Cabin Fever Winter over? Working on my 289 again

[Shamilton289]

289 kit receive 9/1/2025
I started off great, building a dolly, inventory all the boxes, started putting together front suspension. Jumped to the 8.8 rear to get it rebuilt and installed. It’s cleaned up and ready to set the pinion bearings, then axle bearings and seals, then install it. Got my crankshaft and stuff back from being balanced so I started by checking the mains with Plastigauge…everything is fine. Then I sort of stalled for the holidays. Got the body buck finished. Then stalled for the bitter cold winter temperatures. It’s an attached 2 car garage with a low 8’ ceiling. But still no fun working out there in 30° temperature. I have a Mr Cool hvac unit to install for heat and a/c. We are staring to warm up. 40’s and 50’s this week. 64° tomorrow.
Started working on my pistons. Full floating pistons so I learned how to install spiral piston pin locks. Today I was checking piston ring gaps on the file-to-fit rings. Why do I make everything so complicated? LOL. It’ll be fun they said. Ha ha. I keep telling myself this is the part of “I built it” that I can be proud of.
But it feels good to be working on it again!

[Jphoenix]

"Why do I make everything so complicated? LOL. It’ll be fun they said."

LOL - my favorite saying: "For a little more, you can do it yourself."

A big part of the adventure in my opinion is learning new things - like those spiral pin locks. besides... it IS fun - much more fun than being in a meeting, right?

[tundra2050]

I learn something new every time I make a mistake and then have to figure out how to fix it. I wish I had the know-how on building a engine from scratch. Where I need to start is with a long block and then add/dress it to my tastes with bolt-ons and with the help of YouTube University. But I keep waffling between that and either a BP or Forte build.

Glad you're back on the build!

[Stangrob]

I learn something new every time I make a mistake and then have to figure out how to fix it. I wish I had the know-how on building a engine from scratch. Where I need to start is with a long block and then add/dress it to my tastes with bolt-ons and with the help of YouTube University. But I keep waffling between that and either a BP or Forte build.

Glad you're back on the build!

FWIW all of us who are building our own engines had to do "their first". At the end of the day, it's really not a difficult task. Do your research - those old How to build a SBF books still work! And now we have videos as you pointed out. If you want to do it I suggest doing it. And if you have questions, you have plenty of folks here who you can ask for input.

And +1 on Shamilton289 getting back to his car! I was worried when I saw you chiming in on the guy looking for an incomplete 289 FIA car to buy ;)

Rob

[Shamilton289]

"Why do I make everything so complicated? LOL. It’ll be fun they said."

LOL - my favorite saying: "For a little more, you can do it yourself."

A big part of the adventure in my opinion is learning new things - like those spiral pin locks. besides... it IS fun - much more fun than being in a meeting, right?


I learn something new every time I make a mistake and then have to figure out how to fix it. I wish I had the know-how on building a engine from scratch. Where I need to start is with a long block and then add/dress it to my tastes with bolt-ons and with the help of YouTube University. But I keep waffling between that and either a BP or Forte build.

Glad you're back on the build!


FWIW all of us who are building our own engines had to do "their first". At the end of the day, it's really not a difficult task. Do your research - those old How to build a SBF books still work! And now we have videos as you pointed out. If you want to do it I suggest doing it. And if you have questions, you have plenty of folks here who you can ask for input.

And +1 on Shamilton289 getting back to his car! I was worried when I saw you chiming in on the guy looking for an incomplete 289 FIA car to buy ;)

Rob I was tempted to cash in my chips and buy someone else’s problems with a complete running/driving/painted car. Those little episodes soon pass and I’m back to the insanity of doing it myself. I’m sure when it comes time for ME to do the bodywork and paint I will have several more instances of wanting someone else to do it. I haven’t painted a car since 2003

[Shamilton289]

Oil control/expansion rings installed.
#2 compression rings started. These are file-to-fit and I’m aiming for a gap of .020, currently out of the box the gap is less than .010
The top ring will have a gap of .028
Hope to finish all the filing and fitting this weekend.