CALIF GIRL said:
I am planning on taking my original 289 to be rebuilt soon.. I know next to nothing about engines...I want it to have some power, but I do not want to worry about heavy maintance on it...
Any suggestions of what to do to it?
Hi,
May I add a few thoughts, based on the past ownership of a '67 289-2v Cougar, a distant cousin of yours? This is indeed as part of your rebuild project, a nice time to think about some mild upgrades for a bit more power.
So long as you save all the engine bits you replace, (so you can put them back or a next owner can, if they want the caqr returned to stock, for authenticity at car shows and to claim an original car) I would feel comfortable with putting the car in order as you see fit) Since more power means getting gasoline and air into the car faster, and getting exhaust out faster, an upgrade to a four barrel carburettor, and a manifold if necessary, mated to a free flowing exhaust, maybe with magnaflow mufflers, will really put a smile on your face when you touch the gas. If your exhaust still is original, likely it has a resonator, as well, which probably you dont need to keep. With magnaflows the tone will be nice an mellow andrich, but shouldn't drone at 65 mph.
Does the engine seem to rattle abit when it starts, then settle down. If so, and the car has over 120,000 miles on it, the timing chain might be ready to let go, so I would replace it right now, along with the water pump, which would need to be pulled off to get to the chain. Those jobs are straightforward and won't break the bank, but if the chain goes, AFTER your motor gets rebuilt, the valves will collide and, well, you will need another rebuild. Trust me on that. So, when your new engine is done, hopefully you will have new hoses (DON't) forget the little bypass hose). You will be good to go!
With the extra go if your car doesn't have fronjt disc brakes, it would be a great time to get them now. Don't you think? I would pay a few dollars extra and buy a disc brake pedal pad with the silver circle on it too. Yes it will cost something extra for a drum to drum conversion, but there is a reason the cars today have disc and not drium brakes. They stop faster and don't fade and are better in rain!!
I learned the hard way abouot bypass hoses and drum brakes. Don't ask!!
Good luck Jim B.
Bwst3e3 q