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  •  » Update on the ol 289

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    4/18/2021 9:04 PM  #1

    Cab4word67
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    From: Portland, Ore
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    Update on the ol 289

    Well it took 10 weeks to get this all resolved and I have to say I am enjoying the heck out of this power house. 
    289 bored out a bitt, .475 lift 260 dur and 106 lsp. toss in the new ported and bigger valve heads and a Performer topped with a 500 cfm carb and push it all out the FPA headers, through 40s and toss it through a set of 280 butt gears. I am happy. I now have 500 miles on it and will change the oil for the first time. (actually the 3rd time because of what all happened)
    I can only imagine what a 4 speed and lower gears would be like.  
    Chris

    Slammed Big Blue, ran over the varmints that messed with the Stang. Now all is good in the NW
     

    4/18/2021 9:35 PM  #2

    50vert
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    From: QLD Australia
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Great to hear Chris! It sounds like it's Bash ready.

    "Those telephone poles were like a picket fence"
     

    4/18/2021 9:50 PM  #3

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    anxious for a ride!!
    6sal6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    4/18/2021 10:41 PM  #4

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA
    Carrollton, GA Bash Host

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    From: CARROLLTON GEORGIA
    Registered: 4/14/2013
    Posts: 2,431

    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Sounds nice.

    Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
     

    4/19/2021 4:45 AM  #5

    Bolted to Floor
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Fantastic!!

    John  -- 67 Mustang Coupe 390 5 speed
     

    4/19/2021 5:13 AM  #6

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Good to know you finally got it running right.  A swap to a 3.55 rear gear will make it act like it has another 70HP.  Its a huge difference, BUT if you go that high you really should go to a 5 speed because highway driving will really be spinning that engine up there in the RPM range. 

     

    4/19/2021 5:58 AM  #7

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Outstanding, Chris.  Rack up another 500 or so and call it READY!

    If you can get a Z spec T5 and 3.55 gears you will love it.  The Z trans is a close ratio 4 spd with a .63 OD for gravy. 

    BB1+
     

    Last edited by Bullet Bob (4/19/2021 6:01 AM)

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    4/19/2021 7:52 AM  #8

    Nos681
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Can’t wait to hear it.

     

    4/19/2021 8:07 AM  #9

    Chaplin
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Excellent news.

     

    4/19/2021 8:13 AM  #10

    Raymond_B
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Awesome to hear!

     

    4/19/2021 9:42 AM  #11

    Cab4word67
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    I think I will try and make a vid today so I can share the sound.

    Slammed Big Blue, ran over the varmints that messed with the Stang. Now all is good in the NW
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/19/2021 2:28 PM  #12

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    TKOPerformance wrote:

    Good to know you finally got it running right.  A swap to a 3.55 rear gear will make it act like it has another 70HP.  Its a huge difference, BUT if you go that high you really should go to a 5 speed because highway driving will really be spinning that engine up there in the RPM range. 

    According to my RPM/Speed calculator at 70 mph with 3.55 gears and 25" tires you'll be turning just over 3300 rpm with any 1:1 trans.  Butt (TS&T), I spoke with Kelly H. at the Wimberley Bash in '15 and she had been all over the country in her FB 289, 4-spd, 3.25 gears normal cruising at 80 mph.  That works out to right at 3500...guess they'll do it but, man, I think it would get old in a hurry.
    I just went from a .67 to a .70 OD (AOD swap to 4R70W) in the Heap and just that couple of hundred RPM took some getting used to.

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    4/19/2021 11:14 PM  #13

    Cab4word67
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    I run 2450 at about 60 and I am still under 3000  at 70 and dang it sounds sweet I'm right in the RPM curve too with the performer intake.  Got the new Flokooler pump on today  didn't even have to pull radiiator or the electric fan, but it was close, paided resesing the radiator into the core. NEED 155 MILES to log in 500 of the break in miles so going on a short putt up the gorge tomorrow.

    Last edited by Cab4word67 (4/19/2021 11:15 PM)

    Slammed Big Blue, ran over the varmints that messed with the Stang. Now all is good in the NW
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/20/2021 12:40 AM  #14

    Toploader
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    I have a 289 with the 4-speed and 3.00 ratio rear axle in it.
    Mine will still launch from a set of lights and on the highway it seems ok to me. I don't hear any excessive revving and I could drive it all day long. There is no tachometer in it (yet), so I don't know what revs it is doing.

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
     

    4/20/2021 6:04 AM  #15

    TKOPerformance
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    The computed RPM and actual tend to vary with an automatic due to converter slippage, particularly with a higher stall converter.  Other factors are that tire size stated and actual tire size are often different by some margin.

    3.55s with the old C4 on the highway was just too much.  That engine is done at 5,000RPM and spinning it 3,500RPM for extended periods just isn't good for anything.  Cruise RPM ideally should be 50% of max engine speed or less.  With the T5 it now spins more like 2,500RPM at the same speed. 

     

    4/20/2021 11:54 AM  #16

    Nos681
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    TKOPerformance wrote:

    Good to know you finally got it running right.  A swap to a 3.55 rear gear will make it act like it has another 70HP.  Its a huge difference, BUT if you go that high you really should go to a 5 speed because highway driving will really be spinning that engine up there in the RPM range. 

