The 289 is a very successful, early model Ford V8 engine. It set the groundwork for the small blocks of the future for Ford. The late model Mustang 5.0 is modeled after this great engine. The 289 is a normally aspirated engine that is available with a choice of a two- or four-barrel carburetor. The distributor is camshaft-driven and located in the front of the engine, mounted in the intake manifold.
Clean the cylinder head intake ports and all adjacent areas, including the cross runners between cylinder heads that will make contact with the intake manifold. Make sure all foreign material is removed by scraping it off. Prepare the area by removing all grease and contaminants that could potentially prevent a good seal on the gasket. Spray the entire contact area with the brake cleaner and wipe dry. Brake cleaner is good for this because it removes oil and grease and leaves no residue.
Make sure the bottom of the intake manifold is clean as well,using the same cleaning method. Place a thin layer of RTV sealant around all the passages on both cylinder heads. Place the intake gaskets on the cylinder heads. Make sure the small lower extension on each end of the gasket touches the cross runners. Look at all the bolt holes and make sure they are aligned perfectly. The RTV will aid in supporting the gasket as it sets.
Run a ¼-inch bead of RTV sealant across the cross runners and bring the sealant up the side of the gasket 3/8 of an inch. This is to seal the corners of the intake manifold. Allow the sealant to skin until it does not stick to your finger with a light touch before proceeding. This is important for a good seal. The gasket kit comes with a rubber seal for the front and rear cross runners; however, very few mechanics will use the seals, for they tend to leak. The sealant will guarantee no leaks, if allowed to skin over.
Hold the intake manifold over the cylinder heads, but do not let it touch anything yet. Lower the manifold slowly, continuously watching and aligning the bolt holes as it is lowered. Once the manifold is down, push it back and to the front just a fraction of an inch to set the RTV.
Install all the bolts in the manifold. Tighten the center bolts first with a wrench. The tightening sequence should be from the center of the manifold working outward toward the ends. The center bolts are difficult to tighten with a socket--they need a wrench. The outer bolts can be tightened with a socket. The gasket is going to compress as it is tightened, so tighten it completely and wait about ten minutes and do it again. It is best to tighten all the bolts twice; tighten the third time either a few hours later or on the next day. If they are not re-tightened, they will become loose as the manifold gasket compresses.
