Engine rebuidl

[George J]

I've decided to get my original 289 Hi-Po engine out of my '66 GT-350 rebuilt that has been in the corner of my garage for some 15 years rebuilt. I've been asking all my car friends on how little or how far I should go on the rebuild, refresh to Stroker? So after the smoke cleared I'm going to stay with original as possible with some minor internal upgrades. Port & polish heads, roller rockers &  hydraulic  followers, forged pistons & balanced. I don't plan on tacking the car so I don't need a lot of HP. Any one have some other recommendations?  I'm thinking of Keith from Precision Machine do the work.
George J

[OldGuy]

If it were mine, I would forget the port and polish and hydraulic camshaft. You can EASILY de value your engine by porting it. NOTHING sounds better than a solid lifter hipo. I don't consider a hydraulic camshaft an upgrade-especially to a hipo. It ain't a hipo unless it sounds like a hipo.

[greekz]

If it were mine, I would forget the port and polish and hydraulic camshaft. You can EASILY de value your engine by porting it. NOTHING sounds better than a solid lifter hipo. I don't consider a hydraulic camshaft an upgrade-especially to a hipo. It ain't a hipo unless it sounds like a hipo.

Amen to that.  When I drive up to my weekly gathering of hot rodders, they always remark on the unique sound of my solid lifter engine.  Nothing sounds like a hipo!

[98SVT - was 06GT]

If it was rebuilt and sitting in a corner for 15 years it should be fine. I'd even consider not even dropping the pan if it's got less than 10,000 miles on it. GO AS STOCK AS POSSIBLE. You don't need to reinvent the wheel.
If you stick with a flat tappet cam (Solid or Hyd) plan on using oil with zinc or get zinc additive.

[JD]

If it were mine, I would forget the port and polish and hydraulic camshaft. You can EASILY de value your engine by porting it. NOTHING sounds better than a solid lifter hipo. I don't consider a hydraulic camshaft an upgrade-especially to a hipo. It ain't a hipo unless it sounds like a hipo.

Amen to that.  When I drive up to my weekly gathering of hot rodders, they always remark on the unique sound of my solid lifter engine.  Nothing sounds like a hipo!

+1

[Bob Gaines]

+2

[GT350Lad]

+3

[pbf777]

. You can EASILY de value your engine by porting it.

    I suppose if your referring to the possibility of "holing-thru" the casting, I can understand your perspective; otherwise if the porting work is executed properly, even if done conservatively so as to reduce the likelihood of failure, I really feel that this can be of a significant value enhancement for those whom really want to drive and enjoy their car in a spirited manor. 

I don't consider a hydraulic camshaft an upgrade-especially to a hipo. It ain't a hipo unless it sounds like a hipo. 

    Now here, I just can't disagree.  After all, having the "Hi-Po" and not having the "clickety-clack" sound from the valve-train just doesn't seem right, something would be missing. 

    Scott. 

[OldGuy]

. You can EASILY de value your engine by porting it.

    I suppose if your referring to the possibility of "holing-thru" the casting, I can understand your perspective; otherwise if the porting work is executed properly, even if done conservatively so as to reduce the likelihood of failure, I really feel that this can be of a significant value enhancement for those whom really want to drive and enjoy their car in a spirited manor. 


In the Used Parts World, stock (non-ported) heads are more desirable for the perspective buyer than the ported units. So many heads have been ruined by amateur porting and it is difficult to determine a performance-enhancing port job versus potential junk by looking at them.

I think that a better option would be to purchase a set of performance heads. Generally speaking, these heads will out perform posed originals. 

[JohnSlack]

. You can EASILY de value your engine by porting it.

    I suppose if your referring to the possibility of "holing-thru" the casting, I can understand your perspective; otherwise if the porting work is executed properly, even if done conservatively so as to reduce the likelihood of failure, I really feel that this can be of a significant value enhancement for those whom really want to drive and enjoy their car in a spirited manor. 

I don't consider a hydraulic camshaft an upgrade-especially to a hipo. It ain't a hipo unless it sounds like a hipo. 

    Now here, I just can't disagree.  After all, having the "Hi-Po" and not having the "clickety-clack" sound from the valve-train just doesn't seem right, something would be missing. 

    Scott.

plus one on both points.

[6s1640]

+4

Keep it stock with a solid lifter.  Go crazy or in between on another engine.

Best of luck.

Cory

[pbf777]

In the Used Parts World, stock (non-ported) heads are more desirable for the perspective buyer than the ported units. So many heads have been ruined by amateur porting and it is difficult to determine a performance-enhancing port job versus potential junk by looking at them.

    No argument here!   

    Heck, I just finished up fixing (sort of) a set of Cobra Jet (429/460) aluminum castings suffering from a "ya-hoo" porting execution; but hey, the customer got 'em for cheap.............I wonder why! 

    But the O.P.'s statement was that he was doing this for his personal use, as for a running and functioning vehicle, so once bolted down where's the visual issue?    And for any performance applications the stock 289 head ports really are just too small/restrictive and even just a little improvement goes a long way on this one. 

    Just try to avoid turning your nice Hi-Po heads over to some of the back-yard or youtube equivalent experts.

    Scott.   

[George J]

Well guys, I appreciate all the advice. A lot to thinks about. I've neglected to mention that I've own my GTH 350 for 47 years now and it's a driver. With all due respect I can appreciate originality but at 77 (today, 19th) I'm not into adjusting valves any more  just to hear the "clitter-clatter of the valves. I would like to do some head work to make it "breath" better, but there's only so much you can do with cast iron heads and keep it looking original (I do want to keep them on). This car is not original-original. When I got it was flat black with no strips, with a 4-speed (number would indicate (2304) it had an automatic its has a 5 speed in it now.) I had already purchased blue & white paint. While stripping the body I did find gold under the bumper. So, I drove it for many years that way until I got rear ended (very, very minor) but it was time for new pain anyway. I always liked the Green/gold combo, so that's what it is today. If you're ever down here in Monterey you'll see it driving around town; it's no fun parked in the garage. George PS; thanks again for your input.

 

[Bob Gaines]

Well guys, I appreciate all the advice. A lot to thinks about. I've neglected to mention that I've own my GTH 350 for 47 years now and it's a driver. With all due respect I can appreciate originality but at 77 (today, 19th) I'm not into adjusting valves any more  just to hear the "clitter-clatter of the valves. I would like to do some head work to make it "breath" better, but there's only so much you can do with cast iron heads and keep it looking original (I do want to keep them on). This car is not original-original. When I got it was flat black with no strips, with a 4-speed (number would indicate (2304) it had an automatic its has a 5 speed in it now.) I had already purchased blue & white paint. While stripping the body I did find gold under the bumper. So, I drove it for many years that way until I got rear ended (very, very minor) but it was time for new pain anyway. I always liked the Green/gold combo, so that's what it is today. If you're ever down here in Monterey you'll see it driving around town; it's no fun parked in the garage. George PS; thanks again for your input.

 

Maybe we will see it next year during the Historics before the SAAC convention 

[Royce Peterson]

+4

Keep it stock with a solid lifter.  Go crazy or in between on another engine.

Best of luck.

Cory

Agreed.