    According to my RPM/Speed calculator at 70 mph with 3.55 gears and 25" tires you'll be turning just over 3300 rpm with any 1:1 trans.  Butt (TS&T), I spoke with Kelly H. at the Wimberley Bash in '15 and she had been all over the country in her FB 289, 4-spd, 3.25 gears normal cruising at 80 mph.  That works out to right at 3500...guess they'll do it but, man, I think it would get old in a hurry.
    I just went from a .67 to a .70 OD (AOD swap to 4R70W) in the Heap and just that couple of hundred RPM took some getting used to.

    3.25’s with a C4 is not bad at all.
    Even in 4th with a T5 is the same.

    Gotta use sound absorption material under that carpet.
    I have the mass backed by ACC similar to what is used in newer cars and trucks to make them quiet.
    I also have the advantage that my head is far from the roof too.😂

     

    4/20/2021 3:01 PM  #17

    Toploader
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    With noise insulation, I also recommend dynamat all over the floor, with some sort of mass loaded vinyl combo. Made a huge difference for me and I made up a thick MDF panel to go behind the rear seat and another MDF panel for the parcel tray shelf. I think that was the biggest difference as it's amazing how much noise comes through the trunk.

    1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
     

    4/20/2021 3:32 PM  #18

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Tire size plays a role in what is tolerable and what isn't.  That's worth noting because a lot of guys have swapped to 17s and tires that are larger in diameter than stock. 

     

    4/20/2021 5:16 PM  #19

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Toploader wrote:

    With noise insulation, I also recommend dynamat all over the floor, with some sort of mass loaded vinyl combo. Made a huge difference for me and I made up a thick MDF panel to go behind the rear seat and another MDF panel for the parcel tray shelf. I think that was the biggest difference as it's amazing how much noise comes through the trunk.

     
    X-2!
    6sal6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    4/20/2021 7:03 PM  #20

    Cab4word67
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    TKOPerformance wrote:

    The computed RPM and actual tend to vary with an automatic due to converter slippage, particularly with a higher stall converter.  Other factors are that tire size stated and actual tire size are often different by some margin.

    3.55s with the old C4 on the highway was just too much.  That engine is done at 5,000RPM and spinning it 3,500RPM for extended periods just isn't good for anything.  Cruise RPM ideally should be 50% of max engine speed or less.  With the T5 it now spins more like 2,500RPM at the same speed. 

    You say that 2500 is what you get with a T5, well that is what i cruise at doing 65 so 2800 anit that bad at 70+. I just don't get the seat of the pants launch but then I didn't build it for that so I think I'm good. 
     

    Slammed Big Blue, ran over the varmints that messed with the Stang. Now all is good in the NW
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/21/2021 5:43 AM  #21

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Cab4word67 wrote:

    TKOPerformance wrote:

    The computed RPM and actual tend to vary with an automatic due to converter slippage, particularly with a higher stall converter.  Other factors are that tire size stated and actual tire size are often different by some margin.

    3.55s with the old C4 on the highway was just too much.  That engine is done at 5,000RPM and spinning it 3,500RPM for extended periods just isn't good for anything.  Cruise RPM ideally should be 50% of max engine speed or less.  With the T5 it now spins more like 2,500RPM at the same speed. 

    You say that 2500 is what you get with a T5, well that is what i cruise at doing 65 so 2800 anit that bad at 70+. I just don't get the seat of the pants launch but then I didn't build it for that so I think I'm good. 
     

    I didn't build mine for that either, but when it came time to rebuild the rear I decided I wanted it so I went to the 3.55s.  I had 2.80s originally too.  When I wanted to take the car on longer trips which wold involve highway driving I decided I needed overdrive and I'd wanted a manual trans almost since the car was done, so the T5 swap killed two birds with one stone.  It didn't hurt that I've rebuilt dozens of them and had one sitting in the shop either. 

     

    4/21/2021 8:15 AM  #22

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    My old 1970 Boss 302 had 3.50 gears from the factory.  I drove it all over the place, highway cruising and stoplight to stoplight.   Had never heard of OVERDRIVE transmissions back then.  It just ran how it ran.  That engine WAS made for more rpm, but I’m sure a two barrel 289 will run 3,500 rpm all day long without any detrimental effects. It is what it is, and if the higher rpm doesn’t bother you, it won’t hurt the car.  It WILL get worse gas mileage, but so what?  It WILL have more road noise, but so what?   If that stuff bothers you, there are cures available, for a price.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    4/21/2021 9:34 AM  #23

    Nos681
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    My 65 coupe has had the following combos:

    195/75/14 = 25.5” (C4 w/2.80 gears)

    215/60/14 = 24.1” (C4  w/2.80 gears)

    235/60/14 = 25.1” (C4 w/2.80 gears and C4 w/3.25 gears)

    235/40/18 = 25.4” (T5 w/3.25 gears)

    BTW...
    235/45/17 = 25.3”

    Keep in mind that these are according to stated tire size not real tire size.

    Each manufacturer is a little different.

    Kinda like shoes.

     

    4/21/2021 7:16 PM  #24

    Cab4word67
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    Re: Update on the ol 289

    All good to know. The RPMs dont bother me and it used to get 15 on the hwy at 70 w/AC and cruise. And that was with a tired motor. 
    As of today we are doing great (500 miles in ) , I now have a FloKool water pump and a new ele fan from flex a lite, wave lo boy # 238. Holds 195-200 and thats at 65 MPH comes down some in town to a steady 195

    Slammed Big Blue, ran over the varmints that messed with the Stang. Now all is good in the NW
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/21/2021 8:26 PM  #25

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,259

    Re: Update on the ol 289

    Are you using a 195 thermostat?

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

     

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