Rebuild 289 or purchase crate engine 302

[Jaybear888]

I found a local machine shop can rebuild my 289 for about $3500 to stock with a mild cam or purchase a crate 302 engine from ford for around $3800 plus water pump , carb and intake as well as distributor. I am mainly using this car for weekend crusing . With an estimate of the total cost of the crate engine 302 about $5800 . To rebiuld the 289 ,that is the cost for everything included water pump as well as the intake and carb 4 barrels and a new distributor . I do not know a lot about engine . Can anyone gives advises of which way should I should go. Thanks a miles.........

[CharlesTurner]

For a weekend cruiser, I would recommend rebuilding the original 289. A crate 302 isn't going to give you big enough performance gains to be worth it for what you're using the car for.

If your car is relatively stock, keeping the original motor will retain more intrinsic value, as well as more $$ value down the road if you decide to sell.

[Doug Gompertz]

But, here is another thought . . . I rebuilt the 289 engine (had it done) in my 67.

Why? One day, about a year after I had it rebuilt, while driving home from an MCA show in Lacey Washington, there was a loud noise and everything came to a halt. Seems like we sucked a valve which scored #7 cylinder. Of course, it was out of warranty and I was a long, long way from the jmechanic who rebuilt it.

What to do? Could not find a 289 block in southern Oregon, so had the Ford dealership (where I had it towed to) order up a crate 289. Now, most people, looking at the finished product, would never know that it was not a 289. The car, with the 302 ran well, didn't use oil, gave me better gas mileage, and I never had another worry about reliability.

Biggest benefit . . . I had a 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty from Ford, good at any Ford dealer, on that engine. Well worth the price of deception.

Just another thought for you to consider.

[Jaybear888]

Thank you very much for your info. I would stay with the 289 cause i have another 289 sitting in my garage, once again thanks....