WHO IS BUILDING A 289 RIGHT NOW ?

289, FIA & Daytona topics
Post Reply
User avatar
kaiserbilly1
Posts: 1386
Joined: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:07 am
Location: Glasgow, Scotland

WHO IS BUILDING A 289 RIGHT NOW ?

Post by kaiserbilly1 »

As it says on the tin, "who is building a 289 right now"
Tell us your stories of skint fingers, problems, high points etc.
Plus when do you think you will you be on the road ?

regards

Bill :shock:
User avatar
clive
T289R Member
T289R Member
Posts: 3392
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:18 am
Location: Perth

Post by clive »

Do you ever finish building them?

Went out for a few miles this afternoon and spotted coolant leaking from the front of the engine. :shock: Looked like the thermostat housing probably because the thermostat hadn't opened and the pressure had forced it to leak. Anyway back home and spanners in hand tightened the bolts and all seems well so far. The housing was fitted with silicone gasket which I don't like as I feel it shrinks slightly with age and requires to be re-tightened after a wee while. Took the opportunity to check the hose clips and inlet manifold bolts for security too, it is surprising how they "bed in" and need to be re-tweeked.
Cheers, Clive.

(If I'm not here I'm in my workshop or on the golf course!)
User avatar
Roger King
Posts: 4396
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:29 pm
Location: St Ives, Cambs

Um...

Post by Roger King »

...if your thermostat is sticking I would strongly recommend changing it, not just tightening the housing bolts! Thou shalt surely blow a hose that way, and verily disappear in a cloud of steam, possibly with financial implications...

and to seal a thermostat housing, clean the surfaces, and use the correct joint with a thin smear of (e.g. Würth) silicone jointing compound on each side. Allow to 'skin off' for 10 minutes and assemble.

Roger
User avatar
clive
T289R Member
T289R Member
Posts: 3392
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:18 am
Location: Perth

Post by clive »

Hi Roger, I had only travelled a few miles and I think the 'stat hadn't opened because the engine hadn't reached temp yet. I was surprised however how much the bolts needed to be tightened. I think the vibration from the Ford V8 might have something to do with it as I ran a couple of spanners over the engine today and found the sump and rocker cover bolts needed tweeking too!
Cheers, Clive.

(If I'm not here I'm in my workshop or on the golf course!)
Hawk289
T289R Member
T289R Member
Posts: 162
Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:21 pm

Post by Hawk289 »

Yep,

Finishing an FIA Cobra, the car has a 289 HiPo with Toploader. Currently just working out the adapter plate for the gearbox mounting, it is a bit foreward compared to the T5.

Wiring, is always a problem, 3rd hawk, 3rd different problem!!. Anyway, nearly completed. Want to get done by Summer, oops which year :lol:

John.
User avatar
Roger King
Posts: 4396
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:29 pm
Location: St Ives, Cambs

Post by Roger King »

The T5 or Tremec trans mount sits about ¾" further back than a toploader. Bit of welding and a file should do it OK. Interesting choice - why the toploader? 5 or 6 bolt bellhousing - and will a decent clutch fit?

Roger
Hawk289
T289R Member
T289R Member
Posts: 162
Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:21 pm

Post by Hawk289 »

Roger,

Just wanted something different, had enough of explaining to MOT inspectors that the reverse is in a different location. The engine is a 6 bolt 1965, having a RUG-H toploader.

Roger, question. I have a standard engine mount for my toploader. This means I have about 6 inchs between T5 mounting position and gearbox (Need the extra space to get over the centre chassis member). I'm currently going to build an adapter plate.

John.
User avatar
Roger King
Posts: 4396
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:29 pm
Location: St Ives, Cambs

Post by Roger King »

I don't think I understand the description properly, John -
hawk289 wrote:I have a standard engine mount for my toploader.
OK, so the engine is in the correct position fore and aft, I'd guess - but not sure what you mean by 'standard' - standard for which car? Fairlane, Mustang, Falcon, Cougar - or Hawk? My Hawk uses the same insulator as the Mustang - two ears drop down either side of the chassis mount, long bolt goes through the lot.
hawk289 wrote:This means I have about 6 inchs between T5 mounting position and gearbox (Need the extra space to get over the centre chassis member). I'm currently going to build an adapter plate.
Do you mean 6" vertically, or horizontally? And if vertically, as I suspect, has this affected the angle of your output shaft to prop shaft - 'cos you really don't want to do that!?
I guess it depends on the toploader casing. If all angles are the same, then a fabricated mounting plate shouldn't be a problem.
Although - I would have to say I could never live without the 0.63 overdriven 5th of the T5, either in the Cobra or the Mustang (which originally had a 3-spd toploader). And the Mustang specialists sell an exact repro gearknob for the T5 with the gear pattern on it - swap them over at MOT time!

Roger
Hawk289
T289R Member
T289R Member
Posts: 162
Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:21 pm

Post by Hawk289 »

Roger,

Ops, standard mustang gearbox mount not engine. :oops: , also even the best T5 WC would struggle under pressure over 270BHP in my view. I have seen a few T5 WC go bang. Most hot rodders do not use T5 gearbox [unless it is a T56] which costs a small fortune.

John.
User avatar
Roger King
Posts: 4396
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:29 pm
Location: St Ives, Cambs

Post by Roger King »

hawk289 wrote:Roger,

Ops, standard mustang gearbox mount not engine. :oops: , also even the best T5 WC would struggle under pressure over 270BHP in my view. I have seen a few T5 WC go bang. Most hot rodders do not use T5 gearbox [unless it is a T56] which costs a small fortune.

John.
Well, I'm running a T5 in my 430bhp, 450 ftlbs 392 stroker Mustang, and it seems to manage. This is an aftermarket FRPP unit of late 90s design, badged as a Tremec. I suspect a used unit from an 80s Fox-body (or whatever) might do as you suggest.
And an original toploader in restored condition costs a lot more than a Tremec, even a TK600!

Roger
Post Reply