Im a new kidd on here, and i need peoples opinions on my current 289 build.
I pulled the 289 out of my 65 mustang and im going with Edelbrock Performer heads,intake,600 carb and waterpump all from Edelbrock.Im also gonna do roller rockers and use the stock pushrods.I picked up a Isky cam & lifterkit yesterday part # cl-381271 (270 mega) Is this a good set up??? and do I really need to change the torque converter?

Any feedback will be appreciated

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Sure, that cam has slightly higher lift, and shorter duration, than the stock 289 High Performance cam. Seems to be a drag-racing derived grind. It'll give you a choppy idle, and not terribly good performance at top end. You'll probably see good mid-range power, though.

If you want to change converters, go with one a little higher stall than stock but not real high. What rear axle ratio are you running?

 

OUCH!
a) pushrods will need to be measured to size
b) edelbrock heads usually use guide plates. stock pushrods are not hardened. That's a big no no. So if you use the guideplates and roller rockers to suite, you ahev to get hardened pushrods, ortherwise you will grind through them like butter.



which heads exactly are yopu planning? edelbrock part number?

 

I'm not a big fan of Isky's off the shelf grinds. Narrow power band and choppy idle, like 2+2GT said.

To recommend a good cam, we need to know more info; what's been done to the bottom end (specifically rod and main bolts), rear end ratio, whether or not you're willing to change the torque converter, and what kind of use the car is going to see (street, strip, track, or a combination).

+1 on ditching the stock pushrods. Assume they won't fit and measure for new, hardened pushrods.

 

Actually, 63-66 289 engines, before Change Level 11 all had hardened pushrods. Even if his 65 is a stock 289 2V, it should have hardened rods. If he has the later setup, or is buying rods, that's very good advice. The later "rail" rockers did not require hardened pushrods, but I'd use them anyway. If he's determined to use that Iskenderian cam, he'll need to have screw-in studs, and carefully check for spring binding, it opens almost half an inch.

 

I used that cam waaaay back when i first had my 289. The power was good up to about 55-5800, but there was other limiting factors. With stock heads and Performer intake and the usual bolt ons, i made 305 hp at the wheels and it ran mid/high 12's. I had a 2500 rpm converter, but my buddy had the same cam with a stock converter and it was fine.I used it for about 8 years i think.

 

Brilliant info 2+2. thx. The v8 that was slapped in my 64 was November 66 if I remember correctly. I believed them to not be hardened and just assumed none of them were as there really was no need for it

 

thanks for all the advice guys