[Tigers] good 289 for a rebuild?

[genepadgett at comcast.net]

Buck, 

I guess I would put the $700 package at the upper end of reasonable, given all that it includes. My frame of reference is the $400 or so I paid for the 9.5:1 (current day spec) Keith Black hypereuthetic (sp?) pistons alone for the 347 motor that is still on the verge of going in. 

It is good to know that there is even any source for pistons available today for a 260 rebuild. I am sure there some are among us that would like to keep their car as true to original as possible. My question was really more of an academic one on the heals of what Ron was saying. I had seriously considered such a rebuild myself before leapfrogging to the 347. Well, with a strong push from my 32 year old son :>). 

Thanks for posting that you have a source that can help with the 260. No doubt there will be some Listers contacting you for the contact info. 

Gene 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Buck Trippel" <BuckTrippel at Verizon.net> 
To: genepadgett at comcast.net, rfraser at bluefrog.com 
Cc: "Tom Pappenhagen" <pappentl at aol.com>, tigers at autox.team.net 
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2012 6:53:10 PM 
Subject: Re: [Tigers] good 289 for a rebuild? 

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