289 vs 302 - which to go with

[bsquared]

I bought a pulled engine that was listed as a 302. Since the heads said 302, the PO just assumed the whole engine was. Turns out the block is a 289.

I've always been a shade tree mechanic and this is my first performance build and I want to get it right. Been buying all the parts: GT40 heads, NP435 tranny, etc, etc.

Question is: should I keep the 289 block, crank, pistons, etc or ditch this engine and find a 302 short block for the 3.00 stroke and no piston slap?

Any and all help, opinions, BS is greatly appreciated!

Cheers, B2

 

[needabronco]

The only difference (mechanically) is the crankshaft, did you check the crank? It very well may be a 302.... 2M is a 289, 3M is a 302.

 

[Broncobowsher]

It may be a 289 block, but what are the crank and rods? 302 has a slightly longer stroke in the crank and a slightly shorter rod. You must check that before you know what you have. Very good chance you do have a 302 in a left over 289 block.

Personally I like the 289 just slight better. If the parts are usable, I would use what you have, regardless if it is a 289 or 302.

 

[Explorer]

According to my Ford Interchange manual, 1M is the 221-289ci. 302's are 2M and 3M would be 351ci.

 

[needabronco]

Thanks Explorer, my brain is super foggy with a sinus/head cold, I was going off of memory... Which usually isn't a good thing;D

 

[Explorer]

Only reason I caught it was, I just had to id a crank in an engine a couple weeks ago. At my age I can't trust my feeble memory and have to check everything.

 

[englewoodcowboy]

In mid 68 ford switched over to the 302 using leftover 289 blocks. I had a 68 stang and when we broke it down it had a 289 block but crank and heads were all 302. That is probably thestory behind this block. My .02, build the 302 if your crank is good etc. buying a new crank and rods will run the price up.

 

[bsquared]

Thanks to all for posting. I should have mentioned it - crank is definitely 289 with the 1M stamped on it. I have all the 302 upgrades coming (GT40's, Edelbrock 2121, etc) and was wondering if the slightly lower compression will offset the advantages I'm working towards. Was thinking about a Voodoo cam to get some hot-rodness out of the build. Do I have to be worried about anything when using a 302 cam in a 289 block and crank?

While I am adding the NP435, I won't be doing much extreme 4X4'ing. Truck is uncut and super clean. Mostly looking for a clean and fairly hot runner that has some offroad cred to it. Your thoughts on using the 289 as a base are appreciated!

 

[needabronco]

289's tend to make their power a little higher in the rpm range so be mindful when picking out a cam. If you go too hot rod your low end will virtually go away, and low end is what Bronco's seem to need the most. If you stick with a decent rv/off road cam you'll be fine.

The 289 Bronco's I've driven were fun to drive on the street, and even stock seemed to wind up better than a stock 302...

 

[Broncobowsher]

Thanks to all for posting. I should have mentioned it - crank is definitely 289 with the 1M stamped on it. I have all the 302 upgrades coming (GT40's, Edelbrock 2121, etc) and was wondering if the slightly lower compression will offset the advantages I'm working towards. Was thinking about a Voodoo cam to get some hot-rodness out of the build. Do I have to be worried about anything when using a 302 cam in a 289 block and crank?

While I am adding the NP435, I won't be doing much extreme 4X4'ing. Truck is uncut and super clean. Mostly looking for a clean and fairly hot runner that has some offroad cred to it. Your thoughts on using the 289 as a base are appreciated!

No, nothing at all. You could run a 351W cam in the 302 block with a a 289 crank if you wanted to. Other then the tuning aspects of the cam (lift, duration, etc) the small block ford cams all interchange until you get to the roller lifters. At that point then you have to get the right parts or a few other tricks.

 

[bsquared]

Thanks for all the insight. This is an awesome forum! Couldn't get by without it.

Cheers, B2

 

[Mikey]

In mid 68 ford switched over to the 302 using leftover 289 blocks. I had a 68 stang and when we broke it down it had a 289 block but crank and heads were all 302. That is probably thestory behind this block. My .02, build the 302 if your crank is good etc. buying a new crank and rods will run the price up.

Ditto on my 68 Cougar!