I don't know if I should be coming in here with a classic COUGAR question, but it's all the same, right?

I bought my '68 Cougar with a rebuilt 289 in it. Long story short, I found a mildly broken piston when changing the oil pan gasket. I put it in the garage to start doing some resto. work on it, and am getting ready to make some engine decisions.

Not sure if I should get rid of the 289 and spend my money on a 351W, or fix the piston and spend big on building up the 289, (I'm on a fixed income, so I can't afford to buy and build up a 351). Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

A stock 351w with a cam = badass on a budget

 

Right...more cubes and more cam equal more power!

 

Or take out the shock towers, do a Mustang II front end restoration in put in a 427.

 

Keep the 289. They are a bed *** motor with some work and yes they are the same.

Everyone thinks a 351 is so much better then a 289. Not so, the 289 has a bore a 351. The rods are longer. The 289 is a very fast rpm motor. It will out run most big blocks in the 1/8 mile. In the 1/4 some will get it. What are you going to do with it? Is it going to be a street rod or a drag car? Block to block the 289 is faster if you spend so money on it.

 

Look in to a stroker kit for the 289.

 

Look into 10 to 1 flat tops. Bore it .30 over. Don't stroke it. If you do that you will have a 351.

 

a 351w has a different block then a 289

 

A Cougar is alot of car for a 289, even a healthy one. If you plan to use it as a weekend cruiser, the 289 will be fine. If your plan is to bump up the performance, I vote for a 351w. With early heads and flat tops, the 4v was factory rated at 290hp. Add some headers a warmer cam and some gears and that cat will really wake up.

 

Here...here on the 351. Once again, facts speak louder than opinions. Given the same weight, drive train, tires etc...a car with more power and torque will always run faster than one with less power and torque, no matter what someone thinks or says. Physics just rules...don't even argue.