[Tigers] good 289 for a rebuild?

[Buck Trippel]

Gene,

Is around $700 "expensive" for custom pistons for a 260, any bore, any CR & 
any ring package (includes floating pins & locks)? If you're interested I 
can put you in touch with the manufacturer. BTW, there is a big difference. 
between the "advertized CR" used in the sixties and the real numbers that 
custom piston manufactures use now.

bt

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <genepadgett at comcast.net>
To: <rfraser at bluefrog.com>
Cc: "Tom Pappenhagen" <pappentl at aol.com>; <tigers at autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2012 3:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Tigers] good 289 for a rebuild?


> Ron,
>
> Back several years ago I was considering rebuilding my 260. I was having 
> problems finding oversized pistons, especially any at a reasonable price 
> to go with a rebored block. Is there a good source for them? What about 
> with a higher compression ratio piston? I seem to recall I would have had 
> to have Janes custom make something for me. And they would have been 
> expensive. Compared at least to what I could get readily available for a 
> 289. It just seemed that rebuilding a 289, especially warming it up a bit, 
> would be more cost effective that doing the same thing with a 260 and 
> produce more bang for the buck in the process. I readily admit it was many 
> years ago that I was looking at this.
>
> Would you mind sharing the details on what would constitute a higher HP 
> 260 that was never rated by Ford? I see valve sizes and a 164 HP rating in 
> the shop manual. Would the higher powered 260 you mentioned have the same 
> size exhaust valve as the 289 size in the manual? The manual says the 
> intakes for the 260 and 289 are the same.
>
> Thanks ,
>
> Gene
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ron Fraser" <rfraser at bluefrog.com>
> To: "Tom Pappenhagen " <pappentl at aol.com>, tigers at autox.team.net
> Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2012 3:49:06 PM
> Subject: Re: [Tigers] good 289 for a rebuild?
>
> Tom
> It is always best to have the Block casting number which is above
> the starter. The second set of numbers there is the date code also good
> information. The block casting number will tell you immediately what
> block you have and what year it is.
>
> I'm conducting a Original Tiger Engine Study with respect to the
> Ford casting numbers and date codes. I will gladly help you with any those
> number to determine exactly what you have for an engine.
>
> Personally I see no reason not to rebuild the 260 block unless it is
> totally shot. I know many people look at the 164 HP spec for the 260 and
> immediately want to upgrade to the 289. The 164HP rating only applies to
> the early 260 with small intake valves. The later 260 with larger intake
> valves was never rated by Ford but I'm sure it is in the 185 HP realm. 
> Also
> Alex Gabbard build up a 260 with a stroker kit and a bunch of other 
> goodies
> resulting in around 350 HP, not bad for a 260.
>
> Yes the 289 could make a good rebuild. If the intake manifold is
> set up for a road draft tube you will need to buy a plate with a threaded
> hole for the brake booster vacuum for that location. If your not going to
> use the stock intake manifold then never mind that. All the parts from the
> 260 should bold right up to the 5 bolt 289.
>
> Ron Fraser