[Gregski]

I removed the fuel pump drive doughnut thing, so that I could remove the cam sprocket in order to get to the thrust plate.

All these steps make me think about those people to whom everything is easy. I hate them! You know the type that are across town when you call them and say, hey man the thing's about to start where are you? And they say I'll be there in 10 minutes, than they show up 45 minutes later.

The type that say, oh swapping the cam is easy it's like 2 hours and you can do it without removing the engine out of the car. Well, those guys either A. never replaced a cam in their lives - OR- 2. they have but it took them 2 days and they did a half @ss job and had a couple parts left over, can you think of anybody you know like that... [I'll wait] LOL

[67svtstang]

Originally Posted by Gregski I hear ya, however I found some pitting in the cylinder walls that broke my heart, and may break my wallet. That coupled with the junk heads kinda kill the deal. But I gotta ask you do they sleeve iron blocks I think they do, I think 67ATX is having his block sleeved on this very forum in his thread called 67 coupe 302 swap *Pics* but my buddy tells me they do that for aluminum blocks and not sure about iron ones. Even if they do that is it worth it, or would a roller block be more better, I can pick up a late 80's roller for $100 - I know sounds awesome except it's a 5 hour drive one way up north to pick it up, so add another $200 for gasoline for my truck.

Sure you can sleeve an iron block, but in this case, it is not worth the money. It starts to add up really quick if more than one cylinder needs a sleeve. I would only bother sleeving a block if it is original and adds value to the car.

87-93 302s are nice since they come with roller cams, but the E7 iron heads dont flow well.

[Gregski]

OK, finally got the cam out, how long did that take, two hours? LOL

First thing I noticed is how heavy that thing is. I wanted to weigh it but I loaned my digital scale to some gremlins. I'm guessing it's about 12 pounds.

OK, so could someone take a look at the cam close up and tell me if those lobes look worn, they have darker spots on the corners, and I have no idea what that means if anything.

[67svtstang]

That looks like a normal wear pattern to me. However, it would be hard to tell what is worn and isnt worn with the naked eye unless you had a lobe and lifter failure. I would suggest replacing the cam and lifters. There is a way to retrofit a roller cam and lifters to the block if you are up for a little drilling and tapping. Let me know if you are and i will dig around for the article on my computer.

[1996 GT]

You definitely can sleeve it im pretty sure. Cant see why not. Also it would be worth the 200$ just because the power difference, you wouldn't regret it. Or at least i wouldn't

[67ATX]

You can sleeve iron blocks. I'll post some pics when I get mine back. It's almost GO TIME! I got my engine rebuild kit and dropped off the pistons for fitting today

[mr.sin]

Man greg reading this build was flipping hillarious, I literally laughed the whole time. From when you posted the first picture of that pile of rust with no hood to when you named the valves and explained how they worked using toliets and mushrooms. I especially appreciated how you refused to pull the engine even when people kept telling you to, that was so great. It also sounds like you are a stubborn @ss guy and I respect that. If i were you I'd stick with that water filled 289 get that thing sleeved or whatever you have to do and make that beast work. I really wish i could do a rebuild with a guy like you.
sin.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by mr.sin Man greg reading this build was flipping hillarious... I really wish i could do a rebuild with a guy like you. sin.

Wow somebody actually read the words, damn, thanks for the kind words, and be careful what you wish for as my buddy says "we'll have that in pieces in no time" I still have to start putting things back together, my electric motorcycle side project took me away from the Mustang, I also moved after living in the same house for 10 years, but I am itching to start working on the floor pans next, and I'm not really stubborn just scared half the time, lol

[mr.sin]

btw you are planning on painting your entire car yourself right? I already read your optimus prime thread and that was pretty cool but I wasn't sure if you were gonna do the whole sha'bang. If so I hope you make a thread about it cause that is what I want to do and I have a feeling if I look at pictures of you doing it first mine won't suck half as bad. Besides Idk if I have ever really seen a home paint job everyone seems too scared .

[ChrisJ]

Very nice read...I just read the whole thing and love the build...

Also just a suggestion go roller...

[outlawz916]

I think its awesome the way your going with the 289, i know half of the people that saw the rust from when you first took it apart would never think that you could get it in the condition that its in now. Sure it's not going to be a high performance motor and probably barely going to have any power at all but I doubt anyone else could rebuild that engine with so many of the original parts wether because they couldn't bring themself to do it or because they dont have the patience to go through every rusted part.

[CamaroKiller]

Good thread now we are just waiting for more updates and pics.

[67ATX]

2 and a half months and no updates?! You pointed out my forum absence, gotta getcha back buddy