Primaries (Headers) for FIA 289

[PCW]

I'm in the process of deciding on a motor and I starting looking at the ERA Primaries and Comp Exhaust. As I started to read different threads about the Primaries, that they would only fit certain heads and height on certain blocks would also pose a problem with the Comp Side Pipes aliment. The threads were pretty old so I wasn't sure if ERA had address the issues over the years or not. Is it best to stay with the 289 block, or would a 302 work as well? Also, I read that Dart heads would not work with the ERA Primaries but AFR heads would work. I would like to use the ERA Primaries and Comp Exhaust but want to make sure I take all this into consideration before having the motor built.

Thanks,
Craig

[xb-60]

Craig, block (deck) heights for the 289 and 302 are identical. It's only if you go to a 351W that the deck height increases which results in the heads being pushed out a little.

Cheers,
Glen

[PCW]

Thanks Glen! Now I just need to figure out the heads question.

[blykins]

Dart Iron Eagle exhaust port locations are in the same as a factory head. They are 1.325" x 1.325". They can use a Felpro 1486 gasket, which is the same as a factory gasket.

The AFR 185cc cylinder head also has the exhaust port in the factory location, but it's a little larger at 1.360" x 1.355".

So if their header will fit an AFR, it will fit a factory Ford head or a Dart Iron Eagle head.

As for the blocks, 289 and 302 blocks are the same, but older factory Ford blocks are stronger as Ford did some mold/structural changes at various points throughout the 302's life. As an additional aside, if period-correctness is desired, the 289 block will be the only one with the cast and date codes that will match a 64-65 car.

[PCW]

Thanks Brent! I sent you an email this morning ...

Craig

[6TNCRZY]

ERA has headers for both 8.2" blocks {289/302) and 9.5" (351) blocks. Only issue is they are 1 5/8" primaries which is OK for a 289, but a little small for a big engine. most AFR heads have exhaust port raised 1/8", which should not be an issue, Trick-Flo and some others are raised more.

[peterpjb]

if you build a replica of 289 ‘FIA’, the specs for the engine are described in the FIA homologation No. 115, you should use a fivebolt C3 or C4 289 block with the matching cast iron heads, standard bore and standard stroke, and Weber 48 IDA...

[fintubi]

I have the ERA primary pipes on my slabside and they fit fine. Block is Dart SHP with 8.2" deck height (i.e. 289/302 spec). Heads are AFR 165.

However in my case I'm using ERA's undercar exhaust. So my primary collectors are slip-jointed to a J-shaped undercar headpipe leading to mufflers under the frame outriggers, and thence to tailpipes that hop over the rear axles, squeeze between my 215/70-15 tires and the frame, and out the back.

B