I Know Just Enough About Engine Building to be Dangerous

So I got a shot at a fox body Mustang with a fresh built hot engine I am thinking about putting in the '63 Fairlane.

Details on engine:

5.0 Demon 750 Heavily massaged cast iron GT40 heads 1.6 roller rockers x303 cam Boss domed pistons 289 con rods No extra bore or stroke, just balance and blueprint. less than 50 hrs on engine

However, the engine builder who I contacted today said he built this engine under protest. Wasn't happy with the owners parts selection, pistons had clearance problems with GT40's (corrected), over carbed. Though, he is a little Chevy biased both in personal choice and clientele.

Talked with friend who drove car and said it's very strong and easily a 400 horse engine.

Current owner wants $1800 for the whole car. Before anybody yells "Part Out!" it wasn't an original V8 car so weak T5 and "one wheel peel" 8.8. Also took a bent frame hit which is why it's parked. Planning on giving the carcass to the guy helping me pull it.

Am I heading in the right direction? Streetable and Cruiseable but still melt tires? Price sound right?

The rest of the drivetrain will be a stock rebuilt C4, have not aquired tq converter yet and on the lookout for Explorer lsd rear 3.73.

do it..

don't know what's so special about the 289 connecting rods, tho..

In reply to novaderrik:

From what I understand, and I'm no expert, the wrist pin location on Boss slugs are in a different location and the length of the 289 rods compensates for that. The original owner's intention was to try to get as close to a Boss 302 without actually going as far as a Clevlor. Focus was on high RPM. I know cast iron GT40 heads are nowhere near anything like 351 Windsor heads, but from what I understand these heads have been ground to the max.

$1800 for an engine, not much more will buy a crate. there are lots of deals on engines out there.

I would get an aluminum head engine for that much,

Agreed, and I would venture to guess it has no where near 400 HP unless I am missing a power adder. Probably less than 300.

I think you could get good results for way less (nearly 300 hp for under $500). 86-and later 5.0 ho, throw an f cam or similar in it and decent used aluminum heads - you're close to 300hp (you can also stay cheap and grind/port the humps out of the exhaust ports and let the stock heads breath.

Thanks for the input.

Pass.

Chevy or not, the builder is right on this one.

or a stock 351 for $250

That sounds like a lot of money for an engine someone else built. It would have to be more like $500 to be a good deal imo.

Thanks, all. Telling owner "pass" tonight.