure yet.

htwheelz67

If you can, make sure its a 6 bolt block as 5 bolts are real early and not many trans choices. If I were you the smartest thing is to buy is an 85 up roller 5.0 block then you can have the roller cam and a few more cubes, they can be made to work with the z bar linkage as well. The roller 5.0 HO shortblocks had forged pistons (most) low tension rings, one piece rear seal you will get more power and economy using a 5.0 for a starting point.

Even stock for stock a 5.0 HO even 85 carbed motor will run circles around a 4 bbl 289.

Deviousfred

I have about 5 roller block at my shop right now. I'm really looking to go with a 289 block for this particular build.

JMD

Some very early 289 blocks were 5 bolt bells, I think about mid 65? they went to 6 bolt.

I would avoid the 5 bolts, even so much as to change your bell housing if you have a 5 bolt bell.

All 289s will have provision for a Z bar, as will 302s through about 85? or so. For 302/5.0 blocks not set up for z bars, bolt on adapters are available.

ARGUABLY, 289 blocks and 302 blocks are for all intensive purposes the SAME, with later 5.0 blocks being essentially "upgraded" 289 blocks. IMO, other than the convenience of the roller cam provisions, they are all about the same, condition being the main concern.

IMO the provision for roller cams on later 5.0 blocks is a plus, bet even early blocks can be easily and effectively upgraded for rollers.

Main thing is to find one that has not been previously rebuilt, as many folks think that a SBF can only be bored .030 over, which is typically only one rebuild.

kalli

yes. they changed to 6-bolt late 65. Avoid them if you can as it will be doube the job to find a bellhousing for those.
if you want 289, why don't you take the 302 roller and put a 289 rotating assebly into that ? :-)

JMD

Other than a .020" LONGER cylinder that some folks say a 302 block has over a 289, and a cast in"302" instead of a "289", Right up until roller blocks made their debut in the 80s, 289s and 302 blocks were identical. They were even mixed up in factory builds in the transition period...

My son put a 302 together for his Falcon, the early 80s 302 block we had was not usable, so we used a late 60s 289 block... Identical except for the cast in ci...

When compared respectively to 289 and 302 blocks, Pepsi and Coke are worlds apart...

Or, put another way, "A rose by any other name will smell just as sweet".

Randys66gt

Almost right..... they changed from the 5 bolt in late 64. We got our 65 in April 65 and it was a 6 bolt. Something to think about...... Keep the block because SOMEONE that is doing a original restore of a 64 or early 65, they would definitely want that to increase their originality. (You should get a lot for it)

kalli

late 64 so. sorry. thought it was late 65