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i want to put a new intake, carb, and cam in my basically stock 289. i was thinking of going edelbrock performer all the way. is this as cheap and reliable as is sounds? and what would i need to know, knowing that i have little experience? what steps are involved in doing this?
 

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#1 dont forget where the rotor is pointed when you pull the dist. so you can put it back the same with out having to find #1 and then just pull the intake clean all surfaces real good gaskets and sealer first then install new intake on my 428 the torque spec. on it is about 35 lbs.
 

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The Edelbrock Performer (2121) or Holley Street Dominator (300-39) are your best bets for a stock 289. They are designed closely after the original iron 4bbl intakes Ford used on the 289, and your stock mechanical throttle linkage should even work which would save you from having to do a throttle cable/cable kickdown conversion.

For the camshaft, you have countless options. Edelbrock's Performer cam, numerous Comp and Crane versions, not to mention Erson, Isky, etc, etc, et al. Keeping with the mild goal, look for something that doesn't have much more than 260 advertised duration and not much more than 212 duration at .050, and something with around .450 valve lift will make for a peppy 289 with great idle and throttle response and will match the above intakes. The #1 thing to be concerned with is valve springs. The stock springs on the stock heads will not be fond if the increased lift, replacing the springs to avoid possible binding should be done. Also, new motor oils lack the zinc and phosphorus needed for adequate break in of flat tappet cams. Make sure you use PLENTY of cam and lifter lube (make sure you buy and install new lifters if your cam did not come with them) and use either a racing oil , Shell Rotella T, or a ZDDP additive to make sure your cam doesn't wipe a lobe because you didn't have enough zinc in your oil.
 

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Whatever you buy keep in mind your expectations and communicate this
imformation to the seller. I've seen many a car that has less balls than
expected, little to no vacuum, power in the driving range is at the wrong rpm,
idles like a paint mixer and grenades itself. Mindset: "bigger is better".
Sometimes bolting on new stuff requires revisiting old stuff (technologies)
and bringing older components up to snuff to handle extra power.
Proceed cautiously and research a lot or some jerk will sell you an 800 cfm carb and wild cam just because he needs to unload old stock or
yesterdays news.
 

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I've read good things about the Edelbrock Performer packages, but like he said, you want to make sure everything else is up to snuff and talk to the seller and/or manufacturer to find out what else you will need that isn't obvious.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: acrylicophobia on 6/29/06 11:54am ]</font>
 

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Make sure and get a cam kit with all the right components to start with. Good time to change the timing gears also and maybe the water pump. If you can drop the oil pan with out to much trouble, I'd replace the oilpump/shaft and bearings. After all it does have a few miles on it and you're going to make more HP and twist it a "little" more too. Just somethings I've learned over the years.
 

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I put an Edelbrock performer and a holley 4-barrel carb on my stock 289. It was fairly simple, I'm 15, and I did it myself, so you should have no trouble. And if you have any questions about basically anything I reccomend calling Jeg's and asking, they will be happy to answer your questions. Good luck.
 
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