I have now bought 2 Edelbrock products for the Mustang 289.
First is the Edelbrock 500cfm (1404) - 4 valve carburettor. I have got fed up with the Holley, it's old, and is basically rubbish. So I have bitten the bullet and gone for a recommended Edelbrock set up. And isn't it lovely !!!!
The 2 larger valves (at the top of the second pic) do not open until 3 quarter throttle, when vacuum is high, then WOOOOOOSH ! Mixture is still running a little rich, I'll sort that out soon.
Straight out of the box. View of the 4 valves from above
Second item is an Edelbrock Performer 289 intake manifold, No. 2121. Again, isn't it lovely and clean !
What a shame to hide them under the hood.
Problem 1 - Thermostat
Early 289 inlet manifolds, have the thermostat housing recess in the inlet, not the housing. The Edelbrock inlet has no recess. I managed to make a couple of thick gaskets and with mastic, which sealed the joint. There is available from NPD, a later thermostat housing, with the recess for the thermostat in the housing, which I have on order. March '65 - '66 289 motors, already have this recessed housing fitted, I think, so don't quote me on that. NPD part No. 8592-9 $13.95
Problem 2 - Throttle linkage
The different size and shape of the Edelbrock carburettor, means a new throttle linkage had to be made, similar, but longer than the original. Not quite got it right, kick down bend is to far away from lever, so the Mk2 is on the way. When making a linkage, try and keep it looking the same as original, it worked for 35 years! The carb is very sensitive to throttle movement, and takes a bit of getting used to, so beware. First time I went into reverse, span the wheels a teeny weeny bit (ok, it was a lot!).
Problem 3 - Vacume pipes
With auto box and power breaks, the vacuum take off at the back of the inlet, is now vertical, not at 45deg. So both vacuum pipes will have to be bent to be out of the way when the air filter is installed, as there is no-longer a spacer under the carb. When bending the auto box vacuum pipe(smaller one of the 2), if this is a '64 or early'65 C4 box, with rubber pipe fitting at the C4 end, check that the rubber pipe has not fallen off, or bent flat. If it has, you will never get top gear, as there is no vacuum for the box. Mine bent flat, and hell it is annoying !
Problem 4 - PCV pipes and valve
Well, not so much a problem, more of a get around. The PCV inlet to the carb is on the front not the back, so just blanked it off with a big piece of pipe and a bolt masticed in, already used it on the old carb. So I fitted a small K&N filter into the top of the left valve cover. Remove the PCV valve altogether or you will get a pressurised crank case, and oil will come out of everywhere !
Problem 5 - Air Filter
Since there is no spacer under the carb, the original large gold coloured air filter, is too low and hits the auto box kick down lever. Nothing you can do about this, so I had to buy a chrome 14x3 inch round air filter, and a whole lot more decals for it.
Above is the new air filter installed, and little K&N on left valve cover.
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Updated 31st July , 2001