260 Windsor Rebuild

[Ford Compact 1963]

So as many of you know engine is coming out this weekend and many thanks for all top level knowledge and advice. I was told best to create a new thread about the rebuild procedure.

1. Trans will be rebuilt by a specialist in NSW
2. Engine is still a grey area in who will do the rebuilt and do it right ! Any Sydney people recommended? As engine will be out and taken to them how do they test after rebuild and ensure all is ok?
3. Want to keep the engine look original however would like advice of what can be done internally to give some more torque and HP creating that supurb Windsor burble.the car will run always on 98.

Thank you

[shaunp]

So as many of you know engine is coming out this weekend and many thanks for all top level knowledge and advice. I was told best to create a new thread about the rebuild procedure.

1. Trans will be rebuilt by a specialist in NSW
2. Engine is still a grey area in who will do the rebuilt and do it right ! Any Sydney people recommended? As engine will be out and taken to them how do they test after rebuild and ensure all is ok?
3. Want to keep the engine look original however would like advice of what can be done internally to give some more torque and HP creating that supurb Windsor burble.the car will run always on 98.

Thank you

Its a 260 its not going to make big power, best way to make more power will be to run a 302 block but I suspect your block will be 5 bolt rear where it bolts to the auto, so you would need to go to a C4 box. With the original engine really all to can do fit a small torque cam like a Comp Cams Extreme energy 250 or 256. The heads on a 260 are very restrictive 289 heads have larger valves and would allow some extra flow, or you could have them fit 351 Windsor valves, I assume you will  have them do the unleaded conversion with hard seats in the heads. You could also fit an Edelbrock performer intake manifold and a small 4 barrel carb like a Holley 465cfm, this, the cam, and bigger valves will wake it up. Personally I'd swap it out for a 302 and c4. These are a very basic engine any engine reco shop should have no issue reconditioning it

[barnett468]

.
how much money do you have . . big power will not be cheap?

do you have a 4v intake?.

if not, are you willing to change to a cast iron ford one?

are you willing to run different cast iron heads?

are you willing to run an aluminum intake?

are you willing to run cast iron hipo exhaust manifolds?

i had a 260 stroked to 292 with cast iron ford heads that had 320 hp, lol . . it was a blast
.

[Ford Compact 1963]

.
how much money do you have . . it will not be cheap?

do have a 4v intake . . if not are you willing to change to a cast iron ford one?

are you willing to run different cast iron heads?

are you willing to run an aluminum intake?

are you willing to run cast iron hipo exhaust manifolds?

i had a 260 stroked to 292 with cadt iron ford heads that had 320 hp, lol . . it was a blast
.

Basically the car runs now engine quiet as a mouse but we thought best to have full reco and while at it do some enhancements. The intake now is a 2 Barel stock everything

[barnett468]

Basically the car runs now engine quiet as a mouse but we thought best to have full reco and while at it do some enhancements. The intake now is a 2 Barel stock everything

...creating that supurb Windsor burble.the car will run always on 98.

ok but you haven't answered any questions so no one will be able to offer informed suggestions . . you can stroke it and make a monster out of it or just get a mild 30 hp increase out of it etc.

a monster might cost you $6000.00.

if you just want burble, put a cam in it and some compression and dual 2 1/4" exhaust and some flowmaster single chamber super 10 mufflers.

[GLENN 70]

Wow if its running ok and quite as a mouse LEAVE IT ALONE .   If you want more power build another engine on the side and a C 4 auto  ,and a least a 302 .  Don't bother with the 260 at all ,you will be just wasting your money ,and who cares if its not the original engine and trans .

[GLENN 70]

A 260 even with a baby baby cam and a 4 barrel with a 2 speed auto just won't work .

[peter9231]

Wow if its running ok and quite as a mouse LEAVE IT ALONE .   If you want more power build another engine on the side and a C 4 auto  ,and a least a 302 .  Don't bother with the 260 at all ,you will be just wasting your money ,and who cares if its not the original engine and trans .

