New engine options 66 Mustang

Hey guys, my brother and I have had a 66 Mustang for quite a while but at some point one of us neglected to completely open the petcocks on the block and have a cracked block as a result. Of course, not happy at all but after it sitting dormant for a few years I'm getting the itch to get the boat running again.
I'd like to stay classic-ish but at the same time would like reliability - it was always a bit of a chore to get and keep it running. It's a reverse rotation engine 289 Ford, and while I replaced the carb before the cracked block, I'm not opposed to a fuel injected engine because it always seemed like the rear plugs were on the verge of hydro lock while the front plugs were quite dry. I figure a port type injection system will address that issue.
Additionally, the raw water pump elements have disintegrated and rebuild kits for that model pump (cast oil pan mounted/belt driven) are NLA.

Essentially, what it boils down to is I feel like I have an opportunity to start fresh and integrate 50+ years of basic advancements to where it's a turn-key toy, not a day long operation to get it running to spend a day on the lake.

I've spent several hours looking around on the internet but it seems the majority of people keep things bone stock/as built. Is it really that uncommon to update the fuel system, electrical, and cooling systems to semi modern standards? I guess I'm trying to not completely reinvent the wheel if people have been there/done that. Because the boat's only 16' it doesn't need much power - I'm thinking low 200s. Any more would probably overpower the frame rails anyway.

Thanks!

Andy

I don't think you have to go nuts.

Good fuel filtration, new carb, hot spark fresh damper, good HT wires, reliable manifolds gets one a reliable engine without FI.

Not going to find a 220hp FI powerplant anyway

That's funny, I'm sure we probably work for the same company then.

Cool boat. That trailer is something else though!

Are you sure it's a 289 and not a 260? What's the distance between the top two bolts on the bell housing?

Tim D wrote: Are you sure it's a 289 and not a 260? What's the distance between the top two bolts on the bell housing?

The same crossed my mind.

Indeed, stringers as Pete advised!

Also, 260/289/ 302 all have the same deck height, so that external measurement would be inconclusive.


(221,260,289 share same stroke, 289,302 share same bore)

8122pbrainard wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: GottaSki wrote: You can put an early 302 block and use all your RH inards. The blocks are the same. _1 BTW, before you continue, how are the stringers?

The stringers are in great shape, - the whole boat is. Minus the engine...

It could use a refresh of the gel coat but it's a 50 year old boat.

8122pbrainard wrote: amesser325 wrote: The stringers are in great shape, - the whole boat is. Minus the engine... That's great to hear but I'm curious on how you checked them?

Visual - looking for cracks/damage and dark spots through the glass, plus hammer taps and trying to flex them with pry bars.

260,289 & 302 everything swaps, heads, intake, crank, cam etc. The 260 has a different bell housing bolt pattern. I've seen several boats people think they have a 289 but it's a 260. When my 66 cracked in '98 from a casting flaw, I put a 302 in it. Bored out to a 310, Keith Black pistons, roller rockers plenty of power. Going with something different means motor mount and dog box solutions.

amesser325 wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: Andy, Do you know why the hull has been bottom painted? Did it sit in water for extended times? Never knew that wasn't stock. We bought it from the original owner in the 90s. He had it on a lake full time so he might have painted it for that reason. Thanks, Andy

It looks like he tried making it a Classic. Isn't that how they looked?

Looking at the brochures for 65 and 66, I guess it could be either. I figured 66 Mustang based on the colors and power levels (there's a 210HP sticker on the valve cover), but it could be a 65 Classic. The only marking on the stringer is the build code AM1433 but there doesn't seem to be any good internet records available until they standardized with 'CTCxxxx'.
The paint on the bottom does kinda look like it was taped on with bleed-thru on the pinstripe line. I was thinking even back then they would have a crisp line because they put the color in the gel coat when they laid the boat up but I'm not too worried about it. It's a great little boat that I want to get running with a sexy sounding ~200HP V8 in it.

Thanks all for the responses and discussions. I'm sure I"ll have more as I dig into it!

Andy