Listeners,
Why not upgrade to something that is period and unique. I am also believer
in keeping the Tiger as stock as possible. But I still wanted a little more
go than the 260 has. The Tiger is unique and I wanted something to
complement it. I was lucky to find a 5 bolt 289 HiPo. It was expensive but I
couldn't bring myself to throw a crate motor in. At first it looked like a
big deal. But now that I found out that you can have the Tiger flywheel
balanced with the bottom end everything else is a bolt on. Including your
STOCK transmission. As for the mustang myth and all the correctness, this
289 HiPo is out of a 65 Comet. 271 Hp stock and bulletproof. A nice fit with
a 66 MK1A. Sorry to ramble on but after staying quiet after all that 260 &
289 HiPo heads are the same crap I had to state an alternative view. Just my
02.
Regards,
ANT 66 MK1A
B382001859LRXFE
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-tigers@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-tigers@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Doug & Rett Leithauser
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2003 8:13 AM
To: gharlowe@comcast.net
Cc: Tiger List
Subject: Subject: 289/302 Conversions - My own biased opinion
Graham,
The 260 responds pretty well to normal tweaks such as cam replacement
(stock cam is VERY mild) , 4bbl carb & manifold & exhaust headers, and
cylinder head porting. If the engine is already disassembled for rebuilding,
some addditional compression is available through milling the cylinder heads
and decking the block. Do not overlook piston to valve clearance, it may be
necessary to cut valve reliefs in the pistons. It should not be difficult
to get 200-225 hp without major modification.
The toploader transmission is very strong & durable. Usually the ratios
are too close, but wide ratio gears are available, or are standard on late
model Tigers. With the 260 and toploader you have a car that is original &
period correct.
Of course, there is another side to the coin, AKA, the report from the
devils advocate.
You can purchase a good running 302 with 5 speed for less than it will cost
for a good rebuild of the original engine. Any decent 302 will put out more
power than most of the modified 260s, and if that is not enough, there are
all kinds of hot rod parts for the 302 that will get you up to 400 hp if
your wallet is big enough, while a 260 rarely sees 250 hp. You are looking
at modification ot the transmission tunnel, mount & driveshaft, but what the
heck, at this point one has already decided that modification is acceptable
in pursuit of power & driveability. The 5 speed gives more versitile ratios,
and of course, there is no substitute for cubic inches. Of course, you will
have to remove the engine to install that 5 speed, so why not do it all at
once?
So what will it be, an original powertrain, something that is getting
rare in the Tigers, or that hot rod 302/5 speed combination?
Personally, I feel you should keep it stock, or at least period correct,
but you are the one that has to live with the decision.
Happy Motoring
Doug Leithauser
Subject: 289/302 Conversions
The last post got me wondering how many folks installed 6-bolt 289s or 302s,
but kept their 5-bolt 4 speed. I'm close to pulling my 260 as part of the
resto teardown. I would rebuild it, but the devil has me thinking that if
the money's going to be spent, should it really be spent on a 140 hp 260?
>From the cyl head id discussion, it sounds like tweaks to the 260 are
limited other than going the F4B/4bbl and header route. Pls correct me if
I'm wrong.
I'm SURE this has been covered, but can the list describe some of the
challenges to a 289/302 conversion? Adapter plates are available (cost?
sources?)...but if you install the adapter plate, what else needs to be
modified? How rare are 5-bolt 289s?
Is that same devil going to be whispering, "Get a T5"?
Thanks for your thoughts...
- - Graham
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