260 suggestions

Warren

Warren

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Please don't say boat anchor, old engine blocks filled with concrete and rebar make better permanent moorings. I do have several anchors as well.

Okay then this is not really a for sale ad but it soon may be.

It runs great with not a hint of smoke or blow by and has wonderful oil pressure.
5 bolt 5K14M build date still present on deck.
1966 Date code 289 heads. In 2500 mi since reawakening after an 18 year slumber ,
the only noticeable problem is a main seal leak .
The freeze plugs look very new , the gano filter has not picked up any big hunks of cast iron ,from the block ready to move into the cooling system .
When left parked for 10 days or so the lifters will be a little noisy for a few seconds.
So what realistic horsepower can be gained by putting aluminum heads on it and possibly a mild cam .
The casting date is
5G20
C40E6015E
5 BOLT,
Ideas ?
 
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CompCam's program while cool...

does not list 260, so don't waste time there. I was going to try and throw some numbers at you. But I'm not certain just how accurate the program is to real life anyway. It's throwing around ~290-300 for my mild 289 build concept (256XE); seems optimistic.

Motor sounds neat! I'm really questioning myself 'why didnt you buy the rebuilt 260 for some $1900 delivered?'

(Almost) everyone here will suggest finding another block if power is what you are after.

Intake, Carb, Heads, Headers, Exhaust... have fun.

Derek
 
Coffee table

Thanks for skipping that suggestion. IDK which 260 you refer too . Someone could throw a numbers matching valve cover on it and voila a period date code GT motor just add a 2bbl and manifold.. I suppose it could go in the Falcon vert. but that had a 6 banger with less than 5000 miles on it. Probably go fishing on Craigslist for a Mustang or Fairlane owner.
 
intentionally vague

suffice to say, one option was an online seller that continues to market rebuilt vintage 5 bolts. Couple months back they had a pretty looking 0.020 over 260, complete, new internal bits galore, delivered. I hemmed and hawed.

The 'personalized badges' kept me 289 hunting...

After the 260 sold, I visited a different EBay motor shop that I quite expected to be lined with fancy fresh crate engines surrounding a vast warehouse. Their online storefront is impressive, as are all the options and 'stages' they show as available. Hundreds of motors, new and vintage. Videos of running motors on dynos, etc. The in person experience was just shocking. shocking. Old school parts counter. period. Caveat emptor and all that, yes, but they have a damn good online marketing guy... If I'd bought the 260 from a similar outfit, can be sure any issue would be met with indifference.

I 'feel' in much better hands with my new machine shop expert(s), but the deposit just for labor startled me. Sigh... Hope it runs.

And I apologize, think it was me that carried on boat anchor comment, from another member... you're correct... a cornerstone or other fixed object would be a better description.

DD
 
No specific HP numbers, but, my totally stock 260 Tiger used to clock 16.3 at Lions Drag Strip on run-what-you-brung night in the early 70's.

Added an F4B, Holley 4 barrel, side pipes and could squeak out a high 14 on a good night.
 
Warren--pull the 260 and freshen it up, new seals and gaskets. Add some nice heads and use a good intake and carb, it should give you enough power to have fun. I would hope to see 225 hp out of it easily.
 
I have not done and dyno'ed what you are considering, so do not have a direct answer on what you could expect. However, some hopefully relevant observations to your build consideration.

You already have better breathing heads with the 289's. While they are iron, why spend a lot of money on aluminum heads?

While the 289 heads are better breathing, they also drop the compression ratio. I am thinking some higher compression pistons should be a part of your considerations regardless of the heads you use and a better place to spend your money. I recall hearing that Buck Trippel has a source for such 260 pistons and rings and at pretty reasonable prices. Probably less than a high quality set of aluminum heads (fully loaded with valves springs, rocker arms push rods, etc.) which without higher compression pistons could well not give that much of an improvement over the current 289 iron head setup and stock pistons.

Once you decide on your "mild" cam, be sure and confirm that the dynamic compression ratio is in a range that you can run on regular pump gas, if that is part of your ultimate objective.

I would also suggest going with a roller cam conversion and roller rocker arms to just get the motor to wind up a bit more eagerly. You want to enjoy the occasional WOT to the fullest right? And of course the new cam and lifters will also need the appropriate matching springs. Consider what Lunati has to offer in addition to what Comp Cams can provide (no affiliation with either).

And of course all the usual intake, carb, and exhaust recommendations for a better breathing motor apply.

Just my 2 cents on possible most sensible/cost effective ways to get the most out of whatever the 260 can deliver.:)

Gene
 
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The "260 HIPO" made 245 horsepower (+/-) and should be clone able with a mix of modern and period parts.

For example a hydraulic lifter version of the cam is still made by Holman Moody:

c90z-6250-c

http://www.holmanmoody.com/cams.html

Edelbrock f46 intakes are available.

Holly provides a carburetor.

CAT provides a header.

The local exhaust shop provides 2" LAT "clone" pipes.

??
 
Beefing a 5-bolt

Warren;So what realistic horsepower can be gained by putting aluminum heads on it and possibly a mild cam . The casting date is 5G20 C40E6015E 5 BOLT said:
Personally, I would just freshen the seals & lifters. Having built a few (lots) 5-bolt critters, I can tell you that they added the larger 6 bolts and increased the locating pin size for a reason. When stroking a 260, we always re-tap for larger grade 9 bolts & 1/2" pins. Just sayin' . . . . . .
Click to expand...
 
cobrakidz said:
Warren--pull the 260 and freshen it up, new seals and gaskets. Add some nice heads and use a good intake and carb, it should give you enough power to have fun. I would hope to see 225 hp out of it easily.
Click to expand...

Warren,

I am with CobraKidz on this one. Just freshen the 260, with intake & carb. Then simply ENJOY a not finicky, not overheating, Tiger.

My engine builder (Koury Power) built my stock 289. He kept the stock heads, but added roller rockers. Balanced / Blueprinted, mild Crane Cam, only 9.3 C.R., netted 275 h.p. / 310 ft. lbs. torque. My point is, how much power do you really need for your street Tiger? The same mild mods on your 260 would be great.
 
STROKER

Throw a 302 crank and rods in it, with your 289 heads, the new pistons, or just mill the heads, and you got a 273 stroker that will be lots of fun.
 
ToyTrainGuy said:
My point is, how much power do you really need for your street Tiger?
Click to expand...

My 260 ran just beautifully. PO installed .030 over pistons. I installed a F4B manifold with a 4100 carb. It developed just over 160 RWHP. It was fun to drive and once the cooling system was sorted out with the common mods, ran cool.

That sweetheart of an engine now sits on a stand in the corner of my garage. I replaced it with an engine that produces 386 RWHP. Fun to drive, no.......completely unbelievable blow your mind, most fun with clothes on of a driving experience. The power to weight ratio (5.5 lbs/HP) of my Tiger is right there or better than most super cars. Runs cool too, at all times.

To answer your question....too much horse power is not enough.
 
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