Hi Graham. I bought a five bolt 289 on e-bay for my restoration for $350.
It had been dipped, painted and overbored 30. Upon disassembly of my ragged
out car, I discovered the motor had been changed to a six bolt 289 by a
previous owner. The tunnel had a large hole on the right side where the
clutch had exploded sometime in the past. The bell housing had been changed
to steel and fit to the six bolt block and toploader. There is no identifier
on the bell housing but, I understand it is a common though expensive part
available from the Mustang supply houses. I have since resold the block to
another tiger owner that is contemplating a remanufacture of his car. Robin
----- Original Message -----
From: <gharlowe@comcast.net>
To: "Tiger List" <tigers@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2003 8:00 PM
Subject: 289/302 Conversions
> The last post got me wondering how many folks installed 6-bolt 289s or
302s, but kept their 5-bolt 4 speed. I'm close to pulling my 260 as part
of the resto teardown. I would rebuild it, but the devil has me thinking
that if the money's going to be spent, should it really be spent on a 140 hp
260? From the cyl head id discussion, it sounds like tweaks to the 260 are
limited other than going the F4B/4bbl and header route. Pls correct me if
I'm wrong.
>
> I'm SURE this has been covered, but can the list describe some of the
challenges to a 289/302 conversion? Adapter plates are available (cost?
sources?)...but if you install the adapter plate, what else needs to be
modified? How rare are 5-bolt 289s?
>
> Is that same devil going to be whispering, "Get a T5"?
>
> Thanks for your thoughts...
>
> - Graham
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