MWood24020@aol.com wrote:
> Tim-
> ..... Much of the information is still valid, but there are some glaring
> errors, pariticularly in reference to the 260/289 commonality... I think he
> makes a reference to freeze plug count being "key" in determining whether or
> not a 260 can "safely" be taken out to 289, which is just wrong.
> Other than that, it is a cool, 1960's read!
> Mike
Mike,
While I really agree with your assessment on the value of Gordon's book, I do
think some clarification is in order.
I've heard that story about the 289 bore claim, and read and re-read Gordon's
comment on the subject. I'd like to clarify what he DID say, and what I believe
he means.
On page 19 he talks some about the Ford 289 thin Hi-Po head gasket, and that
"according to Ford, you can't use the 289 (thin) gasket on the 260 cylinder
block". He takes issue with this, as there were two different 260 engines, the
later ones using the 289 casting parts that allow the thin gasket to be used.
This is the "three freeze plug" identification for the block "type" that can
use
the thin gasket.
While he does say "..most Tigers are coming thru with what are actually 289
block
only bored to 260's 3.80 bore!", which is a true statement, what he left out of
this statement was that the inner core was different, and the wall thickness,
while greater than a 289, has not the outside diameter as a 289, for a 4.00
bore.
This IS clarified in the very next paragraph, although I believe his use of a
"rhetorical question" form may confuse many.
He says:
" A minute for some
thinking
here. Say you do have the 289
block; that means you COULD (he used bold letters) bore it out to 4.00" and have
yourself
a 289 with the correct set of pistons. Once again, you CAN'T bore
out the 260 block to the 4.00" required on the 289." (capital letters mine, for
emphasis)
Now, I do believe that a quick reading of that poorly composed paragraph may
lead
one to presume the opposite, and I can't find any previous reference to the
subject to understand the "AGAIN" statement, the CAN't is pretty clear!
Just trying to put to bed an often repeated misreading of what Mr. Chittenden
really had to say on this subject.
I consider his book very worthwhile, and quite appropriate to keeping the
vehicle
in the era, yet still achieving high performance.
Steve
--
Steve Laifman < Find out what is most >
B9472289 < important in your life >
< and don't let it get away!>
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