I agree with Glenn,
Leave it alone....Don't waste your money.

[Ford Compact 1963]

Why will it not work ? Yes but it is a bit smokey so is this not worth a rebuild ?

[barnett468]

Why will it not work ? Yes but it is a bit smokey so is this not worth a rebuild ?

you still haven't answered any questions.

if you want faster acceleration, the best way to achieve that is by installing numerically higher gears.

is your trans a 2 or 3 speed? . . if its a mustang its a 3 speed.

[Ford Compact 1963]

Sorry if unclear

Not after a rocket ship after a bit more power and staying with the 2 speed they are a great box and I'm being told sort after

[barnett468]

Sorry if unclear

Not after a rocket ship after a bit more power and staying with the 2 speed they are a great box and I'm being told sort after

please answer all of these..

are you staying with a 2 barrel intake or will you switch to a 4v?

it will cost you around $900.00 to rebuild and upgrade your heads, is this ok?

are you willing to change your rear gear ratio?

[Ford Compact 1963]

please answer all of these..

are you staying with a 2 barrel intake or will you switch to a 4v?

it will cost you around $900.00 to rebuild and upgrade your heads, is this ok?

are you willing to change your rear gear ratio?

Yes at this point 2 BRL
Yes rebuild heads ok to do if required ?
No change gear ratio

[barnett468]

Yes at this point 2 BRL
Yes rebuild heads ok to do if required ?
No change gear ratio

ok, i will be back in a couple minutes.

[GEOFF289]

I have nothing to offer compared to the very knowledgeable fellas already contributing. However, given that you say its a bit smoky your 52 year old 260 is likely to be down on compression with rings and/or valve seating issues, ie leaks. Just rebuilding it back to good health with good and even compression on all 8 will probably wake it up quite noticeably. If any of this other stuff being suggested like a different cam is within your budget and makes sense on the advice of these guys this would be the time to do it.

[barnett468]

.
Ok check this budget semi stroker out which will have substantially more hp and tq . . it is far from a tire roasting high revving combo . . it will increase your hp and tq EVERYWHERE in the rpm range and it will only cost around $650.00 more than a box stock rebuild.

Go to a crank grinder and buy a pre 1984 302 crank . . it might be around $350.00 . . you can also look on craigs list . . might find one for $100.00 that needs grinding . . there should be several around because people yank them out to make strokers . . this will make it a 272 ci with a standard bore and a 276 with a .030” over bore.

your crank will need regrinding anyway so all you are out is around $100.00 for a used core 302 crank.

you may also find one if you place a wanted add on the forum for one or just start a thread in this section asking for one . . same with the rods . . glenn, shaunp or boofhead might even have one or know where one is . . you could pm them and ask.

PS - 276 ci is more than half way to a 289. 


CONNECTING RODS

Buy used 302 rods . . should find some for maybe $70.00, or better yet, buy the ones below

$220.00 usd

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sca-25090p/overview/make/ford


PISTONS

Ford 3.8 thunderbird supercoupe pistons [or 260 stroker pistons]1.615 compression height 13 cc .912 pin . . these will be at exactly 0 deck height on a stock block . . $400.00 usd

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wis-pt113a2/overview/


ROCKER STUDS

Put pins in them . . if you don’t your studs will pull up . . the pin kit is only $10.00 and fairly easy to install.


VALVES

Buy stock non rail rocker type 289 valves . . they will be more than big enough for your app and will not cost much extra in labor to install and your old valves may be worn out anyway so its almost a free upgrade

260 valves . . . in 1.59 . ex 1.39
289 valves . . . in 1.67 . ex 1.45


EXHAUST MANIFOLDS

260 thru 302 are all the same size so your stockers will be “ok”.


CYLINDER HEADS

have them milled to 49 cc's . . this will give you 9.0 compression with all the parts i mentioned . . you currently have around 8.6.

have them do a 3 angle cut on the seats and "back cut" the intake valve . . this will increase power and shouldn't cost much more than a standard valve job.


