Was the first 389 in 1959?

Are all 389 blocks the same in the casting or are there some stronger 389 blocks, years that are better. (thickness of cylinder walls--main bolt cracking as the other post on 400).

Can 389 bore to 400, It looks like close to .060. Or plus another .030 on top of that makeing a total of .090. Are the cylinder walls thick enough (all years) I am thinking this is not a good idea. I may weaken the wall to much or run hotter.

I am thinking of searching 389 or the 400 motor for a Lemans or GTO driver.

thank you
stano

Was the first 389 in 1959?

Are all 389 blocks the same in the casting or are there some stronger 389 blocks, years that are better. (thickness of cylinder walls--main bolt cracking as the other post on 400).

Can 389 bore to 400, It looks like close to .060. Or plus another .030 on top of that makeing a total of .090. Are the cylinder walls thick enough (all years) I am thinking this is not a good idea. I may weaken the wall to much or run hotter.

I am thinking of searching 389 or the 400 motor for a Lemans or GTO driver.

thank you
stano

one problem is you have to be certain that the block is a 65-66 block as the early blocks have no provesion for the starter.NBD if you want to run a stick shift but to run a T350 or T400 you will need a adapter plate.Tom

64 GTO blocks and some big car blocks (GP) also
have the provision for the block starter mount system. Tom V.

http://kurtsplates.homestead.com/files/UR2SLO.jpg

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by stano:
Was the first 389 in 1959?

stano<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes.

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/files/77canam.jpg

Yes 59 was the first year. I had a 62- 389 punched out .125 with no problems.

I'm also looking for a 389 block for a '66 GTO. What exactly do I look for on a block to tell if it has the provision for the block starter mount system?

Thanks
Ken

Two holes in the block where the starter goes. Or a starter mounted to the block.

I think that you would be better of with a garden variety 400. The performance of these motors is based on heads, cam, intake and carb. The strength of the block is only crucial if you are going to be really beating on it with high rpms.

Your choice of upper end components should be directly related to whether you want to run 110+93, or straight 93 street gas, and how streetable a motor you want.

Plenty of choices to be made...