Scott H in Indy, build thread for 289 FIA

[Shamilton289]

INTRO
Having reached retirement age I am finally building my FFR 289 FIA. I am a former Mustang restoration shop owner and I’ve loved 289s since my first one in 1977. This car will have my version of a 289 HiPo with a C4.

Ordered in June 2025, ready for delivery August 9. Picked up by Stewart’s on Thursday Aug 28 and delivered to me Sunday Aug 31st.
Day 1, delivery
Day 2 & Day 3, Inventory
Day 4 & Day 5, front upper & lower control arms, spindles, steering rack.
Day 7, start on rear end and make a tools & material run to Home Depot
Day 8, cut plywood for Body Buck, prime & paint

I considered the front end as a trial fit, as I haven’t removed the body yet and I’ll probably have to unbolt the upper arms to install the F panels.

[cc2Arider]

Welcome Scott!

I'm "down the road a-piece", so reach out from time-to-time. In fact, if you want my chassis dolly, just say so...

Craig C

[Shamilton289]

Welcome Scott!

I'm "down the road a-piece", so reach out from time-to-time. In fact, if you want my chassis dolly, just say so...

Craig C
Thank you Craig. Mine is already sitting on a dolly I knocked together. Working on the body buck today. I’m having trouble with the Drag & Drop photos on my iPad

[Jim1855]

Welcome Scott. Hope you enjoy your build.
I have a 2018 289 FIA with a 289 coming my way this week, Tuesday, I hope.
I'm looking forward to driving again.
Jim

[Jeff Kleiner]

Hey Scott,
I think you know that I'm nearby in Bloomington. Give me a shout if you need anything!

Jeff

[Shamilton289]

Hey Scott,
I think you know that I'm nearby in Bloomington. Give me a shout if you need anything!

Jeff
I have a granddaughter in Bloomfield and son in law has a place on Lake Lemon, so I’ll be in your vicinity once in awhile :)

[cc2Arider]

Lots of good roads down that way ...Indiana 45 comes to mind :cool:

Craig C

[tundra2050]

INTRO
Having reached retirement age I am finally building my FFR 289 FIA. I am a former Mustang restoration shop owner and I’ve loved 289s since my first one in 1977. This car will have my version of a 289 HiPo with a C4.

Ordered in June 2025, ready for delivery August 9. Picked up by Stewart’s on Thursday Aug 28 and delivered to me Sunday Aug 31st.
Day 1, delivery
Day 2 & Day 3, Inventory
Day 4 & Day 5, front upper & lower control arms, spindles, steering rack.
Day 7, start on rear end and make a tools & material run to Home Depot
Day 8, cut plywood for Body Buck, prime & paint

I considered the front end as a trial fit, as I haven’t removed the body yet and I’ll probably have to unbolt the upper arms to install the F panels.

I'm in the same boat. Retired and always wanted to do this as a retirement hobby. I decided on the 289 FIA because I liked the looks and the uniqueness over the 427. Although that would have been just as cool. FFR makes a great product compared to the others.

Just placed my order yesterday. I look forward to your build posts.

Best of luck!
James

[Shamilton289]

September was mostly lost for a few reasons…Dr visit that lead to tests that lead to different Dr visit and more tests, followed by 2-3 more Dr visits upcoming. It seems they found a loose thread and they are pulling it to see where it goes. So far it doesn’t go anywhere, lots of good results. Then my wife was in hospital for 3 days, followed by a 4 day girls-only trip to Punta Gorda for Fall break….grandma, daughter, and our two grandaughters.
Plus I’ve been waiting for boxes from FFR which have finally started to arrive. Got my small sheet metal parts, engine mounts, wiring harness, Certificate of Origin, and the mounting brackets to install the 3 link. Time to move forward!
I’ve started to rebuild the 8.8…something I’ve always farmed out. But if I want to claim that I built this car, by golly I’m gonna build it. That includes me building the 289, rebuilding the C4, and rebuilding the rear.
Rear disassembly is finished, next step is thorough cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Will get all new bearings, shims, and seals and get converted to a 3.27:1 ratio using Ford gears220738220739220740

[tundra2050]

That sounds like a great project! I wish I had those kind of skills. I would like to try my hand at building an engine rather than just replacing parts on one. That would be a huge learning curve for me and a completely different project. Maybe after this build. Looking forward to hearing more about your build. Keep those photos coming.

