289 engine upgrade - 2v to 4v, and ?
 

Evening.

I am a new owner of a 1966 with 289 engine.

The engine is in great condition, has heathers and dual exhaust.

That being said, it has a 2V intake and carb.

My first project this spring is to upgrade to 4V carb to try and gain more HPs.

Am I on the right track? What else would you suggest to improve performance, new cam? I am not looking for a drag racer, just something fun to drive around. It has a fairly small radiator and engine fan, is that something I should upgrade too? Bigger with electric fan?

Thanks !
https://i37.servimg.com/u/f37/19/60/42/59/fullsi10.jpg

I've got no experience with the 289 but it seems to me you are on the right track. I'm sure heads, cam, intake, carb would wake it right up. If budget isn't a concern a new rad and electric fan is probably a good idea as well.

Engine looks good. I'm surprised its a 2 barrel...The standard play is edelbrock performer manifold with 4 barrel carb. If you are adventurous you can upgrade to the Edelbrock performer camshaft and make it a complete package.

Lots involved in camshaft swap including springs...lifters..etc.

You can upgrade yor coil to an Accell high output for a punchier spark.

Of course the quickest way around all this is to upgrade your rear gear to a 383...that would do the most damage.

But if I were you I would just upgrade the manifold and carb...unless your heads/valves..etc...are worn. :tup

Also...keep in mind the engine runs off the 2 barrel until just past the mid power curve then the back 2 barrels come in for mid to top RPM.

A lot of people put on a 4 barrel and wonder why the car isn't faster off the line.

In some ways the 2 barrel would be snappier for 0-60 feet, but thats where the 4 barrel comes in after that.

A punchier spark helps right across the power curve. (Upgraded ignition coil)

Thanks for the comments.

I will start with 4V this spring and take it from there. It has a small rad and engine fan I might want to swap that too. Obviously that would require a new alternator I guess lol

You can get a 5 blade fan and a modern radiator. They will run off the same tiny, thin fan belt. No new alternator required. Enjoy...

How much do you want to spend? :)

A clutch fan will help you by getting a few HP.

You are about to go down a very slippery path of spending money: roller cam, roller rockers, overdrive alternator pulley (Hipo and Boss), 347, rear gears. Then you need better brakes.

All said in fun but I have been down this road :)

Sorry, forgot to congratulated you on your new toy.

This is a fun and addictive hobby...enjoy

My 68 was a "C" code as well. My first change was new cam from Edelbrock, next was a stock cast iron 4 barrel intake manifold and 4100 carb, then came a set of Edelbrock aluminum heads and tri-y headers.
A 331 stroker now lives in the engine bay.
As stated earlier it can be a never ending progression of throwing money at it which may never end.

Thanks.

Only the heads and cam are not modified at this point I'm wondering if it's worth throwing more money in. I like my little 290 I think it will be enough.

The stock heads will work just fine, unless you are planning on going to the track you don't need to update your cam either. New intake and 4v carb will give you a nice strong cruiser. You don't need to upgrade the radiator / fan either, the car isn't going to be running any hotter for what you are doing to it. Hell if anything it will cool better.

If you plan on staying with the cast iron heads I would seriously consider having them upgraded, if you will be driving the car quite a bit.
Hardened valve seats and screw in rocker studs , might even need new valve guides.
For the difference in money I opted for aluminum heads rather than the above route.
Your mileage may vary.

Hi Jonathan!!

I also bought a 68 with the basic 190HP 289 and 2v carb a few years ago and like you I just wanted to have more fun with the engine on a budget. A new carburetor and intake is an easy fix and exactly what I started with. Just the difference in weight between the stock intake and a new aluminum one is worth it even if you dont get a single hp :P

Not sure how much HP are gained from these 2 upgrades though...as I found out my engine was ready to die when I opened it up for the swap and had to build a new one. :( Heads are expensive but make a big difference in HP. Modern aluminum ones will also be more suited for modern gasoline where cast iron one tend to wear out faster. I think Im around 340 HP now, and I stil havent had to change the stock 1" radiator. I drive on the streets only, no racing, I do push it from time to time but even on a hot day, it still doesnt overheat. This said, it WILL be my next purchase just to be on the safe side. :) Hope this helps. Im still a noob at this but happy to help when I can.

I had a 65 289 4 barrel with positraction. Learned the hard way that if you punched it hard you could get wheel hop and tear up the positraction. If you never punch it hard from stop you probably don't have to worry..
Bill