I am planning on rebuilding my 1966 289, I was wondering if anyone has any suggetions on rebuild kits. What size overbore have you all had the best results with and what brand kit should I go with. Thanks,
Kevin

 

The first order of business is to get yourself a restoration guide book for your 66. Then, get a shop manual for a 66 289. Decide what you want your engine to be able to do after the rebuild, and collect those parts. Then the fun part begins. If you are going to stay stock, then here is a fairly inexpensive kit with good name brand parts. I suggest getting the upgrades they suggest. I have seen kits as high as a thousand dollars. http://www.greenbaypartsworld.com/f289a.htm
The 289 has a standard bore of 4" and the standard over bore is .030.

 

If you plan on rebuilding the engine yourself make sure you find a reputable machine shop before you do anything else. Make sure the shop knows about Fords. You will wind up flushing all your cash down the toilet if you get a shop that has no idea what they are doing (and there are a lot of them!)

There is a great book that I used when I did my first rebuild - "How to rebuild your small block Ford". That thing is the bible for rebuilding your engine. Even if you are challenged to change a waterpump, you can complete a rebuild that will last a long time by following that book.

So buy the book, read it cover to cover, and follow it to the letter!



C!

 

Is it really necesary to take an engine to a machine shop? For instance, if the engine seems to run fine but leaks oil and pretty much needs a 'cleanup' can't you just pull the carb, intake, valve covers, oil pan and front and rear seals?

 

You'll want the block dipped to clean it up...
Cylinders honed, possibly bored out like he is saying...
Block checked for cracks...
Cylinder deck milled true
Heads milled true (if using old ones)
Multi-angle-Valve job + hardened seats and valves (so you can burn modern gas without lead additives)
Check the crank for stress cracks, rehone and balance the rotating assemblies
Cam bearings removed and new ones installed

Plus many many more things if you want a quality build. If you are just refreshing the gaskets, that's another story.

 

Muska4star is talking about an complete overhaul, whereas PAK is just talking about some maintenace issues. Yeah, Pak, if you aren't going to overhaul the entire engine, then you won't need to worry about a machine shop.