Holman - Moody Small Block ?

[tkb289]

Still exploring the different motor options for my ERA 289 FIA build. Wondering if anyone is running a Holman - Moody 289 / 302 small block in their car?

If so ... some questions:


- How do you like it ... how does it run?

- Any issues?

- Where did you purchase it?

- How is it set up ...

- Carb
- Intake Manifold
- Cam
- Lifters
- Distributor
- Oil Pan

- Comments ... Suggestions?



Thanks!

- Tim

[tkb289]

Thought I would kick this one back up to the top of the heap ... did not get any replies the first time ... a bit of a surprise

I believe that Holman - Moody was going to provide some motors to Superformance for some of their cars.

So no one is running a Holman - Moody motor?

[Woodz428]

It may be that you got no responses because no one has an H-M SB. I checked out the thread from curiosity...I didn't realize H-M did SBs. I know they did in the early 60s for some of the Ford rally/drag cars, but I thought they were only doing FEs now, with maybe an exception for one of their old cars that is being restored. I know they produce H-M valve covers for SBs, but I don't know anyone that runs their engine.
How is it that you have an interest in one, since I'm more familiar with their FEs?
The engine builders are much more plentiful than they were in the H-M heyday and it is a very competitive market. It may be that the more recognized "current" builders get most of the business.
I see this is in the SB forum, you may want to post it in a forum with more exposure...All Cobra Talk.. or something like that.

[tkb289]

WDZ,

Why do I ask ... just a matter of curiosity more than anything else.

I have some printed literature from Superformance for their GT40R program and in that they advertise a H-M Competition 289 motor, which is actually a Boss 302, as noted in their on line motor spec (see below).


http://gt40racing.com/racing/Engines.html


I know these motors are primarily intended as a race / high performance street motor for the GT-40, but would imagine that one of these might show in a Cobra at some point. For my project, it's probably not the best choice, just wondering if anyone out there has put one into a Cobra. Based on the response so far, they answer is no and in reality, not very likely.

[Jim Kellogg]

I watched Dennis Olthoff race the GT40R last fall at Watkins Glen at the SVRA races, and am sure that he is running a H-M small block.

He ran VERY well - running right with the Group 7 cars with much more displacement.

Give Dennis a call. I am sure he can give you some real world feedback.
http://www.olthoffracing.com/
704-647-9924

hope this helps,
Jim Kellogg

[Dangerous Doug]

Slightly off topic, Tim, but I came across my engine comparison spreadsheet recently. I looked at Roush, KC, Ford Racing, "Local Knucklehead" and so on. I cannot remember if I had sent this to you, but it may help frame the engine problem for you.

Let me know if you'd like to get a copy. You know where to find me.

DD

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

Slightly off topic, Tim, but I came across my engine comparison spreadsheet recently. I looked at Roush, KC, Ford Racing, "Local Knucklehead" and so on. I cannot remember if I had sent this to you, but it may help frame the engine problem for you.

Let me know if you'd like to get a copy. You know where to find me.

DD

Does include paint samples and codes from each engine source? Tim will want to know what shade of color to paint his block and heads.

Take it easy Tim. I'm just kidding.

[Rick Parker]

Local "Knucklehead" (LOL) surely represented the highest horsepower for the lowest price?

[Dangerous Doug]

"Local Knucklehead" offered no HP estimate, no guarantee, had a reputation for excessive cost overruns, and was higher priced than a stroked Roush. He's a star in his own mind---the rest of the world just hasn't realized his glory.

Thus, the monicker, "local knucklehead". Otherwise, to remain unnamed.

DD

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

Slightly off topic, Tim, but I came across my engine comparison spreadsheet recently. I looked at Roush, KC, Ford Racing, "Local Knucklehead" and so on. I cannot remember if I had sent this to you, but it may help frame the engine problem for you.

Let me know if you'd like to get a copy. You know where to find me.

DD

Doug,

As a matter of fact I do have your spread sheet (thanks) and have referred to it many times. Set up like a true engineer ... the $/HP is particularly interesting (Local Knucklehead did not fare too well in this category ).

Some of the dollar values have probably changed a bit since you put this together, but I would suspect the relative differences a just as valid now, as then.

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Does include paint samples and codes from each engine source? Tim will want to know what shade of color to paint his block and heads.

Take it easy Tim. I'm just kidding.

Rodney,

Good observation ... I probably WILL want paint codes, what the heck ...

This actually leads me to a question ... Are aluminum heads ever painted? Can they be painted ... does the paint stick? ( How is that for a question )

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by tkb289

Rodney,

Good observation ... I probably WILL want paint codes, what the heck ...

This actually leads me to a question ... Are aluminum heads ever painted? Can they be painted ... does the paint stick? ( How is that for a question )

Yes and yes. Steve, PANAVIA, I believe has his Edelbrocks painted on his new 428 build.

[Caprimaniac]

X-cuse me if I'm wrong, but didn't H-M make up som very ltd. SB's? I know they did a very, very interesting kind of heads: they put weber carbs where the exhaust use to be (Directly into the heads; no manifolds) and the exhaust in the centre of the block. Made equal length & corect pairing exhaust manifold as well.

