Replace smoking 289 with my peppy 200?

[Tcrudo]

This is a something I am seriously thinking of doing. I have a 1963 Futura with a 289 that smokes a bit. It's not horrible but it gets worse the longer I drive and people behind me are giving me hand gestures to show they are unhappy with this engine. I also have a really fine 200 from a Mustang that was given to me by a friend that is sitting on a stand in my garage. I have no idea how much it will cost to repair the 289 (probably rings) but I would probably want to throw some good time and money at it. The 200 was looking at me and I suddenly thought it may be cheaper to change out the driveline, the radiator, the exhaust and use the 6 cylinder. Don't worry, I have the correct C4 6 cylinder bell housing in my garage. Is this a good idea or should I just pull the 289 and do the rebuild it needs? BTW, I do love the rumble of the V8. A 289 and C4 is a pretty cool combo. This is both a financial decision and a mechanical one. I am pretty decent working with 170's and 200s and the 289 is kind of shoehorned into the falcon. To be honest, I am a little intimidated by it. Just some advice would be a good start.

 

[bubba22349]

Yes since you have a good 200 and all most all the other six related parts needed to do the swap it's a good idea and probably will be cost effective. Being a 1963 Falcon Futura it probally even had a 170 in it when new check the Vin Code numbers. When they put in the 289 did they upgrade the front suspention parts and rear axle with the V8 parts? Best of luck

 

[Tcrudo]

I did check the vin number and it had a 170 in it. The guys who put the 289 in it did everything to turn it into a muscle car. They put 5 lugs up front, a 5 lug differential (all drum though), new springs, mustang linkage, a C4 (all Granada?). It has a very cool stance on 15" Cragars. I guess my concern is not so much the difficulty of swapping in my 200 but SHOULD I do it. It is not a show car but it definitely has a Muscle car vibe going on. It looks fast sitting in the parking lot. Putting in the 200 might be easier but would drop the cool factor a few levels. BTW, the 289 is not tuned well and I bet it gets 11 miles to the gallon. Rebuilding the whole thing might improve both the smoke, performance and gas mileage...but at a high price

 

[bubba22349]

Yes the 289 is definitely in bad shape in a light car like yours you should see 16 to 18 MPG easy with an auto trans. A cheap rering kit and valve job might fix for awhile depends on the condistion of internal parts only seeing and measuring everthing would let you know. This comes down basically to your personal tastes and wants I like these old six'es and there are easy ways to match or exceed the performance of a stock 289. The external muscle car look isn't going to change any except the front end will set up a little higher because of less front engine weight easy enough T to adjust and maybe the exhaust note and even that can be seemular with the right exhaust system parts. If you looking at it only as to the future resale value doing a rebuild to the 289 stock or Hot Rodding it or a 302 / 5.0 currently this will give you a bigger market but you could do that later if you wanted. Sounds like they at least did a decent swap by ungradeing the chassis and brakes to V8 specs I also like to do this for the better braking especially when doing a 250 small block six swap too. With the six swap you could at least keep it on the road and driving it until you can afford to build another engine. Best of luck

 

[bmbm40]

You mentioned the 200 was peppy, what has been done to it? If it has performance upgrades and a not too distant rebuild it may have power relatively close to the the tired 289. What is block and head date code of your 200? 63 Falcon Futura is a great ride.
You may have to change motor mounts?

 

[chad]

Y not properly dx da bent8? C Y it's has neighbors wavin wid only one finger of their hand. As U no lots can B done w/ motor 'in'. Only some 'out'~
blow back, everything from blocked PVC to rings. 1 later tool is compression ck...
"...Putting in the 200 might be easier but would drop the cool factor a few levels..."
sayin dat @ the wrong shop fella 8^0

 

[mwebb]

I think it depends on how you'll drive the Falcon. The 200 is already a nice upgrade over the 170. If the decision is a cost/mechanical one, and you plan to daily the Falcon, or use it around town, go with the 200. You can always rebuild the 289 or drop something else in later - sounds like the hard stuff on the car has already been upgraded.