Putting a 5 Bolt 289 into a Tiger 1a

[Bill and Deborah Guntsch]

Hey guys, new Tiger owner here. I have a nice Calif 1a (592) with the original 260. I will put the 260 aside and drop in a 5 bolt 289 that I will have rebuilt. I’ll be keeping the original close ratio top loader; putting on CAT headers (when they’re avail.); centerforce dual friction clutch & fly wheel; 3.07 posi; and change over to alternator. I was wondering if anyone has put together a list or wrote up a story of all the things that will not fit and need to be modified? I won’t be racing, just cruising around. Thanks for any advice out there.

Bill in Toledo

[Mark and Nancy Petri]

Welcome aboard!
Hopefully you will get some specific answers, there are plenty of these "swaps" around.
I thought that the biggest headaches with the swap was when changing to the "6-bolt" block, which requires bellhousing and clutch slave cyl changes (like on my car). Pretty sure that Tom Calvert has this [5-bolt hi-po 289] set-up, maybe the Jeffers’ also. The Tiger Auto gang in Dayton has surely been down this road, too.
A suggestion – since this forum is not exactly "hopping" with activity… an email or phone call to the right guy might get better response.

[George and Beverly and Beverly Coleman]

If you have a 5 bolt 289 it will bolt up no problem, the only thing I can think of that may give you a problem is when you put on a new water pump thats the only thing, and if you use a gen. set then the Tiger bracket must be used. Remeber that the stock Ford bracket is not the same as Tiger, it is Ford Forklift!

[Mark Lafayette]

Tom Hall has the best list that I’ve seen of part by part of what you will need.
M

[Bill and Deborah Guntsch]

quote COOLVT:

Tom Hall has the best list that I’ve seen of part by part of what you will need.
M

Thanks for that tip. I have spoken to Tom. I’ll pester him on this subject.

Bill

[Mark and Nancy Petri]

quote CaspianHIPO:

Hey guys, new Tiger owner here. I have a nice Calif 1a (592) with the original 260.

Bill in Toledo

Hopefully you are "on your way" to everything you need!
Is that 592 the last 3 of the Tiger’s s/n? That is less than 100 from our’s (688). What color is/was your car?

Mark

[Bill and Deborah Guntsch]

Hey Mark,

Yes, B382000592. Color code – 100. Mediterranean blue. Still blue and plan to keep it that way. Picked it up in N. Calif two months ago from a gentleman who has owned it since 1972. 100% survivor car EXCEPT for one repaint in 1985. Rust free! Still drives and handles well. But it is time for some improvements.

Bill

[Mark and Nancy Petri]

I’m sure it will "drive" even better with a 289 hi-po
Good luck with everything. Rust-free is always good!
Ours is "Forest Green", it is in 2 of the pix here:
viewtopic.php?f=59&t=2452

[rfraser]

I notice you stated you have the original 260 engine.

I’m conducting an Original Tiger Engine Study with respect to the Ford Casting numbers and Date codes. I hope you would be willing to assist me with the numbers on your original 260.

I can send you an email with the list of numbers I’m studying.

rfraser@bluefrog.com

The 5 bolt 289 should be straight forward you with just need to use the Tiger specific 260 engine parts on the 289 block.

[Bill and Deborah Guntsch]

Hey RFraser; sure I’ll share my Tigers numbers with you. I’ll send you an e-mail.

Bill in Toledo

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