Oh; I am wrong. It was Gurney- Weslake http://www.bacomatic.org/~dw/engine/...ney/gurney.htm. Well, I remember H-M did something spectacular as well..... But what?

[icrashalot]

Hi Guys, I have an H-M 289 engine in my 16-foot Shiada inboard/outboard with a penta 270 outdrive. It's a good set up and I've just recently purchased the boat from a friend. I got it as a basket case, it was taken apart for painting and was never finished until recently. When I first got the boat I put it together only temporarily as I was going to finish it but first, I needed to know if it ran. After getting it together and running it, I took it out on the water and it ran okay but wasn't right, I came back home and made some changes, and then I went back out a few weeks later. This time it ran great with no issues, so I came home and tore it back apart to finish the paint. it was primer before. So while I had the motor out, I took the intake off and did some things, and put it back together. I did a hurry-up job(****ty) putting the intake back together only to have it detonate and mess the starter and ring gear up because the cylinders were full of water. I know stupid ass, hurry up ****ty work and I'm paying for it. But the positive side is I did the head gaskets and the whole top end so I got to see how little of time was put on this engine. It was super clean inside, with no sludge at all. But I must say I was disappointed to find it was pretty much all-stock except for the hi-rise Cobra intake manifold it has. Nothing special about the heads, the valves weren't oversized and you could fit a pencil between the valves. But other than that I like the motor,(especially since I am a Chevy man all the way) I know very little about fords. Now remember I said I knocked the starter out when it detonated on me? so I pulled the starter out to find that it takes a special starter for the Holman and Moody engine. It has a different gear or something because when we put a stock Ford starter in and tried it, it locked the starter up. It was bound up in there, so after 2 or 3 starters I found someone who was familiar with it and hooked us up. I went looking for the guy only to find out he retired and no one else knew anything about it. Now i want to change the ring gear to a stock one so I can use a stock starter. So that is where I am with this motor. I should be out there taking measurements instead of being here on this computer. Lol I got to go.
If anyone knows what I'm talking about here please feel free to jump in, I really need to know why they put a different starter and ring gear in these motors, and can I change it to a stock Ford OEM starter and ring gear? Thanks for letting me share. See-yea

[icrashalot]

Originally Posted by tkb289

Still exploring the different motor options for my ERA 289 FIA build. Wondering if anyone is running a Holman - Moody 289 / 302 small block in their car?

If so ... some questions:


- How do you like it ... how does it run?

- Any issues?

- Where did you purchase it?

- How is it set up ...

- Carb
- Intake Manifold
- Cam
- Lifters
- Distributor
- Oil Pan

- Comments ... Suggestions?



Thanks!

- Tim

Hey, Tim I just saw your questions and so I will do my best to answer them. First is the carb is a double pump, Holley. Nothing special. Intake is a Cobra Hi-rise manifold. I didn't degree the cam so I can't comment on the cam but the lifters are just hydraulic lifters. No roller lifters, nothing at all to make me think hi-performance. Distributor? It has a stock dist in it because the HMI dist won't work on this motor using that intake manifold. Dist is too big and won't sit down in there like it is supposed to. The whole thing is kinda depressing really. Nothing special except for it has a 10-quart oil pan on it. Hope this helps, also I did a longer assessment below.

[incoming]

I have a realllly cute Russian GF. I'll leave it at that.

[eschaider]

You do know this thread is over 10 years old since the last posting, right?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by eschaider

You do know this thread is over 10 years old since the last posting, right?

From the way he writes, I'm doubtful

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by icrashalot

Hey, Tim I just saw your questions and so I will do my best to answer them. First is the carb is a double pump, Holley. Nothing special. Intake is a Cobra Hi-rise manifold. I didn't degree the cam so I can't comment on the cam but the lifters are just hydraulic lifters. No roller lifters, nothing at all to make me think hi-performance. Distributor? It has a stock dist in it because the HMI dist won't work on this motor using that intake manifold. Dist is too big and won't sit down in there like it is supposed to. The whole thing is kinda depressing really. Nothing special except for it has a 10-quart oil pan on it. Hope this helps, also I did a longer assessment below.

Hello icrashalot,

First and foremost, welcome to Club Cobra!

Thank you for the feedback regarding my question about Holman - Moody Small Blocks and the experience you have with the motor in your boat. As noted above, this thread is over 10 years old, but for those that are interested, I can provide an update.

I selected Tom Lucas, FE Specialties, to build a small block for my ERA FIA. Details and some photos can been seen in my build thread. Page 14, post 263.

ERA 2136 Build Log

The car has been on the road for about 11 years now and I absolutely love it, each and every time I fire it up and head out for a drive. Motor runs great and suits the car well and I am very happy with the overall build, both the motor and the car.

Best of luck with your projects, is there a Cobra in your future?


- Tim

[Alfa02]

Nice gentle reply Tim, I've done the same thing, never realized a post was old, till good 'Ol Bill S., Ed, or Tony pointed it out Keep's us on our toes, Cheers Tom.