Has anyone used a 289 in a cruiser? I'm restoring a '65 mustang and have an extra 289 sittin around...since my 73 cruiser is still under powered with the boat anchor F motor, my brilliance said put the V-8 in there. Anyone have suggestions on tranny's and transfers? If i'm doinghis i'm changing everything. Any ideas would be appreciated.

I had a 289 in my cruiser for about 12 years (now a 302). You can mate it to a NP435, a T-18, or a C4 or C6. I use a NP435 in my cruiser.

Jeff

NP435 was my first choice, did you have any problems getting drive shafts to mate up with the axle diff's? Thats my main concern. Where did you grab your bell housing?

did you have any problems getting drive shafts to mate up with the axle diff's?

What do you mean? For many years I had the Toyota transfercase mated to the NP435, therefore the driveshaft flanges were the same on both ends. Then a few years ago I put the Dana 300 in, so I had to make shafts that had the spicer ends at the T-case and Toyota at the pinion ends. That was'nt any issue for me. And now I have Dana axles, so there just regular driveshafts with spicer yokes on both ends. Does that answer your question?

Bell housing, well I guess a junkyard will help ya out. Back when I had the 289 in I had a alluminum bell housing, but I broke it drag racing, so I replaced it with the cast steel housing that I have now. I think I got it from a junkyard.

Jeff

as far as the bellhousing goes, just get a tranny that was mated to a small block and your set. driveshafts are no problem. and transfers are adaptable, unless you want to run a dana 18-20 which came behind many of the ford trannies, and those came behind all the small blocks. just keep your eyes open at the scrapyards early broncos and f-100-150's will be good bets.

Got a 302/T18 in my cruiser. The Mark's kit is $900 from AA for mounting a ford to a cruiser tranny.

Thanks guys, just a future project i'm trying to plan out (and sell the wife on) I really want to go with a NP435 and a dana 300 transfer. I'll go junkyard searching soon to see what turns up.

i took my cruiser out for a drive today and i decided to try first gear low range and all i can say it that it is realy slow. you have got to love 60+ : 1 crawl ratios.

I used a t-18 and made a custom adapter to a toyota pickup transfer case. I would probably go with the jeep dana 20 because you can use a dana 18 output shaft on the dana 20 case, so you get the offset rear driveline. I have a friend who has a 350 chev, sm465, dana 20, front and rear Dana 60s and he has no problems with his T-case. he drives like a maniac too!!!

Dana 20 Tcases are a dime a dozen, I see them go for $50 all the time.

On that note, I'll have a dana 20 with adatper to mate to a ford t18 for sale soon.

Originally posted by Cruiser Ken
On that note, I'll have a dana 20 with adatper to mate to a ford t18 for sale soon.

hey let me know, my wife's dad goes to Idaho on a weekly, sometimes daily basis, i'll catch a ride with him and pick it up maybe.

wow guys, i found a T18 yesterday just asking around. This may turn out to be done by the end of summer! whoohooo!