Early SBF Question.

[metalshapes]

My G/Fs '63 Falcon collapsed a lifter Fryday so it was time to rip the engine apart.
It has a early SBF out of a '64 Galaxy ( 260 Bellhouse patern ).
I rebuilt the block about 5 years ago, but I was broke at the time, so I used the 260 Heads, Intake and Cam on the 289 block.
Now it is going to get a Crane Cam, Edelbrock Intake, Holley 600, and '90 Mustang Heads.( She wants more power...)
I will drill the extra steam holes in the heads, to line up with the early Head gaskets ( I did that before, using late model heads on a '72 engine, and it seemed to work fine ).

But what about pushrod lenth?
Should I worry, or will it be the right lenth?
( I really hope so, The thing is completely ripped apart already, and she thinks she will be driving it to work Monday...)

[AnimalAin]

I am not certain, but the newer heads use non-adjustable pedestal type rockers. I think you will need different pushrods. And the ones from the 90 motor probably won't fit, since that is a hydraulic roller motor.

By the way, I don't think there is a nickel's difference between the 260 and early 289 heads.

The later heads might lower compression due to the chamber volume..... Don't be shocked if that happens. I am not sure there is much (any) substantial advantage to the later heads so far as airflow is concerned.

Good luck; I am sure it will work out with only about an extra dozen or so trips to the parts house...... Ain't that always the way it works out?

[metalshapes]

Yeah, that is the way it always works out.
I hate working on Engines...
I'd rather swing a hammer at a piece of Sheet Metal. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
She is driving my Truck, getting parts right now and me and a Buddy are working on the car...

Dont you think the later heads are better?
The Intake Valves are a lot bigger, and you would think they learned a thing or two about Combustion Chamber shapes after all those years...

[Fat Hack]

Use older (70s or late 60s vintage) 302 heads with adjustable rockers...you can score 'em dirt cheap, and they'll give you all the power you need if you keep the cam specs reasonable and use a dual plane intake and small four barrel.

Plus...no worries on pushrod length! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Flat Ernie]

Animal & Fat Hack have steered you right - the late model heads will only buy you a compression decrease & pushrod nightmares.

Try to find some 68-72 302 heads - they're plentiful, cheap, & the heart-shaped chamber works pretty well. Spend a bit of time cleaning them up, port match & work the exhaust good.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[metalshapes]

That is what I would have done if I would have had a little more time.
But the lifter went bad on Friday, I got some parts from the Speedshop Sat morning, and I already owned the '90 Heads with very little miles on them.
Sat afternoon I took all the parts off the engine, and I am putting it back together right now.
My goal is for her to start the thing up tomorrow morning, to drive it to work.
I took some measurements with the pushrods on both heads, and it looks to be real close.
if it does not work out, it will get the 260 Heads back on it...

Did I mention I hate working on Engines??

Thanks for the info guys...

[Flat Ernie]

I'm exactly the opposite - gimme engines any day over sheetmetal!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Fat Hack]

I like to attatch things to the car! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[metalshapes]

OK, the thing finally runs.

It took about twice as long to do as I hoped it would, because lots of things that looked the same turned out to be slightly different.
That ment chainging the mounts for the A/C and the Altinator.
And when you buy a brand new 4BBL and a Intake you dont get any part of a linkage, carb studs or caps to plug all the extra holes...
And I had to rob the finned aluminum valve covers off my Truck, because the original Falcon Sprint ones did not have enough clearence...

There was a problem with the Pushrod length, but I read in the instructions that if the rods are too long you can put spacers under the Rockers.
Mine were too short but they were soft enough to machine down on my Bridgeport.
I dont think I screwed up the geometry to much, I did not take that much off them ( The engine would run before I did that but they were tapping a little )

I still need to play with the Carb a little ( I think it is way too rich ) but it already runs a lot better than it ever did.

[flt-blk]

So you are a mechanic too now?

I figured you would make some valve covers instead of
taking them of your shop truck?

TZ

[metalshapes]

[ QUOTE ]
So you are a mechanic too now?

I figured you would make some valve covers instead of
taking them of your shop truck?

TZ

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, you know...
When a girl asks you nicely...

[scarliner]

So does this mean if I get a girl to ask you nicely, you could hammer out an all steel 32 three window body, in a weekend?

[metalshapes]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif