289 Hi Po engine I/D

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simonjrwinter
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289 Hi Po engine I/D

Post by simonjrwinter »

Is there a way of telling these from a standard 289 or is it all a bit of a myth?

Simon
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peterc
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Re: 289 Hi Po engine I/D

Post by peterc »

Have searched the forum for this as I'm sure the subject has risen before or at least it was part of a previous posting.
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Migge
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Re: 289 Hi Po engine I/D

Post by Migge »

Roger King should know.
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colinA
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Re: 289 Hi Po engine I/D

Post by colinA »

Yes you can identify a 289 hi po engine; easily if it is as it left the Ford factory, less so after the passage of 50 years and mods rebuilds etc.
Bob Manell's reference book explains all the details https://fordsmallblock.com/. The main thing is the heads which are unique to the Hi Po. They can be identified externally by the number cast on the corner of the head by the valve cover lip. If it's a Hi Po head it will have the number 19 or 20 or 21. Under the valve cover the valve seats are pocketed.
Blocks are all the same; the Hi Po ones were supposedly selected but this is probably only the case for early engines when the production volumes were low. Blocks were then fitted with heavy duty main caps. Early Hi Po engines (from '63) are factory numbered.
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Re: 289 Hi Po engine I/D

Post by CobStang »

I owned a K code Mustang for a number of years, so I know how to spot a HiPo 289.
Externally a few clues,
The heads do have 19, 29 or 21 cast on the corners just outside the rocker cover gasket line on the corner (s)
The crank damper is way thicker front to back than a regular 289.
The block should have the VIN of the car STAMPED on the RH side near the front just above the oil pan join, (Mustang)
The intake will be a regular cast iron 4 bbl intake.
The carb if still present will be a unique to HiPo Autolite 1.12 manual choke 4 bbl.
The distributor if still present will be a unique to HiPo FoMoCo or Motorcraft ( later ) NON vac advance unit, dual point.
The rocker covers if OEM will be chrome
The air cleaner lid if OEM will be chrome.
The block and intake colour if '65 or earlier will be black.
The fuel pump if still fitted and OEM will be a button top 3939S.
The headers, if Mustang and OEM will be HiPo castings.
The flywheel ( if visible and OEM ) will be HiPo unique, marked with an orange paint daub and be part of the HiPo unique external balancing of 30.4 oz imbalance.

Internal
Heads under the rocker covers will be cast 289 and TWO DOTS.
Heads will have cast in spring retaining seats. I think double springs - cant remember.
Heads will have SCREW IN rocker studs.
Block is std 289 cast using higher nodular iron. Thick main caps.
Con rods are HiPo unique using 3/8" bolts instead of 5/16", orange paint daub.
Crank is std 289 cast using higher nodular iron with polished rear counterweight to enable inspection. Orange paint daub.
Extra hatchet counterweight to front of crank.
Pistons, forged.
Narrow timing chain.
HiPo unique water pump ( 6 vanes ) Alloy early, Iron late.
Cam shaft unique HiPo grind.
Lifters are solid lifters.

No myth - awesome engines !
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simonjrwinter
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Re: 289 Hi Po engine I/D

Post by simonjrwinter »

Thanks gents
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Dave Woodward
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Re: 289 Hi Po engine I/D

Post by Dave Woodward »

Simon,

A few pics to bring some of this to life for you.

CobStang goes into much more detail but there are some easy spots.

Dave

1. Spring pockets are deeper than on standard heads and give the impression of having an octagonal 'wall'
IMG_0261.jpg
2. 289 cast with two dots on the HiPo heads rather than a single dot on the standard heads
IMG_0262.jpg
3. There was a small counter weight set just being the timing chain on HiPo's. May still be there if not rebuilt.
IMG_0265.jpg
4. Dabs on orange paint on crank and block if not already rebuilt.
IMG_0268.jpg
5. Main caps are of heavier construction on the HiPo's. They appear thinner along the upper edge on the standard blocks.
IMG_0350.jpg
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