How To Build A Budget 289

Marvin strongly suggests degreeing your camshaft because cam cards rarely match actual cam timing events. The reason for this is variations in camshafts, cam and crank sprockets, and timing chains. First, find true top dead center (TDC) and get crank travel smack in the middle of TDC. Next, dial in the camshaft timing events as they relate to piston travel via crank sprocket adjustment or cam sprocket offset bushings.

Fuel pump eccentric clearance from the timing cover is something easily overlooked. Rarely does anyone check it. You want at least 0.060-inch clearance between eccentric and timing cover.

The oil slinger is designed to keep oil away from the crankshaft oil seal and sling oil onto the timing set. However, if you are running a dual roller timing set, do not use the oil slinger because it will interfere with the chain links. Oil drain back from heads and valley, plus splash and spray, will adequately lubricate the timing set.

When Marvin was planning out this 289 stroker, he wanted the most performance available for his customer's investment dollar. That's why he asked for Holley Systemax cylinder heads and Weiand induction. This is the #300-173 cylinder head casting designed for stud-mount rocker arms (like original equipment). If you want pedestal mount rocker arms, ask for #300-551-2.

The Holley Systemax cylinder head sports 1.90/1.60-inch stainless steel intake/exhaust valves, perfect for a mild street stroker Mustang with 331ci of displacement.

We're using Weiand's Action-Plus #8124 dual-plane aluminum intake manifold for 289/302 Fords for our budget stroker. Here, it sports Marvin's MCE Black treatment with shaved graphics. Marvin also port-matched the manifold and cylinder heads for streamlined airflow. Note what Marvin has done to the intake plenum for improved flow beneath the Holley #0-080670 Street Avenger carburetor.

Here's the Holley Street Avenger with 670cfm on tap for both street and weekend drag racing performance. Also shown is an Earl's fuel manifold and Holley #HLY-12-833 fuel pump, also available from Holley Performance Products, which doesn't require a regulator.

Marvin opted for a high-flow water pump for his 331-inch street small-block. As you might expect from MCE Engines, all passages have been massaged to reduce fluid turbulence.

MCE Engines Quick Tip
Be Easy On Yourself
Spend a few hours with Marvin McAfee and you learn quickly how to get the job done properly. If you've ever used a large hammer and a lot of force to install a harmonic balancer, Marvin has a better idea that won't leave you exhausted and your balancer damaged. Marvin placed the Ford Racing 28-ounce harmonic balancer in boiling water so the heat would expand the hub for easier crankshaft installation. Let it boil for 15-30 minutes. Then, using gloves and engine assembly lube on the crank and hub, install the balancer using the well-oiled damper bolt and washer.

No, this balancer didn't just come out of boiling water or you would still hear Marvin yelling. It's strictly a demonstration shot before Marvin placed the balancer in hot water, but you get the idea. When it is scalding hot, the balancer will slip right onto the crankshaft without excessive force. Just run the bolt down and torque to specifications.

Marvin uses just one gasket brand on his engines -- Fel-Pro. Shown here is the Fel-Pro Print-O-Seal head gasket for optimum sealing. When you're running aluminum cylinder heads, you want head gaskets designed for aluminum heads. If you choose head gaskets for iron heads, you could damage your aluminum heads.

We like Marvin's personal touches to Holley/Weiand castings to make his work distinctive. This is something you can do to your performance castings as well to help them stand out. Marvin does it in MCE Black, however you can do this with any color.