Topic: Parts interchange between 302 and 289?

[gatespacker]

Got a 67 coupe that I am restomoding.  Have the orig 289 that is in poor shape, and a 1984 302 that is freshly rebuilt.  289 would have more power than the 302; can I put the heads from the 289 on the 302 and use same intake manifold?  Is power diff primarily the heads and valves, or are there other things that would make rebuilding the 289 a better choice?  302 has new Edlebrock performer manifold and cam, and bored .3 over.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.  Got a nice engine on the stand, and one needing rebuild in the car; trying to save time and money, but not sure if it is the right way to go about it...

[Thierry]

 Keeping the original engine in your car will add more value to it but if you are planing to do a restomod, I guess this point doesn't really matter.
 The 289 had more power than a 302 from 1984 but with all the aftermarket performance parts available for 5.0L engines, you can certainly get much more power than a 289.
 I am not very technical and can't tell you more about modifications but I don't think the heads of your 289 will fit on the 302.

[Soaring]

Keeping the original engine in your car will add more value to it but if you are planing to do a restomod, I guess this point doesn't really matter.
 The 289 had more power than a 302 from 1984 but with all the aftermarket performance parts available for 5.0L engines, you can certainly get much more power than a 289.
 I am not very technical and can't tell you more about modifications but I don't think the heads of your 289 will fit on the 302.

Yes boss, they share the same block, heads and everything but the rods.  The 302 has a slightly longer rod, so that is why the 289 winds up faster.  The 289 didn't have more power as in Horsepower, it just wound up faster.  If the poster wants to remain period correct, then select the period correct engine.  If it doesn't matter, then there are about a zillion 302's in the junk yards, but very few 289's, because the 289 was only put in Ford cars from August of 1964 until the Autumn of 1968.  Here is some more info to add to this topic.

I have set several 289 and 302 blocks side by side and measured the cylinder length. The difference in cylinder length is irrelavent because the factory puts a chamfer on the lower end that varies as much as .070 in depth from block to block. A deeply chamfered 302 block is as short as a 289 block. Boring the cylinders reduces the chamfer. .060 over usually eliminates it completely.
 347 strokers are running in 289 5 and 6 bolt blocks without problems. 331 would be better (actually I prefer 331 over 347 anyway)
 Shorter cylinders will require LESS grinding for stroker clearance.
 There were NO assembly line 4 bolt main 289 or 302 blocks. HIPO blocks had heavier cast main caps. Even light cast 5.0 blocks take 500 hp before blowing the bottom end out.
 1968 (only) 289/302 blocks were identical castings.

[Bossnutt]

Luckily we have a book "High Performance Ford Engine Parts Interchange" according to it the only parts from a 302 that are NOT interchangable with the 289 are the pistons, rods, and crank.  From what I'm reading you'll have to change the valve seals from "leaded" valve seals to "unleaded" valve seals.  Just so you'll know you can pick this book up at any Barnes & Noble book store.  That's where we got ours.

[texstang67]

all parts will interchange between the 2,except that crank,rods,pistons have to be either all 289 or all 302 due to slightly longer stroke of 302.

[Bossnutt]

all parts will interchange between the 2,except that crank,rods,pistons have to be either all 289 or all 302 due to slightly longer stroke of 302.

I believe I just said that.  Or is it not possible for me to be right because I'm female??

[Soaring]

Luckily we have a book "High Performance Ford Engine Parts Interchange" according to it the only parts from a 302 that are NOT interchangable with the 289 are the pistons, rods, and crank.  From what I'm reading you'll have to change the valve seals from "leaded" valve seals to "unleaded" valve seals.  Just so you'll know you can pick this book up at any Barnes & Noble book store.  That's where we got ours.

I guess there are several books out there regarding what parts will interchange, but I found this one to be helpful to me.

[Don A]

I would pull the 289 and save it until and if it is needed to add extra value to the car--I would put the 302-in the vehicle changing only those item you need to do to make the job easier--The 289 hease may increase thecompression by a small margin--Remember that there is only 13 inches difference between the 2 engines--However the 302 is a better head with a better valve configuration--Not worth the effort--ENJOY

[Bossnutt]

Luckily we have a book "High Performance Ford Engine Parts Interchange" according to it the only parts from a 302 that are NOT interchangable with the 289 are the pistons, rods, and crank.  From what I'm reading you'll have to change the valve seals from "leaded" valve seals to "unleaded" valve seals.  Just so you'll know you can pick this book up at any Barnes & Noble book store.  That's where we got ours.

I guess there are several books out there regarding what parts will interchange, but I found this one to be helpful to me.

That the exact same book I was talking about.  LOL  That's the one we have.

[Soaring]

Luckily we have a book "High Performance Ford Engine Parts Interchange" according to it the only parts from a 302 that are NOT interchangable with the 289 are the pistons, rods, and crank.  From what I'm reading you'll have to change the valve seals from "leaded" valve seals to "unleaded" valve seals.  Just so you'll know you can pick this book up at any Barnes & Noble book store.  That's where we got ours.

I guess there are several books out there regarding what parts will interchange, but I found this one to be helpful to me.

That the exact same book I was talking about.  LOL  That's the one we have.

I guess we are on the same page of music.  Yeah, that one gives you all the information you need to make the swap. 

[xnutt]

one big difference betweent the 289 and 302 is the 289 had a piston rattle in the higher rpms.
ford fixed the problem by makeing the stroke longer to eliminate the problem.


the other thing is i would use the 289 heads instread of the 84's ( if the 84 has the stock heads )
 heads . 289 will have smaller combustion chambers which will bring the compression up and will flow alot better than the 84's .



o i'm brad bossnutt's better (worse half )

[Soaring]

standard 302 rod-5.090"
Boss 302 rod-5.155"
standard 289 rod-5.155

that being said, you could use 289 rods in a 302, use 4v cleveland heads (modified for use on a windsor block) and have a boss 302, for the most part. It still wouldn't have the 4-bolt mains and beefier main caps...but for cheapskates like me, it's the closest we'll ever get to owning a true boss 302. Good luck
   

[Thierry]

o i'm brad bossnutt's better (worse half )

Welcome to the site Xnutt. We heared a lot about you, glad you joined us