Thread: 289 buildup need HELP!!

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I own a 1965 Mercury Comet w/ a 289 and c-4. I am a diesel mechanic by tarde and don't have much experience with gas engine performance. I am getting ready to make it into a street rod. I want to pull as much H.P. (500-600+) out of the engine as humanly possible with the use of only 2 carbs and nothing sticking out of the hood. I do know my way around engines just not used to the gas side, so I plan on doing the work myself I just don’t know what parts to go after, heads, and other modifications to make to the engine. Does anyone have ideas? Any and all would be greatly appreicated.

You'll need quite a lot of boost from a blower or a couple of turbos and/or a good healthy shot of nitrous oxide to make that kind of power that will be useable on the street. You can't do it naturally aspirated. Also, get some help beefing up the C4, it won't take that abuse stock.

Check out this site for one of the wildest 65 Comets out there. Running a 331 stroker motor. It is a very well built project car.

http://www.chandlertechnologies.com/performance.php

Back in 1968 a gentlemen got into a car craft magazine because he pulled 500 horsepower out of a 289 with the use of one carb only. So I know it can be down with 2 carbs that and the newer technology today versus 1968.

Tech is right. A 300 hp shot will get you there. At least for one run.

Don

U cant trust them pre- 70s horse power quotes They were using some wierd hp calculations back then.motors that were suppose to be 3 or 4 hundred hp were in fact more and some of those 300 hp engines were alot less that what stated .........In fact didnt u have to actually pull against real horses back then ........

hey bryce 500 to 600 hp out of a 289 is big hp.
i think if you got 350 to 400 hp out of a 289 your doing great but what do i know my 289 probably has 150 hp

Originally Posted by bryce242

Back in 1968 a gentlemen got into a car craft magazine because he pulled 500 horsepower out of a 289 with the use of one carb only. So I know it can be down with 2 carbs that and the newer technology today versus 1968.

Swell. Go for it.

Originally Posted by canadianal

hey bryce 500 to 600 hp out of a 289 is big hp.
i think if you got 350 to 400 hp out of a 289 your doing great but what do i know my 289 probably has 150 hp

So are you saying I can get that kind of hp from two carbs?

You can do it, but like Tech said you'll have to run turbo's to make it streetable. If I can make a suggestion, Build a clevor engine or what we called them in the old days a mexican style boss. Use a set closed chamber cleveland heads. check out these sites.



http://www.mustangandfords.com/techarticles/30220/

http://www.darkhorseracing.net/clevor_head_mod.htm

Hope this helps you, Do it right and it will be one of the best runing engines you'll ever have.

~ Vegas ~

vara4
Those are some interesting sites. I am not into Fords nothing against them just grew up on Chevys. Its always interesting to leard about the other guy.
Thanks Charlie

I just finished building a 600 HP 351 Cleveland/Boss.
These are only good to about 7500 RPM's because the cleveland blocks like to carck after that. But a 289 or 302 can really wind up with out cracking the block. I say over 9000 RPM's if you use good rods and balance it.


~ Vegas ~

I have a 65 comet cyclone and I got a lot out of my 289 i was in the 11 with mine 289 all racing inside, got 5 miles to the gallon, wow

go single carb, 331 stroker kit all forged internals, AFR 165-185 heads, decent sized roller cam designed for a blower, and stick a 9 PSI paxton blower, and make sure to use an intake manifold that matches your cam..... you'll be looking to hit maybe the 500hp range.... its not gonna be cheap either