[mwillis]

Hey guys,

I recently acquired a '65 289, C-code from a guy I work with and I'm planning on doing a "budget" rebuild. I know, I should have just bought a crate motor. I really don't have a firm plan, yet.

I am planning on using a Lunati Voodoo 256 cam, Hipo manifolds, and dual plane intake (performer, stealth, etc.). My car has the 2.80 rear and I think I would like to keep that, and just replace the carrier with an lsd. Also planning on using a converter with a VERY slightly higher stall speed. My intended result is to just have fun, but have a car that is still very driveable. Oh yeah, my car has PS and AC.

My question is which heads would be a good choice? The engine realistically will rarely see the high side of 5 grand. Should I just stick with the stock heads and maybe do a gasket match on the intake? Should I get 351w heads and do the same? If so, which year? The guy I bought the engine from is saying I should buy a set of early '90's GT heads. Any modifications needed there? Then that leads to which pistons do I need? I want to end up with a CR of around 9.5:1.

Everytime I start figuring out what I want to do it sort of goes like this: "Well, if I do that I may as well do this, and if I spend that much, then I may as well go ahead and do this instead." Next thing you know, I'm building a 347 stroker for about $6K. That's not in the budget, so I end up where I started, building a pretty basic 289.

Thanks guys (and gals),
Mike

[mwillis]

To clarify what I have: it is a '65 model 289 engine that I plan on swapping into the '66 coupe. I'll just sit the '66 engine in the corner somewhere.
Thanks,
Mike

[rodbender]

If you use the old heads, I would recommend a "no-lead" conversion. They would perform pretty good for your application. Also they would accommodate your power accessories.

[Preacher17]

Picked up a set of 351W heads at the swap meet for $300 seen them as low as 2, watch for used aftermarket heads sometimes you can get them real reasonable, flat top slugs should get you the compression you want it will depend on the head you use but flattops should get you in the 9 range just pay attention to late model heads they have larger combustion chambers hence lower compression stay with early heads (pre 74) or aftermarket heads with smaller chambers