5 or 6 bolt

[spl310]

Here is the situation. I have a 6 bolt 289 engine, and a Galaxie 4 speed to put behind it. My dreams are of a 289 replica. If you were me, would you stick with the 6 bolt block and build it, or go with find a 5 bolt? I harbor no dreams of an exact replica. The 4 speed is the wide mounting, so it will bolt behind the 6 bolt with either a scattershield (I have 2) or a stock bell housing (I have an iron truck unit - no aluminum unit yet).

[1985 CCX]

6 Bolt...............

Why?
Easier to match parts to it............
Cost will be less for the hard to find stuff
Block is easier to change out if you blow it up
Good 5 bolt blocks are getting harder to find................ second back up block may be measure to take if you start with this type.

My $0.02

[legenmetals]

+1 1985 CSX comment.

Use the six bolt and don't look back.

[spl310]

That is how I was leaning. Now, which bell housing? A scatter shield, a cast iron OEM piece, or find an aluminum OEM piece?

[PANAVIA]

5 bolt is only if you need to be hysterically correct for some reason. -- 6 bolt had almost 40 years of constant production , - vs less than 5 for the 5 bolt.

[CompClassics]

Other than the block, timing chain cover (5-bolt has a breather port that can be blocked with a freeze plug), bell housing and clutch slave cylinder bracket everything else on a 5-bolt is interchangeable with a 6-bolt.

[spl310]

Originally Posted by CompClassics

Other than the block, timing chain cover (5-bolt has a breather port that can be blocked with a freeze plug), bell housing and clutch slave cylinder bracket everything else on a 5-bolt is interchangeable with a 6-bolt.

There was a bracket for the clutch slave cylinder? Where to find such a piece?

[*13*]

I have the 5 bolt, a spare block & a CI Bellhousing. These are all essential if you want to go 5 Bolt. I'd suggest you find a CI Bellhousing before you go 5bolt. The blocks are still out there & often passed up. A clutch slave bracket is easily fabbed up.

[1985 CCX]

Original cars came with the std Ford ally bellhousing. Some rare comp stuff used Mag?? Why?

CI is great, still looking for one...........
Currently I am std Ford

[spl310]

What is CI?

[legenmetals]

Cast Iron!

[PDUB]

This is one of those decisions that only you can make... you need to determine how much originality is right for you within the bounds that it can never be truly original.

I would support doing what Jeff, Mark, Hyde, and I all did (even though Jeff and Mark suggest otherwise ) and go with the period correct 5-bolt block. They are out there, and, as has been said, nobody really wants them much anymore.

The Cobra bell housing is the hot ticket for this set up, but it is big money - $1K plus...

The tranny is a T-10, which are also available, but word is that they are not quite as robust as their replacement the toploader.

What you have is fine if you do not mind that it is less original... but still good.

[CompClassics]

I believe Jim Cowles is producing the clutch slave cylinder brackets in both 5-bolt and 6-bolt configurations.
CI, if you are speaking of the period Shelby "COBRA" scattershields they were actually cast steel not cast iron, they had to meet different sanctioning bodies safety requirements. Wedge Industries (the makers of the "COBRA" scattershield) and ANSEN were two of the major manufacturers of these cast steel bell housings.

[legenmetals]

I always look for an oppurtunity to post pictures of my 5 bolt 260 c.i. with all the trimmings. This is 1962 dated 260 with all of the Ford parts that originally came with the engine. They will go into CSX 8967.

I chose the 5 bolt because that was needed for the spirit of the build. You can see that this engine has the original cobra slave cylinder bracket for a five bolt. Look on E-Bay for 289 Shelby Cobra or Sunbeam Tiger for parts. Be ready to spend your $. Those original valve covers are hard to come by (I'm going to use the original steel covers) @ $800 retail,original slave bracket @ $800, bellhousing @ $1500-2000. I understand that the slave brackets are being re-cast without the part numbers.

If your build is about originality seek out the rare parts,for me thats half the fun of building. If not,then go six bolt with some aftermarket parts.

In the end it's all about what you desire is to build. Have fun.

[1985 CCX]

Very nice!
Puts me to shame.............

[legenmetals]

Thanks Jeff, Your build has been inspirational for my build.

[spl310]

legenmetals, that is pure porn there!!

[*13*]

Yes, nice 260!

[spl310]

Were any original 289 cars delivered with the 6 bolt? As I understand it, a few have had them retrofitted.

[legenmetals]

I noticed that their is a 5 bolt small block magnesium bell housing on E-bay at 999.99. This is the first one that I have seen for sale.