[Shamilton289]

That sounds like a great project! I wish I had those kind of skills. I would like to try my hand at building an engine rather than just replacing parts on one. That would be a huge learning curve for me and a completely different project. Maybe after this build. Looking forward to hearing more about your build. Keep those photos coming. I’ve done dozens of engines in Mustangs, from stock 289’s to 428CJ. I usually sublet the trans and differential, but not this time!

[Shamilton289]

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Still working on the rear axle assembly. The 8.8 housing I bought did not come with axles. Ordered new 5 lug axles from Summit Racing. The wheel studs were shipped loose in the box, and they are about 1/2” shorter than the front wheel studs. Ordered Dorman studs to match the fronts. Attempted to install them with a Lisle Wheel Stud Installation Tool, which uses a lug nut to pull the stud into the axle. I kept the studs in the freezer overnight. The first one was a bit tough, but it went in. Second one bound up before it was seated and stripped the lug nut 😡. I don’t have a hydraulic press, but I do have a ball joint installation kit. Took a bit of time but I got all 5 done in one axle.
Next challenge is getting the old carrier bearings off the differential and pressing new ones on.
Baby steps, but at least some progress :)

[Shamilton289]

Minor progress…both rear axles have the new wheels studs pressed in. My 20 yr old SnapOn air hammer disintegrated internally as I was removing a carrier bearing ��. Used a metal snips to cut thru the bearing cage, then used a cutoff wheel to cut through the bearing race far enough that a chisel opened up the cut, and got one bearing off. Second bearing is going faster. Then a major flush and clean of the differential before installing the new bearings. I’m going to try heating them up on a hot plate to expand them and then see if they will drop onto the carrier. Saw lots of videos of guys doing it this way when they don’t have access to a press. If this works, I’m on to setting the pinion gear ��

[Shamilton289]

Second carrier bearing successfully removed today. Thoroughly cleaned the differential, then placed in the freezer overnight. Tomorrow I’ll warm up the bearings and hope they slide right on.
Received a fair amount of boxes last month, including my Certificate of Manufacturer and my engraved ID plate. Today I updated my inventory and I’m down to only 2 parts missing: the pre-cut dashboard, and the fuse block mounting bracket. ��

[Shamilton289]

221574
It was a minor challenge, but I successfully removed the old bearings and races, then pressed the new bearings on using one of the old races with a persuader 🤓
Differential in the freezer for a few hours, then bearings on a low-medium hot plate for 15 minutes.

[Shamilton289]

Every now and then I need to take a step back and clean house to get a fresh start and a new perspective on things. Got all the clutter off my workbench, finished building my body buck, and moved all my Factory Five boxes to the buck. It’s on casters so I can easily move it in and out of the shop and shift it over to give me more working space around the chassis.

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[Stangrob]

BTW nice bench, and I especially like the vintage Wilton vice!

Rob

[Shamilton289]

BTW nice bench, and I especially like the vintage Wilton vice!

Rob
Thank you. The bench is 3 Harbor Frieght General tool boxes with the casters removed. Covered with a couple slabs of butcher block countertops I got from Menards, marked down for damage. I ripped them to size and used the cutoff pieces for backsplash.
I restored the Wilton about 5-6 years ago. My uncle machine a new handle to replace the old bent handle ��

[tundra2050]

That's a really nice setup. That bench top looks like it belongs inside of the house. I wish I would have taken my dad's old vise. May have been my grandfather's. He was a machinist. I still have to clean my bench up. I'm waiting to finish my elevated buck. I'm hoping the body can clear the top of my door and over the naked kit on 16" jack stands. I'll work on a rolling chassis sometime after Thanksgiving.

BTW, Happy Thanksgiving to all! If you have the time and can afford one or more of these machines, there's a lot to be thankful for.

[Shamilton289]

That's a really nice setup. That bench top looks like it belongs inside of the house. I wish I would have taken my dad's old vise. May have been my grandfather's. He was a machinist. I still have to clean my bench up. I'm waiting to finish my elevated buck. I'm hoping the body can clear the top of my door and over the naked kit on 16" jack stands. I'll work on a rolling chassis sometime after Thanksgiving.

Thank you! Hopefully this is our forever home, moved in 8 years ago. First order of business for me was the garage. Had the floor done, hung cabinets obtained from Habitat ReStore, moved in the tool boxes, had electrician add a bunch of outlets. Just recently finished the drywall and two-tone paint. The 8’ LEDS are awesome. The far end of the bench with the drill press and grinder has a water softener underneath, I sill need to make a door to hide it. Next project is installing the mini-split heat and a/c so I can work out there this winter.

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[Stangrob]

+1 on the mini split. I just added one to my garage - it’s a game changer!

Rob