New motor bought of market place

[19cometman63]

Afternoon everyone. I have an issue that needs more thoughts on. I just purchased an early 289 of market place. It has 5 bolt bellhousing, aluminum intake (for some unknown reason, the name and part number was ground off with an angle grinder), bored .03 over, forged pistons, edelbrock one step up cam and lifter set, new water pump, fuel pump, new crank pulleys, rebuilt or reman. 302 heads, all for $700. While finding the name and part numbers off the intake, which is actually an edelbrock, which one, I have no clue, anyway, the valve cover bolts, intake bolts, and possibly head bolts have no washers nor are they flanged head. The person i got this from worked at advanced auto at some point, but I have no idea what experience this guy might have putting together motors. I have never done this before but am very familiar with how it has to be done. And I have done lots of reading and research. I really hate to fire this thing up and have it grenade because someone didn't do it right. Do I tear it down, check to make sure it is correct, and then proceed. My gut says to pull the pan, check the bottom end. Pull the timing chain cover and look for the edelbrock numbers in the cam. Almost forgot to add, crank has been turned down .01. The guy did tell me the he used stock vale springs and locks and keeper, stock push rods and stock rods on the pistons. Since this is new to me, any and all advise would be greatly appreciated.

[SASSY]

Follow your gut.
It's a unknown quantity.
Plus you'll learn a ton doing it.

[poboyjo65]

Follow your gut.
It's a unknown quantity.
Plus you'll learn a ton doing it.

I'm with Fred on this. I'd want to see if it had all he said in it.

[Jims65cyclone]

What Fred and Johno said. It would be a PITA to go to the effort to put it in unchecked, have it let go and leave you stranded somewhere, then have to go through the whole process again.

Jim

[Rootsy]

Where are you located?

[Joe Travers]

I would tear it down while it's on a stand.

Joe

[19cometman63]

Thanks everyone. Going with my gut and going to tear it down. I am located in churubusco, Indiana Jim. Just northwest of fort wayne

[poboyjo65]

Thanks everyone. Going with my gut and going to tear it down. I am located in churubusco, Indiana Jim. Just northwest of fort wayne

Gut feelings & hair on back of neck, never ignore them!

[Rootsy]

If you were closer I would be happy to help you sort it out.

[19cometman63]

I really appreciate the thoughts Jim. I have several people around that are great at it. Most are racer and car builders, so I'm not all alone on this.

[19cometman63]

Just a bit of an update. Finally started taking motor apart. Very glad I did. For starters, only a few correct bolts used. Harmonic balancer bolt was correct and oil pump mounting bolts were correct. For the life of me, why would you put metric bolts in for the oil pan or any other place? I try to nice, but this moron used metric bolts on the oil pan. All other were like going to the hardware store and getting bolts to fit. After getting pan off. Lots of junk and dirt in pan. To back up one step, the guy had put just regular engine oil in. I drained it and found the junk. Looking at the bottom end, crank, main and rod caps. They were dirty and still had some burnt oil build up. When machining a block, isn't that the first step, to clean Everything? Looking at the cylinder walls, definitely been bored and honed, forged pistons .03 over. One very disturbing part, there is a line, (very fine shallow scratch). This is my first rebuild, this scratch, visible line,is that normal? Still rather nervous about pulling the pistons and crank out to measure and clean everything back up, like it should have been. I have convinced myself I can do this, time and lots of learning

[Joe Travers]

I was gifted a 5 bolt small block yesterday but needs a lot of work. Been sitting outside, probably scrap but you never know until you inspect thoroughly.

On that line, take everything down & have the block Magnafluxed and bores inspected by machinist before you sink a plug nickel into the build. These are old blocks and you don't want to have to start from scratch twice. Too pricey

Joe

[19cometman63]

Probably a good idea Joe. I have the original 260 motor from my comet. It to is possibly scrap. Been toen apart and all rusted up from sitting In the garage for almost 40 years same thing with the heads. If this 289 is toast, then that will be the next choice. For now anyway.
I do have a question for you Joe. I does that T-10 do In your car? I have a good one that I just got for this build. Seen all kinds of different opinions on them.

[Joe Travers]

T-10 is a good light transmission and works fine in a street application.
Lord only knows how many were used for racing in cars from all major automakers at one time. Were found in the early Cobras & A/FX Comets for '64. Dropped for the stronger Toploader Ford design in '65 for more durability as power levels started to climb .

When you rebuild, use upgraded components- bearings, sliders, etc.
I would suggest checking out Paul Cangialosi's book and tutorials.

Joe

[Jims65cyclone]

Paul has some excellent YouTube tutorials, too. I've been studying them for my T-5 rebuild.

Jim