Diputado

Folks, I'm probably going to be looking at changing or upgrading the 289 in my '65 coupe in a couple years, unless the current engine gives out first! After calculating the cost of buying up all the high-performance components to build a motor "from scratch", I'm thinking I might be better off just investing in a decent (350-400 HP) crate engine instead. My budget for such is about 5 grand. The engine will be hooked up to my current tranny/rear-end combo, which is a 1969 close-ratio Ford Toploader and 9" 3.50 gear rearend. There's a bunch of builders of Ford crate engines out there....any thoughts on who would be the best for my particular parameters?

Iskwezm

$5000 is not a lot for a "turnkey" crate motor. Are you looking for a longblock and then use your accessories and carb/ignition?

Diputado

Yeah....I'm capable of "dressing-out" (intake, carb, water pump, distributor, etc.) a long-block, it's just that I don't have the experience or tools or workspace to put together one from the crank up. I've seen some for just under $4,000 (Ford Racing 306, for example), and also some for just under $5,000...but I don't know much about the different companies. Obviously, someone with my budget also needs a RELIABLE engine, because I don't wan to have to make that kind of investment too often! It won't be raced...just a nice weekend street-rod that'll bark the tires and kick you in the seat when you want it to!

Iskwezm

IMO, i would get one built locally if possible.Ask around for a reputable shop. I thought i picked a good local builder based on ads in Race Pages.Unfortunately, i got burned a few times over so i decided to build it myself so there's nobody to blame

67mustang302

A reliable 400hp crate 302 is going to run $7-10k from a builder who actually knows what the **** they're doing. Depends on how much crap you have that you can use....most people's carbs and ignitions are not up to an honest 400hp engine. And that's $1,000 right there, give or take.

There's only a few places I'd get an engine from.

And you'll also need suspension, or the car will be unpredictable with that kind of power. There's another $1-2k.

Diputado

Hmm...Ok...good points. So, what do y'all think about that Ford Racing 306 (340 HP)? I've also seen a "reasonably" priced 347 stroker by an outfit called "Blueprint Engines". Either one comes in under (or equal to) my budget.

As for suspension improvements...about all I've done (which HAS cost a bunch!) is to COMPLETELY replace the entire front suspension (including higher-rated Shelby-style springs) and steering components, including a new CSRP front disc brake setup. Apart from the CSRP kit, the new parts are all factory spec., ordered from National Parts Depot.

67mustang302

You need real rear suspension to control the power of a well built 347.

The FRPP crate 302 is ok, but the heads and cam are old tech and the power is over rated depending on the cam/intake you run. But they're cheap, they work, and come with a limited warranty.

How do you plan to drive the engine? If you're going to drive it hard like a performance car and expect it to get to redline regularly and be reliable....starting price is $7k. Anything cheaper and it's hard to say. But when some place offers a whole assembled engine for less than the cost of what I'd spend just on parts....I ignore it.

Diputado

Well, good thing I'm not planning to change engines for a couple of years! that'll give me time to really sort this out. My current engine is "OK"...but it was built by a PO about 7 years ago who can't seem to remember what all he did to it. He's not sure if it has a 289 or 302 HO rotating assembly (but definitely has a 5.0 HO crankshaft damper), and he "thinks" the cam is .508lift/292 duration, but can't remember for sure. He also says it has 10.5:1 comp. pistons. All I know for sure is that it has a 1965 289 block and heads, a nice-sounding cam, Hooker LT headers, a Weiand Stealth with a 600 Holley, and a Duraspark ignition off a 1985 Granada. The engine is in good shape generally, and doesn't appear to have much mileage (very clean inside and out).

As for the rear suspension....it's running a 1969 Ford 9" rearend with 3.50 gears and traction bars, KYB Gas-A-Just shocks, and leafsprings (5-leaves) off a late 60's Chevy Nova (yeah..a Chevy!).

I call it..."Frankenstang"...!!

Diputado

Well, after doing a little more figuring and calculating, it seems that just the parts to build what I'm looking for would run around $7,000 (like 67mustang302 stated). Then there would be the cost of putting it all together,etc.etc.

Looks like I'll need to increase my budget to AT LEAST 7 grand, after all. I could get a fairly decent turn-key crate engine in the States for about 8 grand...but shipping costs to get an engine to Puerto Rico are HUGE! Local builders down here are mainly into squeezing power out of Japanese 4-cylinder engines, and hardly anyone here really knows how to build "classic" V-8 engines anymore. Y'all don't know how good you've got it up there with little or no shipping costs (or at least REASONABLE!) on most stuff! Down here, it often costs as much as the actual parts just to get them here!