CAMSHAFT

$117.00

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-31-230-3/overview/make/ford


VALVE SPRINGS

buy comp cam springs to match the cam . . the ones below are for that cam . . $61.00

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-942-16


SPRING RETAINERS

$54.00

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-768-16


VALVE LOCKS

$18.00

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-601-16


LIFTERS

Comp lifters SUCK . . I use cranes $93.00

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/crn-99280-16/overview/make/ford


ROCKER ARMS

if your rocker arms are worn on the tip at all, you need new ones . . i would buy the comp roller tips below because they are EXACTLY the same price as a set of stock ford replacement rocker arms.

$160.00

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-1442-16/overview/make/ford


DISTRIBUTOR AND IGNITION TIMING

1. buy the springs below and replace only the heavy stock ford spring with one of these . . leave the lighter stock spring in place.

$6.00

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mrg-925d/overview/make/ford

2. unplug the distributor vacuum advance hose.

3. set the initial timing at 10 degrees btdc.

4. reconnect the hose to ported vacuum on the lower right side of carb.


CARBURETOR

Your stocker is a bit small . . you can buy a used orig 2 barrel cheap and use that . . your carb should have 1.01 on the side as shown below . . you want one that says 1.08 or 1.14

start with #52 main jets on any ford carb you use.

[barnett468]

So as many of you know engine is coming out this weekend and many thanks for all top level knowledge and advice. I was told best to create a new thread about the rebuild procedure.

1. Trans will be rebuilt by a specialist in NSW

since you are increasing your hp, i would consider having the trans built with performance parts . . the high perf discs and bands are only around $60.00 more than regular good discs . . ask him to firm up the shift also if you want it more solid.

a common brand of high perf discs and bands is red alto and kolene . . bosch also has decent discs for stock type rebuilds and cost a few dollars less.

[Ford Compact 1963]

since you are increasing your hp, i would consider having the trans built with performance parts . . the high perf discs and bands are only around $60.00 more than regular good discs . . ask him to firm up the shift also if you want it more solid.

a common brand of high perf discs and bands is red alto and kolene . . bosch also has decent discs for stock type rebuilds and cost a few dollars less.

Mate your knowledge is fantastic credit to you and the other posts too are solid. Remember I'm new to this so I am digesting this all. Links would help or my trans guy should know he was saying front seal might only need doing then adjustment of linkages to remove slop on colum

[barnett468]

Mate your knowledge is fantastic credit to you and the other posts too are solid. Remember I'm new to this so I am digesting this all. Links would help or my trans guy should know he was saying front seal might only need doing then adjustment of linkages to remove slop on colum

thanks.

so he is not going to rebuild it?

does it shift soft into second?

you obviously do not have a mustang so what do you have?

if he is a good tranny guy he will know exactly what i am talking about . . my experience with tranny guys is that most are a bit testy/grumpy and get annoyed easily, lol.


as far as the engine stuff goes, believe me it is nothing exotic . . it is all box stock parts . . it just looks overwhelming to you because it is a long list and you aren't familiar with engine stuff . . if you show this to any builder, they will say "ok where is the hard part?".

if you order the parts yourself it will cost you less.

[shaunp]

I've got a 66 289 intake and 2 barrel here you can have, if thats any bigger.

[barnett468]

I've got a 66 289 intake and 2 barrel here you can have, if thats any bigger.

generous offer!

the intake is the same but the 289 and 302 carbs are bigger.

just curious, what is the size on the side of the float bowl?

[barnett468]

.
hey ford compact 63 . . like i mentioned, these parts are so common people are even willing to give them away.

if you post a thread for a 302 crank and rods someone might even pay you to to take em away. 

[shaunp]

generous offer!

the intake is the same but the 289 and 302 carbs are bigger.

just curious, what is the size on the side of the float bowl?

133 does that sound right?

[barnett468]

133 does that sound right?

yes that is absolutely right...for a 390.

there are numbers on the left side of the base near the front also.

[shaunp]

yes that is absolutely right...for a 390.

there are numbers on the left side of the base near the front also.

60L