i took the old I6 out of my 67 mustang and am now looking at replacing it. i do however have a few questions and would like some advice.

i bought a 289 block, it is just the block and new edlebrock performer 289 intake. i have not gone far enough into checking if the block is any good, all i have is 100 bucks invested in the block and intake.

now that you have the background what would make for the best swap. assuming the block is good should i try to rebuild it from scratch or should i look for an old mustang with a efi 289 or 302 and do the efi swap. i know there are alot of performance parts for the efi 302's. which would be more economical and get the best bang for the buck on power. i also understand that i should get better mpg from an efi and get more power, i am not sure if that is true or not.

i live in houston TX and i don't have to worry about extremely cold temps and i want the most reliable motor and something that i can easily mod for more power at a later time. Or would i be better off just building the 289 from scratch and put better parts on from the start, then i wouldn't have to worry about it at at a latter time. i also want to pair the engine with t-5 tranny.

thanks for any help

 

You are better off keeping the blocked and star from there like you said to prevent future break downs
and you would know what you've put on the engine.
i recommend you to take it to a shop and replace your piston rings and if the pistons are good keep them.
that should be about$200
then you can stick with buyin edelbrock heads they come complete all you have to get are the rocker studs.
for your heads and studs, should run you about$1200
they also sell water pumps which i recommend you to get and timing chain that should be about $400
Hope i helped out threw you sum numbers to get you an i dea in what your getting but it would be well worth it.
I my self am doing that.

 

EFI = More parts and requires a better understanding of mechanics then the everyday backyard mechanic wants to take the time to tune,repair,and modify.
Yes, EFI is better then carburated as far as how it uses the fuel it's given.
You just have to decide how much time and money you are willing to stick into your car and that should determine which way to go.
If you want an easy to work on everyday driver I would suggest staying with your 289
If you don't mind spending extra time and money working on EFI and just drive the car every now and again then EFI is the way to go.
You could find a 1997 and up Mustang/Thunderbird/Cougar with a 302 and T-5 tranny and use that as a donor for your Mustang it would be a easy swap.
If you get a EFI 302 you will need a wiring harness,computer,alternator,PS pump etc...
Unless you can find a parts car it won't be as cheap as building your 289
If cost is a factor then build the 289 and don't waste your money on a EFI swap.

 

First of all, juansp67, he doesn't have any pistons, rods, crank, etc... just the block and only the block. Not a short block. So he would have to buy all of this. Secondly, all Edelbrock heads come with rocker studes and guideplates already installed, unless you oreder bare castings. Secondly, in reply to wildmustang351, 1996 and up cars all had the 4.6, not a 5.0. I think you meant to say 87 and up, instead of 97 and up.

Heres what I would do: Buy an eagle 347 stroker kit, they will run you like $1200 for a balanced assembly for a manual trans ($1000 for auto). It comes with a crank, rods, pistons, pins, bearings, rings, flywheel, and a harmonic balancer. Everything you need to build your bottom end. I would then get a good comp cam, but retrofit it to a hyd. roller. You will have buy linked roller lifters, but they will run you about $500, or you can contact coast high (www.coasthigh.com) and look at their retro fit hyd. roller cams. These cams allow you to drill and tap your block and install late model 5.0 roller lifters, spider, and dog bones into your current 289 block. This is the setup that I run, and it works well. As far as heads, If you want really good power, go with AFR 185s. They are not cheap, but they flow awesome. If you are looking for something more user friendly and something better for just everyday driving, then go with Edelbrock Performer RPMs. The intake will be pretty much useless, so ebay it and try to get an Edelbrock Air Gap, or a performer RPM. Either of these would better suit the 347. Go with a 650 Demon carb. Probably mechanical secondaries.

Anyway, take this into consideration. I would highly reccomend it because you can build a highly reliable engine that will be very streetable for about the same price you could build the 289 for using all stock style parts. Anyway, dont go with EFI, while its nice when everything works correctly, its a nightmare if something goes wrong.

 

Good luck finding a 289 crankshaft. Just so happens that I have a good one and a set of reconditioned 289 rods. Might sell for right price.
Late model (85-95) 302 (5.0) EFI or carbed would be the best choice based on availbility of cores, aftermarket parts, reliabilty and fuel economy.