QUESTION ON 289

[TONYT]

how can i tell if i have a 289 hi-po or just a regular 289

thanx in advance

[facemelter71]

Is it in the original car?
And I think the only difference was the 4 venturi intake and carb.

[1992MustangDW]

Hipo harmonic balancers are thicker than the standard 289/302 balancers. They look a lot like the new 5.0 balancers, and the regular 289/302 ones are only that thick about half way around.

If it were mine, I would pull off the valve covers and check the rocker studs. Regular 289/302's used press-in style studs, and I'm pretty sure hipo's used screw-in style.

While the covers are off, check for slack in the pushrods. 289/302's use hydraulic lifters, and all 16 pushrods should be snug. The hipo's used solid lifters ( mechanical ) and you would be able to notice the slack in the valve train, as they require a running clearance.

289 HiPo's had 2-bolt mains. But the caps are larger

Also, the valve springs have like a recess for them cast into the head for them to seat in. screw in studs, solid lifters, dual point dist.,

[1992MustangDW]

Info scraped from http://lists.twistedpair.ca/pipermai...ch/009799.html


BLOCKS
HiPo blocks are said to be cast of higher nodular iron. What I've been
told that this means is that Ford closely examined the blocks that they
cast in their regular process, and selected the best ones for HiPos
(perhaps some sort of visual/other test/check?). HiPo blocks can not
be positively identified by their casting numbers. At least some are
identified by an orange paint daub (don't remember the location).

BOTTOM END
- CRANKS not forged steel, but again of a higher nodular iron. As above,
this means that Ford selected the best of the ones they produced to be
included in HiPos blocks. Brinell tested for hardness. Additional
counter weight on the end
- HARMONIC BALANCER is larger (I believe almost 1" thick)
- MAIN BEARING CAPS were 2-bolt, but larger than std. 289. No distinguish-
ing part #s. Can be transfered to other blocks, but requires align boring
(expensive and probably not worth it).
- RODS were heavier duty; very similar to those used in the Boss 302 years
later. Larger bolts, 3/8" I believe (as opposed to 5/16" for std.)
- PISTONS were cast flat tops, yielding higher compression.

HEADS
- 289HP "cast in" heads between the lifter bores
- SCREW IN STUDS mounting rocker arms
- CAST IN SPRING SEATS
- ROCKERS: never switched to rail-type like std. 289; uses "close tolerance"
push rod holes.
- MECHANICAL LIFTERS, wilder camshaft (something like 310-degrees duration
and .45x" lift - intake & exhaust). Stiffer springs, etc.
- VALVES are the same size as other 289s (1.67" intakes B4 early 65; 1.78"
intakes there on).

INTAKE
- SAME CAST IRON INTAKE MANIFOLD as A-code 289.
- CARB: Autolite 4100, with 1.12" venturis, flowing ~600cfm.
Different from A-code 289 (1.08" venturis, flowing ~480cfm)
- OPEN ELEMENT 14" air cleaner, chromed top
- MANUAL CHOKE operated from inside the car

EXHAUST
- Unique to 289HiPo freer flowing cast iron exhaust manifolds
Very few had plumbing for heat riser to carb
- Used different H-pipe
- All had dual exhaust (65-66 style, Shelby style, or 67 style)

DISTRIBUTOR
- Dual Points - No vacuum advance

ALTERNATOR
- Larger pulley (~4"), higher rating

TRANSMISSION
- Manual only until '66 model year

SUSPENSION
- Springs, shocks had increased rates. Most (if not all) have a 9" rear

APPEARANCE
- Chrome plated steel or "Cobra" aluminum finned valve covers.
- Chrome Air Cleaner w/289 High Performance decal
- 65-66 289 High Performance Fender badges

[Stangman]

:rockon:

Killer find John :bigthumb

I'd love to find some Hi-po parts

[1992MustangDW]

let me see what I can do for you again. I know you really want these heads.

[Stangman]

let me see what I can do for you again. I know you really want these heads.

Thank you. That would be killer, like the icing on the cake for a real nice 289 short block I picked up a couple weeks back.

[TONYT]

man thats some killer info thanx,i'll get to checking all that out

[Stangman]

One thing you don't see very often since most 289 hi-po's are in mustangs, is that if it is in a Fairlane/Comet or a Galaxie, the engine is dressed up as black and gold. With the intake and block being black, and the valve covers and aircleaner being gold. Should still have the 289 High Performance sticker on the aircleaner though.

[Stangman]

Even my Dad's engine started out life that color, but of course, it's not anymore :D

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m135/stangman_77/my%20pics/0709082053a.jpg

[1992MustangDW]

That looks awesome Jesse

[bbfstanger]

easy way to tell a hipo from the outside is a small thin metal counterweight behind the balancer,the heads have cast-in springcups so you cant see the last coil of the spring.

[Stangman]

easy way to tell a hipo from the outside is a small thin metal counterweight behind the balancer,the heads have cast-in springcups so you cant see the last coil of the spring.

Ever priced those counterweights aftermaket? :lol: they are rediculous last time I checked