Got my v8 block, now some questions

ok well i purchased the block that i'm gonna put into my falcon after I rebuild it this semester in school, its a 65 289. Now correct me if i'm wrong (and god i'm praying i'm not) but the ones that had the earlier "small" bell housing were stopped mid 64 right? So mine should have the standard pattern.

Apart from that i am gonna need to buy at least one new main cap, but since one broke i kinda want to replace them all. What reccomendations are there for ones that will be used on a street motor (shooting for at least 250rwhp) that will see a little time on the track, but shouldn't be revved past 6000rpms? can main caps from a 302 be used (IE are they the same?) i ask because miledon only has listings for 302s so i was just wondering.

Also do 302 heads have bigger ports then 289 heads, i ask just because i have a set of 302 heads already machined with 351 valves (i needed new valves for them, so i went bigger) and was just wondering which had bigger overall ports.

finally would a 65 flywheel be the same as a 66? i ask this because a few sites i've seen only have listings for 66-73 289\302. I plan on running either a 4 speed toploader, or a TKO500 (maybe 600) just depending on if i can find a toploader for a good deal used or not, cause new the cost is almost the same considering i'd get an overdrive gear.

in terms of intake i was planning on running
edelbrock performer rpm intake
650cfm 4 barrel carb (thinking either holley or edelbrock0
still deciding on cam looking for something in the area of about .550 lift, but that will give decent off idle qualities (engine won't almost stall unless i'm flooring it) but really pick up on the top reccomendations are definetly welcome as i don't know much about cams.
Proper valve springs according to cam\rpm needs
long tube headers (i like hookers, but i read good things about hedmans)

thats all i can think of right now. Realistically the power requirements aren't as big a deal to me as how fast it is, i'd like to be able to run at least low 15s. Oh and this will all be in a 65 ford falcon, that will have either an 8 or nine inch, with probably a 3.20 or 3.50 rear gear tops.

Originally Posted by rommaster2

ok well i purchased the block that i'm gonna put into my falcon after I rebuild it this semester in school, its a 65 289. Now correct me if i'm wrong (and god i'm praying i'm not) but the ones that had the earlier "small" bell housing were stopped mid 64 right? So mine should have the standard pattern.

Not sure about the bellhousing being smaller but with such an early block you run the risk of a rare 5 bolt pattern over the common as dirt 6 bolt.
Then with the 6 bolt you have the 164 (bigger bell)or the 156 tooth (average size) flywheel. The only "small" bellhousing was the also rare 144 flywheel and small bell from the V8 Mustang II.

Originally Posted by rommaster2

Apart from that i am gonna need to buy at least one new main cap, but since one broke i kinda want to replace them all. What reccomendations are there for ones that will be used on a street motor (shooting for at least 250rwhp) that will see a little time on the track, but shouldn't be revved past 6000rpms? can main caps from a 302 be used (IE are they the same?) i ask because miledon only has listings for 302s so i was just wondering.

Yes you can use any 302 cap, BUT sorry but it sounds like that its time to start over with a new block that needs just an .02 or .03 overbore. If you replace the caps at all then you need to have the block "line-bored". That costs bucks and then you might have to have a special timing chain for it. Besides if one of the original caps is cracked then id be suspect of the life that engine led.
Why not pick up a good used late model roller block engine that will give you a stock roller cam and great performance.

Originally Posted by rommaster2

Also do 302 heads have bigger ports then 289 heads, i ask just because i have a set of 302 heads already machined with 351 valves (i needed new valves for them, so i went bigger) and was just wondering which had bigger overall ports.

No. All 289,302 ports and valves of the vintage variety are the same. The later heads like the e7, gt40, gt40p (watch out for header/sparkplug interfearance) flow better stock. As long as the heads you have are sound then id stick with them. They sound fine, however if you havent had the bowls worked over and the exhaust ports cleand up and gone through you might not notice the improvment of bigger valves at this time.

Originally Posted by rommaster2

finally would a 65 flywheel be the same as a 66? i ask this because a few sites i've seen only have listings for 66-73 289\302. I plan on running either a 4 speed toploader, or a TKO500 (maybe 600) just depending on if i can find a toploader for a good deal used or not, cause new the cost is almost the same considering i'd get an overdrive gear.

If your going to do it all up and have nothing to start with id go with a T5. Much cheaper than the tk500 and will hold up fine to 250 rwhp.
Again id go away from the 65 block you have just on the cracked cap issue.
So the 65 66 thing is a non issue.

Originally Posted by rommaster2

in terms of intake i was planning on running
edelbrock performer rpm intake
650cfm 4 barrel carb (thinking either holley or edelbrock0
still deciding on cam looking for something in the area of about .550 lift, but that will give decent off idle qualities (engine won't almost stall unless i'm flooring it) but really pick up on the top reccomendations are definetly welcome as i don't know much about cams.
Proper valve springs according to cam\rpm needs
long tube headers (i like hookers, but i read good things about hedmans).

Intake is good, Holley avenger 650 or an edelbrock will do well.
Cam selection is wide open OMG there are so many choices that will do what you want. I have a B303 ford roller cam for my setup and although i havent driven it yet,(SIGH!!!) ive talked to many people that like it for a good low to upper midrange HP charge. Nice idle as well (slightly rumpty)
Springs, id stay with a nice beehive setup. Look at the front page on FM.
Make sure you have an adjustable valvetrain with some screw in studs.
Headers from headman are a good deal (also from what ive heard)

Originally Posted by rommaster2

thats all i can think of right now. Realistically the power requirements aren't as big a deal to me as how fast it is, i'd like to be able to run at least low 15s. Oh and this will all be in a 65 ford falcon, that will have either an 8 or nine inch, with probably a 3.20 or 3.50 rear gear tops.

Well i hope ive shed some light, But you are delving into the depths of new engine hell when you start peicing it together one at a time. Especially when your learning as you go. Believe me i did it and if id have been able to to it with a crate engine i would have. Just somethign to think about.

Good luck and keep us informed!

about 95% (if not all) the machining will be free as its done at the college, so thats definetly a plus in building this. We (me and my friend) will also checking the block to make sure its sound to use before we use it.

Ditch it and get a later 5.0 block. Plus you can get a rebuilt T5 for about $600.

Check to see if the block has five or six bolts to mount the bell housing. If it has five bolts and the rest of the rotating assembly (crank and such) is the same vintage then you end up with a lot of weird stuff in it. Those early flywheels use a 160 tooth flywheel ring gear and some off-the wall balance on the flywheel ad balancer too (Ithink).
You would be better off with a 302 - more cubes and it looks the same on the outside. Only you would know.

Originally Posted by PaulS1950

You would be better off with a 302 - more cubes and it looks the same on the outside. Only you would know.

I concur, less problems, and all things being stock, a 302 is worth 15-20 ft lb of torque because of the 3.00 inch stroke as apposed to the 2.87 on a 289.

Alot more parts availability as well.

The block has the six hole bell housing pattern. Since my friend can check everything at the college i'm gonna have him check the stuff first before totally giving up on it.

My search for parts has revealed a few more questions for me. I know that you guys recommend going with a different motor but the answer to this question would be good to know either way. So far i have only been able to find 302 main caps from miledon, and thier kit only comes with 3, or at least thats what i understand. So my question then is do the front and rear not need to be replaced with stronger ones?

Also realistically at what power area should i think about non stock caps, i can't find stock caps to begin with yet, but i just don't know if the $260 would be spent somewhere better.

From there also what power area would stock connecting rods be well down right risky to run at?

Do you guys know of anywhere that even carrys stock caps, or at least better priced kits?