I have been talking to a local guy that can build me a decent 302 for the Mustang...it would be pretty much turn key for $1,600 in only lacking a distributor and carb (which I already have a Holley 4bbl) and will need to find a fly wheel (I think). It would come with GT40 heads, decent cam without going over kill, etc. Just your basic solid street engine.

Guy seems to know what he is doing and come highly recommended by a friend that had this guy build an engine for their '68 Mustang. I saw a picture of the motor he build for them and it looks really nice.

One thing I will need eventually is a set of shorty headers so I ordered those and they should be here sometime in the next week. The ones I am running now on the 289 are probably the original ones and look like death warmed over.

I am about six plus months out from moving on this because I am saving up some more money and the more time I have the more likely I am to find a good deal on some of the misc. parts I will need. Also, saving up a bit extra because I want to clean up the engine bay, get a new export brace, add a Monte Carlo bar, etc while the motor is out.

So the moral debate I am having is do I go ahead and install the shorty headers now on the 289...I wouldn't think they would get too dirty, etc if I ran them on that engine for 6 +/- months before I get around to putting in the new motor.

I did decide not to install the Holley over a stock cam / heads so I am just keep that stored for now but I don't think it would hurt anything to go ahead and bolt on the shorty's would it...pretty simple bolt on that wouldn't take any time to speak of.....

 

a) if you have headers, then yes sure bolt them on, but they might look 'dirty' once you install the new engine. I beleiev it's not mjuch of a bother as I don't use them for good looks. You sound like you're not going ceramic coated anyway. maybe someone has an idea on what to do with them so they stay nice and clean. Maybe just paint them when you get the new engine in ?

b) ...." get a new export brace, add a Monte Carlo bar, etc while the motor is out". You don't do that with engine out. It's done with engine in.
This is something you can easily do now. Hard thing is sometimes to get them in the first time round. pulling them out before you pull the engine only takes a couple of minutes. Short story: I'd rather do both of them now. More important to have better handling than quicker engine
c) ....I did decide not to install the Holley over a stock cam / heads
what cfm is that holley 4bbl? is your current intake 4barrell stock or 2 barrell stock? what carb are you running currently?

Kalli

 

Holley is a 600 cfm but I am currently running everything stock with a 2bbl.

Headers are polished stainless....

I have been kicking around going ahead with the export / Monte Carlo plus replacing the fender apron / battery tray now. After 42 years my battery tray is shot and it is also affecting the fender apron under it. Already have the battery tray and the other piece is pretty cheap.

The front frame rails are fine and we basically totally rebuilt the stock front end (i.e. new shocks, tie rods, bearings, etc) when I bought the car last April.

My main goal is to clean the engine bay up when the motor is out because there are parts you just can't get to properly with it in...but I have been kicking around getting started on some of the other pieces of the puzzle now.

 

$1600 for a complete engine with intake, balancer, water pump, fuel pump, oil pump, alt, and just missing a dizzy, flywheel, and carb? Sounds stolen or full of Chinese parts.

New 302 crate motors are $5k for cheap ones. I would get a parts list including manufacturer and part number before I committed any money.

 

I don't know that installing the new headers now on the 289 will "break them in", but it couldn't hurt, and it will only cost you the gaskets and your time and labor.

Prepping the engine bay properlywhen the motor is out is important. Check for any cracks in the shock towers. This is a prob with many Mustangs. The towers should have been designed stronger, but the original design of the Mustang didn't forsee 40 years of use. Welding on a pair of braces is easily done when the motor is out.

Plan on getting new motor mounts. The old ones may still work, but if they are original, the rubber is dried and probably cracked. If the torque from the new motor splits them open, you'll have to pull the motor again to replace them, and the fan will probably chew up the shroud with the motor jumping around.

You can put everything new on the car prior to the new motor installation, except of course the Monte Carlo bar.

Post pics along the way. Good luck.

CP

 

Hell, my short block alone cost me nearly 2 grand.

 

my short block is around 2500 as of now and I still dont have a cam ground yet. That engine almost sounds too good to be true.

 

I've seen remanufactured 302 long blocks for 1000-1250. There is a big difference in price when you're going with high performance parts but the stock stuff is cheap.

 

$5k for a cheap crate 302? Hate to see the places you shop.

Here is a 430 HP 430 TQ 347 stroker for $4k and comes with 12 year/ 12k mile warranty http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/302-F...Q5fAccessories