Fred of AZ

Zeke:

I remember reading an article way back when about doing the same
swap...351W heads on a 289. I even have a set of '69 Windsor heads
still sitting in my shed that I picked up for $50 at a Ecology Auto in
Southern Calif. The heads still look practically brand new, and I
bet I pulled 'em back in '92 or even earlier. However, the extra
large combustion chambers kind of threw me for a loop - either milling
the heads and intake to get everything down to size, or putting
another set of pistons to raise the compression ratio back up to
something more respectable seemed like more work than necessary.

I know about those solid lifter cams and the need for constant
adjustment - I went through that for awhile, too. Also have a Torker
manifold collecting dust next to the 351W heads - someday I might put
it all to use.

Thanks for the info!

Fred of AZ

On 15 Feb 2006 17:12:42 GMT, Zeke-baby
<zekebaby@this.address.is.invalid> wrote:

>I built my engine back in 1980, so my recommendations may seem a
>little dated by today's standards. YMMV
>
>I run a solid lifter cam from a 289/271 "K" engine, swapped out
>the 289 heads for a set of 351W heads (vintage 1970), and used
>an el-cheapo Holley 600 atop an Edelbrock Torker manifold. The
>car is a '65 Fastback with a 289, 3.50 gears and a Top Loader.
>
>There are probably plenty of more modern upgrades that would run
>better than what I have. That said, my combination gives me the
>"happiest" car I've ever driven, and I won't change a thing. Not
>much torque below 2000 RPM due to the single plane manifold,
>but it runs like a bat out of hell above 2000. It *is* a pain
>to adjust the valves every few thousand miles due to the solid
>lifters though.
>
>Cheers!
>
> zëkë