[Zubia66]

Hello everyone,
This is my first post to the site and I'm the proud new owner of 66 Mustang with a 289, C4. This being my first classic I am a complete novice when it comes to the engine bay. Don't get me wrong, I know my basics and I have done minor upgrades like disc brakes and electric fan on my own. I know my way around the engine bay but I get lost fast when it comes the the specs and what not. So here is where I'm at, like most Im interested in pulling a bit more power out of my 289. When I purchased the vehicle I was told that the engine was rebuilt roughly 6 years ago with very close to stock parts. As far as I can tell the bottom end is solid with a respectable amount of oil pressure (32 idle 54 under load). So my question here is on the "top end kits" that I see being offered. Specifically the edelbrock 2027. My ultimate goal to make this my daily driver with adequate amount of power but really nothing over the top. I'm not interested in taking her out to strip but more out to the beach (75miles away). The attractive thing about this kit is the price, power band of idle-5500 and that the kit is a no guess work application (matched parts). I'm really looking for some real world experience with this kit and what the feed back would be for it. Also open to any suggestions. Thanks in Advance. -Zubia

 

[Grimbrand]

Nice job with the brakes and fan, Zubia! If you can follow the instructions and get your brakes right, I think you can handle a set of heads and intake. Edelbrock's sets generally give you just about what you'd expect. They are not for a full-tilt racer, but being mass-produced, the cost is not astronomical, and they work well together, especially for a fun street car. You didn't mention whether your car came with a 2v or 4v carb originally though. If it's a factory 4-barrel, your original intake is going to be roughly equivalent to the Performer 289 intake of theirs, so you might be able to save that money.

Don't forget your ignition system, while you are doing all this work anyway. Make sure the plug wires don't show cracks when you bend one around your finger, and check your points and distributor cap and bug. Increased cylinder pressures mean the ignition has to work a bit harder, so you want to be sure you've got the spark to show off what your new parts can do.

Lastly, if you have the old cast-iron log manifolds on your engine, you should really think about upgrading your exhaust. Going from stock to a good tri-y setup will free up a LOT of extra power, and would match your engine's powerband and performance characteristics. The only catch is that you'll have to modify the rest of your exhaust to fit - a competent muffler shop can do that easily.

Anyway - good luck Zubia!

 

[Zubia66]

Thanks for the quick reply Grim. So a few things I left out in the original post. It is an original 4v. Currently I have an edelbrock 500cfm with electric choke. Newer distributor with vac adv. power steering is already in and the AC kit is ready to go in when I'm done with everything. the exhaust is 1.5 tri-y to 2.25 duals. Along with the kit I would be looking to change all plugs and wires, water pump, thermostat, hoses, and timing cover.

 

[Grimbrand]

Sounds like that should be a pretty sweet setup when you're done, Zubia! I would not be surprised if your economy even goes up a bit - if you can only keep your foot out of it.

Oh, and about that intake - the Performer 289 is not much better in performance than the stock Ford manifold probably, but it IS a lot lighter, since it's aluminum. Whether it's worth what they're charging is up to you. Either way, you'd be set. You could even sell your old manifold and maybe get $75 out of it, if it's in good shape.

 

[silver69]

Hello Zubia66, congrats on your new (classic) Mustang!
I wanted to offer my input in the most humble way so take what I propose with a grain of salt. There is no doubt the edelbrock folks know their business however I suggest you use a roller camshaft since you are putting a new one in anyway.
This can be done a number of ways and CAN offer quite a few hidden benefits one being less parasitic power loss because the lifter bottoms are rollers. the cams are reusable, zinc free oil(almost all we have now) will not harm the cam/lifters (your wallet mostly) less engine heat, more aggressive profiles with a good idle and so on. Id advise you to either call edelbrock and have your kit so equipped that way or just buy the parts individually, or call comp cams for a comparable roller cam for the one in the edelbrock kit, or get a 5.0 ho roller cam from the junkyard which you can pull your self at a pull a part type place(this is great practice and if you do something wrong it wont cost you a cent and its a great place/way to learn).

The break in process is a little involved with a flat tappet cam some requiring a valve spring change to "break in Springs" and then install final run springs. Follow and video it if you use a flat tappet cam, if it wipes a lobe or two you will need documentation for warranty parts but know this, they will not pay for labor or collateral damage like ground up steel in your main and rod bearings.

I by no means am trying to scare or intimidate you or your choices so please understand that, Im trying to arm you with more knowledge and empower you to make the best choices for your needs.

Do some of your own research, ask some more questions, find out exactly what is required or not, buy a quality torque wrench(and always set it back to 0 when you are done using it) and follow specs for your parts not the 50 year old spec unless you are working below the heads as aluminum is different and requires its own torque values be used, ARP bolts/fasteners have their own, some head bolts require thread sealant in water passages, one head gasket WILL be flipped face down so the word FRONT is positioned at the front of the engine..... some heads require you drill out a small hole in the cylinder block or even the gasket. download the edelbrock kit instructions and thoroughly read and understand it before proceeding.
Hope this helps you.