Other than the numbers- is there a whole lot of difference between these motors? Build numbers? I'm guessing not many 260's were made, so when i rebuild it will be hard to find parts? Anyone out there have any experience with these motors or like these motors in particular?
I am N O T a SBF guy ... But some ( all ? ) 260's have a 5 bolt bell housing. Most 289's have a 6 bolt bell housing. The 5 bolt bell housing is supposed to be more narrow than the 6 bolt.
They are both good engines. The only difference is the bore. 3.8" vs. 4" If you have a choice go with a 289. It will have noticeably more power and is one of the nicest running engines out there.
All 260s were 5 bolt bellhousings. The 6 bolt bellhousing of the mid 65 on 289s is preferred as it opens up the trans choices. Most all the 302 stuff works on the 289. Other than the heads and intakes, not much works very well on the 260.
If you really want to learn a lot about SBF motors you may want to check this out and order the book: www.mre-books.com/interchange/interchange2.html
260 rebuild parts are readily available,just did a stock rebuild earlier this year.Unless you are restoring a car why mess with the 260?The small bore limits heads with big valve sizes.A 289-302 looks basically the same on outward appearance,and there are limitless performance parts available,and with the 6 bolt bellhousing,transmission choices are huge.The price difference to rebuild is about the same for each. ROY.
Unless you are broke and a 260 is all you got, the 289 is the way to go. I can't imagine why someone would choose a 260 over a 289. Improving the heads is key for SBFs and your hands are kinda tied with the 260.
260's really like to rev! the pistons a lighter and the small cubes with some good heads (302 4v or 351w) allow it to really run well up top!
True, but I really believe the same is not true for aftermarket heads. And lets be honest, factory SBF heads are not that great.
You can bolt on any small block Ford head but bigger valves will hit the block.You could scallop the block,but why.As for revving,they both have a 2.87" stroke,and the pistons aren't much lighter and they only had 8 or 8.5 compression.Most stock Ford 289-302s all had the same valve sizes although they are bigger than stock 260 valves.The 5 bolt block really limits trans choices. ROY.
what about the 260s that were in the '64 falcon sprints? did they not have good heads & more compression than a normal 260?
Nope, same 164 HP rating, only difference was a chrome dress-up kit with open element air cleaner which didn't make any difference on a 2V carb. The Sprints supposedly had a different muffler, but that was just to make it sound sportier. -KK
Awesome feed back guys! Muchly appreciate anyone opinion on here! All had great pointers. I have owned 289's before but just got hold of a 66 Ranchero with a 260 and wasn't sure about them in any way knowledge wise. Might run the 260 for a while and try find a 289 to rebuild. ;-)
A 260 in a 66 Ranchero? They were last produced in 1964. They had a different bolt pattern on both the bellhousing and the motor mounts. The bell was a 5 bolt pattern and the bolt spacing for the motor mounts were six inches apart were the 289 were seven inches apart. unless it was a later 260 with the three freeze plugs on the side. then the motor mounts were seven inches like the 289. They did share the same crank but the 260 only had a 3.80 bore which limited you to what heads you can use. The 260 also had a low compression of 8.7:1 and a hole 164 HP. THe block on a 260 can not be bored out top 4inches the same as the 289. The heads had small runner with 54.5 cc chambers and 1.67 intake and 1.45 exhaust valves. these head do not flow well. The 289 and 302 are better to build. There are a lot of after market parts and cheaper to build. And with the 289 -2V you are starting out with 9.3:1 compression and 195 HP. 4V start out with 10.0:1 compression and 210 HP, The HP motor has 11.0:1 with 271 HP
Yeah sorry its a 65- the seller listed it as a 66 originally- only just picked it up. Thanks for that info!
Take that 260 out and put it behind the garage and look for a 289-302, you'll be years ahead of the game. I'm surprised no one talked about the one year only 5 bolt 289 block.
If you are restoring it to numbers matching or something go ahead and restore the 260, your falcon is a smaller vehicle and the 260 wasn't horrible. If you want it to perform I would put in at least a 289 and hey if you can put in a 351, truth fully most people would not visually know the difference between a 260 and a 351.