I have a 1966 mustang that needs restoration and i Wanted to know what engine would be good for it. It came with a 289 Or would it beteer to just have the old one cleand and rebuilt
2007-03-25 08:41:15 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
First doyou want to restore the car to original condition to keep the value of the car up? With that answered then you can decide what to do. the 289 is a very buildable small block engine. I used to buy them and build them up to stick into variouse mini trucks and could get an easy 400 horse to the ground. if you aren't to concrened with gas prices and fuel milage then a 428 SCJ engine would be my #1 choice, fallowed close behind would be a 460. neither of these are easy swaps. if you are looking for an easy swap a 302 (pre 5.0) or a 351W would be the way to go. all of these engine swaps would make the car less vaaluable to an already dieng mustang market. If it were me i would soup up the 289 and leave it at that untill the mustang market starts to climb again.
2007-03-25 08:49:08 · answer #1 · answered by slim69782003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'66 Mustangs are often worth more to collectors if they have as many original parts as possible, so cleaning and rebuilding the 289 may be your best bet. If it passes a leakdown test and leaks no oil, you could even skip the part of rebuilding it.
If you'd rather have power than originality, any of Ford's other smallblock V8s (302, 351W, and a handfull of smaller motors that aren't worth mentioning) will swap in with a minimum of hassle. The 351W is a bit wider, which makes the swap a little harder but still possible. The 302 has the same dimensions on the outside as a 289. There are also a couple of stroker versions of the smallblock like the 347. Which one depends on your budget.
2007-03-25 08:49:14 · answer #2 · answered by Mad Scientist Matt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you want to keep it stock get the 289 rebuilt especially if the 289 is the origional motor that came with the car from the factory, if you rebuild it the car will be worth more with the origional motor in it but if you don't want to keep the car stock a 5.0 302 will bolt right in.
2007-03-25 14:52:40 · answer #3 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 289 was a good engine for it's day, and I'd definately consider keeping it in the car if it was the origional engine. That will keep the car as origional as possible. Best resale value, but I hope you plan to keep it.
2007-03-25 08:48:30 · answer #4 · answered by dannyo66 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 289 was a better motor of all ford motors that was put in their cars in 66. That motor has the best stroke and it is one of the more rarest motors out there. That motor help produce the car to be a pony car that it is. Plus by having the orignal motor in your car it holds better value and is worth more any ways.
2007-03-25 09:15:46 · answer #5 · answered by Candace F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you are going to do with the car if you are making it a driver I would keep the original engine it also helps the resale value but if you want a hot rod you may want to think about a 351
2007-03-25 08:50:52 · answer #6 · answered by Eric K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