289 heads and cam choice?
#1
289 heads and cam choice?
Folks, would like opinions on a "little change" I'm considering for my '65 289. It's currently running stock 289 heads (no milling, no porting, pure stock) and a Crane hydraulic flat-tappet cam (292 advert. duration, .508 lift). Engine was built by a PO, and is about 8 years old, but still low mileage. Good compression, no smoke, no oil usage (except for a couple leaky valve seals), no leaks, etc. Still nice and clean. I plan to replace the stock iron heads with a set of new AFR 165 Renegade aluminum heads (58cc), and the current cam with a Comp Cams hydraulic roller with 281 advert. duration and .512 lift (plus all roller rockers,etc.). Any thoughts on this upgrade, and further suggestions, warnings, advice,etc.?
#2
You'd have to make sure that you have the valve clearance for that. I'd suspect you do, but it's something to check during assembly.
Also, if you're not sure how the bottom end's set up, I'd be careful how high you plan to rev the motor. I'm pretty sure that cam will run up to 6500rpm, which might be a bit high if you don't have the proper main bolts, rod bolts, and balancing to support it.
Also, if you're not sure how the bottom end's set up, I'd be careful how high you plan to rev the motor. I'm pretty sure that cam will run up to 6500rpm, which might be a bit high if you don't have the proper main bolts, rod bolts, and balancing to support it.
#5
Yeah...I looked at the other AFR heads, but I didn't want to go too big on the combustion chamber so as to not lose too much compression. My current heads have about 55cc chambers (stock specs.) and the AFR 165s with 58cc would be very close.
As for high revs...this is strictly a street machine..no strip runs. I don't plan on pushing it over 5500, and already have wound it to that rpm a few times with no problems. In fact, the 281HR cam rpm range (according to Comp Cams) is 2000-5500...right where I intend to run.
And yes...will certainly check piston-valve clearance. Since my current cam works, then the 281HR SHOULD work, too. But..you never know.
As for high revs...this is strictly a street machine..no strip runs. I don't plan on pushing it over 5500, and already have wound it to that rpm a few times with no problems. In fact, the 281HR cam rpm range (according to Comp Cams) is 2000-5500...right where I intend to run.
And yes...will certainly check piston-valve clearance. Since my current cam works, then the 281HR SHOULD work, too. But..you never know.
#7
Oh, yeah... no doubt. I plan to buy a complete retro roller cam/lifter/timing gear kit. All new roller rocker arms, too. It'll be next year (2015) though. All the stuff I did last year pretty much left me broke for a while!! But hey...car runs and drives good!!
#9
I was considering the AFR heads when I was building my 289, but Mike Heintz (Heintz Performance) told me to save my money and go with edelbrock's performer RPM heads. They a very similar size wise, but the edelbrock heads are quite a bit less expensive. I don't regret it a bit.
#10
The difference here is daily street use verses building a legal streetable car for autocross and racing. Yes I know, we can go nuts and remove the tower braces and drop in something crazy, but at what cost? this would be a neat thread on the topic. What say you? Using a 289, what can we achieve? (without dumping a buttload of stupid money) I agree, Edelbrock builds a nice performance package at a decent price, but there's much better performance out there for a few dollars more. I'm trying not to bash Edelbrock, because they do make decent performance for the mainstream enthusiast; no disagreement that Edelbrock is the Chevrolet of performance.
Last edited by groho; 03-06-2014 at 03:08 PM.