whats the difference in the 289 and the 302 since they are such close in motor size and which one has the best performance?

 

stroke is the only difference. A 289 crank will make a 302 block in to a 289 and a 302 crank in a 289 block will make it a 302. More stroke = a lower red line so you can wind up a 289 just a a little higher, but a 302 will produce a little more HP due to the extra 13 cubic inches. All in all they are basically the same thing and can be made to perform the same.

 

now when you do that, do you have to swap the rods over also from the 302 or just the crank and use the 289 rods?

 

rods are different. a 289 has 5.155 rods while a 302 has 5.09 rods.

IMO, its worth giving up a few cubes for the better rod/stroke ratio and faster, higher rev's of a 289 which is exactylt why i took the extra time to gather up 289 parts when my 302 exploded.

 

the 302 rods ate a little shorter, cant use 302 rods in a 289 or vica-versa....

(without custom pistons anyway)

 

Yeah there right besides the displacement its the same only real way to tell the block is the casting numbers.

 

All 302's have a 6-bolt bell housing pattern. Only the latter 289's have the 6-bolt bell housing pattern. Earlier versions had a 5-bolt.

 

OH good point!!! however 5 bolt 289s are few and far between most of the 5 bolt cars Ford built had 260s rather than 289s so chances are you will not find a 5 bolt 289