After doing some more investigation I think I need a valve job.

I had posted last week that from time to time the Stang smokes out the tail pipe, especially if you let it sit and idle for a while. Interestingly enough however, I have not noticed any excessive oil usage. I drove it around a lot last week and it might could use a touch but not anywhere near even half a quart.

I ran by a friend's resto shop today and we were looking at a few things. At the very least, I have a leaky valve cover gasket on the passenger's side which is also the side that smokes when left to idle for a while.

Debating...would it be better to have a valve job done or just buy some new heads? I am assuming new heads would get rid of the need for a valve job....

I have been considering eventually buying heads and getting a new intake / carb anyway to beef up the horse power some anyway.

 

I would go ahead and buy new heads. No need to spend money twice for the same thing.

 

have you looked into gt 40's
if your not looking for a great amount of power, and want a cheap(er) alternative to a rebuild i think this is one of the best ways to go, however i am been quite unsuccessful as to finding myself a set, every dang pair in the yard nearest to me is gone, and from what Ive heard the yard im not allowed in has them on everything that came there with them

 

Why aren't you allowed in?

 

That is sort of what I was thinking.

Now just need to figure out where to find a set that will work on a 289 and how much $$$ I need to come up with :-)

 

finding a set is cake, the money is the more important part lol

 

I do not disagree that if you want new heads, now is a good time to do it since you are having issues. That being said, it is going to be MUCH cheaper to have a 3 angle valve job and new gaskets installed than buying new heads. Depending on what heads you have, you may want or need hardened valve seats which is a perfect time to do that too. My guess is you are looking at half the price of new heads to fix your old ones...if budget is important.

If you decide to go with new heads, look at heads in the 160-170cc intake runner range which should be about right for a 289CID. Do some searches on the forum for brands people like. There is a post about this almost every week.

 

http://www.car-stuff.com/carparts/fo...e38603591.html

So you think something along these lines might work?

Budget isn't "that important" really other than taking some time to save up parts money the wife doesn't know about, LOL!

Wondering if I shouldn't save a bit longer and go ahead and upgrade the intake and carb at the same time. :-)

 

The intake and carb aren't going to cost very much relative to the heads. I got my Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and an 1406 600CFM Carb for about $200 on ebay. They were both used but after a good cleaning and a rebuild kit they're as good as new.