This time I am looking for advice on where to go from here. This may get long (SORRY).

For the car, it is a '68 Fairlane 500 fast back. It is totally unmolested and in great shape. It came stock with a 289 2BBL (64,000 miles), single exhaust and 3sp manual column shift. The biggest sucky factor was the 3sp.

I decided to go automatic so I would not have to do any cutting of the car. I also decided to go AOD so I could run a supper low rear gear. I am going to be running a 4.62:1 rear gear.

So, as of now I have three sets of heads. The stock '68 289 heads, the E5AE heads that are totally rebuilt and fresh, and a set of fully ported and polished E5AE heads that have a cracked exhaust seat. I bought the ported heads for roller tipped rockers and HP valve springs (they have about 50 miles on them).

The stock heads are worn out. They would need all new valves for sure. The only thing good about them is they yield 9.3:1 compression. However, they would take way too much $$$ to get into good shape.

The rebuilt E5 heads are actually in great shape. However, they have 69cc chambers compared to my 61cc stock chambers. This would be bad for compression.

The ported E5 heads "MAY" be able to be fixed, but that is risky. They would also still leave me with compression problems, though I know they flow great.

So, where do I go from here? I have been tossing around the idea of running a piston that would give me just over 9:1 with the E5 heads (I would like to be around 9.5:1). The idea here is that if I am going to do the bottom end, I can run any piston I want. So, really, what difference does it make?

On the other hand, I could get some E7 heads. The only thing is, redoing heads is expensive. One reason I wanted to go to late model heads was for the hard valve seats. The E5 heads I got are completely rebuilt and only cost me $200 w shipping (they were supposed to be E7 heads BTW). I really do not want to pay $150 for E7 heads then stick another 3-400 into them getting them redone.

Another thing I could do is get new GT40 "P" heads. The only problem is they take a special header. The header is designed for a late Mustang but I see no reason why I could not make them work. The problem here is, by the time I buy the heads and headers, I am in the price range of having the lower end redone, but without the redone lower end to show for it. In addition, the whole thing may not fit.

ARGGGGG, when I did my Cleveland a million years ago this stuff was easy.

So, I am here looking for suggestions. Cost is always a factor. I want a good strong motor when I am done. I am not looking to drag race this thing, though I may find myself at the track occasionally. In addition, I may put nitrous on it at some point (just for fun).

Thanks for any help,
B-loose

Compression should be no problem now, and these heads should be pretty good out of the box.

I may still redo the bottom end, but flat top pistons will be much cheaper.

Anyone interested in a really nice set of E5 heas???