So I'm about to bolt the heads back on my 289 and wondered if they had to be on a particular side of the block. Searches revealed that they can go on either side. However, I noticed that the spark plug holes in the heads are at an angle such that they originally faced rearward prior to disassembly so the heads aren't really swappable left to right are they?
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'68 convertible restoration underway. See Ol' Rusty's progress at 68Vert.BlogSpot.Com
Looking at the heads the plug holes face the same direction on both heads if they are placed side by side. So it follows that when you turn one head 180 degrees to get it on the other side of the engine the plug holes will face the opposite direction. In otherwords, they are interchangeable,they are identical castings and can be used oneither side; but if the heads have thermactor holes it is possible that one side is plugged and the other side has a threaded insert for accessories if that portion of the emissions system has been abandoned. Probably not an issue on vintage 289 heads.
Looking at the heads the plug holes face the same direction on both heads if they are placed side by side. So it follows that when you turn one head 180 degrees to get it on the other side of the engine the plug holes will face the opposite direction. In otherwords, they are interchangeable,they are identical castings and can be used oneither side; but if the heads have thermactor holes it is possible that one side is plugged and the other side has a threaded insert for accessories if that portion of the emissions system has been abandoned. Probably not an issue on vintage 289 heads.
Jafo
Oh duh. That makes sense. Thanks.
@joy1nder: Lol! Obviously because I'm not smart enough to own one. :-)
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'68 convertible restoration underway. See Ol' Rusty's progress at 68Vert.BlogSpot.Com
Can't help with the question....but why do you have a 289 and not a 302 ?
Lots' of 68 Mustangs had the 289 2V. Very very common.
There was no left or right 289 or 302 head. Both were the same. The head gasket is tricky, there is a front and rear. Putting one of those on backward is a disaster, the engine will overheat constantly.
The really big holes shown here at the left go at the rear end of the engine:
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Amateur restorer. (Well, once in a while I have been paid for it)
What? You forgot to mark them when you took them off??
Just kidding. As 22GT describes....
LOL! The funny thing is that I actually DID mark them. The engine guy must have been laughing his a$$ off when I brought them in to get new hardened seats. When I got them back, the marks were painted over! Oh no! LOL!
Oh well, live and learn.
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'68 convertible restoration underway. See Ol' Rusty's progress at 68Vert.BlogSpot.Com
marking your parts is always smart, even if its overkill. as posted the most important steps on installing the heads is making sure the gaskets are correct, also dont forget to chase the head bolt threads and use a good thread lube.
marking your parts is always smart, even if its overkill. as posted the most important steps on installing the heads is making sure the gaskets are correct, also dont forget to chase the head bolt threads and use a good thread lube.
Okay thanks for the tips!
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'68 convertible restoration underway. See Ol' Rusty's progress at 68Vert.BlogSpot.Com
Another possibly stupid question: Do modern head gaskets with that rubberized-looking sealer that goes around all the gasket openings require any additional gasket sealer or are the built-in seals on the gasket good enough?
Okay, maybe just one more: I'm currently planning on using NAPA/Permatex thread sealer on the head bolts (
On a later model 5.0 you must use RTV on the short outside bolts since they are open holes into the water jackets. I just use RTV on all of them so my torque readings are equal.
Not sure about an early 302 or 289. Haven't seen one of those blocks in years.
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1995 GT convertible - Laser Red
1995 GT convertible - Black (Son's ride)
1966 GT Fastback under restoration
I wonder what the RTV does to the torque values. Most torque values are specified using 30 weight lubricants. If you use ARP bolts with their special lubricants, you have to find out what to torque them to from ARP - the torque is very different. I had a long discussion with my engine builder about torques and he showed me torque spec tables which specifically stated "using 30 wt oil" and the flyer that came with ARP bolts about using their torques. The issue is that with their lubricant and an shop manual torque you end up over torquing. I think that's why many late mode motors specify a preload e.g tighten so much then turn x number of turns beyond like valve adjustments on hydraulic lifters.
Not sure where RTV fits.
On the Triumph Race blog this topic was very controversial.
With respect to the heads, I would just make sure there were accessory bolts on both ends before I decided it didn't matter which side.
Last edited by dobrostang; 09-24-2011 at 10:41 AM.
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Installing heads on correct side
? You forgot to mark them when you took them off
LOL!
