ok guys the 289 is a good engine as well as the 302 u can put the 289 rods in the 302 and make a long rod engine this will build lots more power then the 289 or the 302 but if u really want to go fast go with the 351 spend the same money and get lots more.

 

i will give u a good cheap combo i ran a stock 90 302 bottom end with the F cam and 289 heads with some port work and 194 and 160 valves with rpm performer intake and 650 holly carb with top loader 4 speed and 456 gears in a 67 mustang coupe ran high 7's in 1/8 mile

 

You can wind up a balanced (blurprinted) 289 higher than a stock 289. The rods are shorter than the 302, but basically the two engines are the same.

 

so a late model roller block could house a 289 no problem, only difference being rods?

 

the 289 rod is longer then the 302 the differance in the stroke is made in the throw of the crank if u put the 289 crank and rods in a roller 302 block the pistons will stick out off the top of the block.do your home work dude

 

u can run the 289 rods and pistons in the early 302 blocks they have a taller deck hight the roller blocks have a 0 deck hight witch is shorter then the 289.the light weight rods will rev a lot higher

 

The 289 and 302 both share the same 4.00" bore. The 302 has a slightly longer stroke. You can convert your 289 into a 302 by using a 302 rotating assembly in your 289 block. IIRC, some lower cylinder wall work is required to accomodate the longer stroke. As has been mentioned, you're probably better off just getting a 302 to start with. And yes, I have done my homework "dude".

 

cubic inches is horse power.for the money i would run a 351

 

eh, i just thought it would be cool to have a high revving small block that could take advantage of low gears (4.56+)

so basically a 289's not worth it especially if i'm just gonna have to buy light rods and crank anyway

oh and sorry about sounding like an idiot, but its hard to do homework on 289's when theres so much info out there about 302's.

thanks for the help, you guys really know your stuff

 

Hey Jug long time no see... One problem with the 289 stuff in a late 5.0 block.. rear main is different, as the 5.0 uses a one piece rear seal and the early 260/289/302 use a two piece. The block and the crank are different there.

The big difference is the stroke, a 289 has a 2.87" stroke while the 302 has a 3" stroke. Same 4" bore.

Mostly it depends on what you want, what RPM range you want it to run in, and if there are any class restricitons. If no class BS, for the same money a 351 will stomp a 289 in the same chassis. more torque, more HP, and only a bit more weight. If you need a tiny engine that revs like there is no limit on top, and you have the heads and cam to support it, then sure.. a 289 is the way to go.

But the 289 is a great engine, and there is no reason to throw one away, and it would still be fun to build a drag car with one. A buddy of mine has one running low 11s high tens in an early Falcon..

I like em all..