[289 maverick]

hey guys just wondering,

whats the maximum cam lift for a ford 289 with stock heads? (i have a A code or K code engine, ill see when i pull the motor out)

ive heard talk saying you cant go .500 over or .490 without changing the push rods and rocker arms. i want to put a cam into my motor but not have to change the rocker arms or get new rods.

also another question, would i have to get aftermarket springs? or can i use the stock ones?

[cindys_sn95]

you do not pick a cam based on "how much lift can i run". many many varibles. questions need to be asked and answered. and yes, no mater what, you will need springs.

[289 maverick]

yes i know, i just want to know my limit so i can start from there.

[cacsmustang]

Cindy is right , you need to ask a lot of question's before hand , are you running an automatic or manual trans, and is this going to be a street /strip car or just a street car, and you are limited some what by using stock head's , some cam's work better with after market head's and intake's ,you need to look at many thing's before choosing a cam, you may put in a cam with huge lift with stock head's and a mis matched carb and intake and the engine will fall flat on it's face, so call the cam help line's and ask question's they will lead you in the right direction.

[gearheadhick429]

iv used a nastalgia 271 + i beleive its called a few times. sounds pretty aggressive and accepted stock (sized) heads and punshrods. went with roller rockers and stock springs. 10,000 on one of them without problems. may be a little aggressive for you. opens up at 2100 or something like that. has a good performance lope sound to it. check out that line of cams. just something to look at

[Smitten]

You may be able to tell a K Code engine from the outside. It has a different harmonic balancer. Pop a valve cover and see if the heads have the valve spring seats machined and screw in studs, although those can be 'faked'. The heads themselves should have two dots over the 289 cast in them. Once you tear it apart, you would see the connecting rod bolt differences. Are the exhaust manifolds still on and original? They are diferent also, but again, easily faked. Dual point diizzy? Again, easily faked, I have one if you want to buy it!