i recently got a 66 convertible GT 289 4 barrel...it has 42k original miles, it sat for 18 years in a garage, it had clean oil in it and coolant...

i am told by my uncle, the only owner, at 19k it was bored .30 over, and a edlebrock intake manifold, after market pistons and rods, and some head work...

just trying to figure out if i should pull it for a rebuild, or sell and pick up a crate motor,...

what would something like this sell for?

 

That's a tough one. I've seen used 289's on ebay for anywhere from 200-500 dollars. I wouldn't even know where to begin with a asking price. I guess do some research on craig's list in your area, and ebay, and try to judge where your engine sits in the market value in your area. Zip code plays a pretty good role in judging what you can get for something. What were you thinking of asking.

As far replacing or rebuilding... I'd look at a crate motor since it's already been rebuilt once. Just me though. I'm looking at a FRPP crate motor to replace my worn out 289. It still runs good, but it's definitely tired. Time to put this bad boy to rest.

 

WHY was it rebuilt with so few miles? That just SCREAMS problems to me... either A) sonmething went wrong early on or B) it had so few miles for so many years it had to be rebuilt because something went wrong. Pull it,.

 

it was rebuilt for more power that was the only reason he said

 

Sitting for 18 years definitley needs a rebuild. Sitting can cause a lot of problem, suck valves, lifters, gummed up lines, brittle valve stems, if original timing chain - I'm not sure if the 289 has nylon guides but if they do probably brittle by now and could jump time.

Really depends on what you want and budget. If you want keep oriiginality and matching number rebuild. If you want something you can drop in with more pony potential I'd do a crate. That's the route I'm taking on a sportroof. I'm keep my mach engine orginal and rebuilding.

 

30 over is pretty much the max on these small blocks. I'd say plan on a different unit.

 

psh, .30 over is weak sauce

my 289 is bored .60 over

 

Not weak sauce just the safe limit.Ive seen and driven 289 that were done .60 over too and dont seem to be too big of a problem.But potential more overheating problems.

 

Change the oil and re prime the block. You'll find the only thing that needs to be replaced are the umbrella seals in the heads. If the rings are sticking a little trans fluid down the carb will cure that.
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