Rebuilding Performance
Hello COLSON1230,
I agree with RUST OL RANGER with the following exceptoin: 2.8 pistons will increase your compression which the automatic doesn't make the most out of, so using 2.9L pistons is a better choice for you. Keith Black and a couple other companies make or will custom make you a set if you want to spend it.
For my BII I used Clevite 77 2.9L pistons .03 over, Sealed Power rings, I deburred/chamfered my rods and peened them, deburred/chamfered my crank had it polished, Dynacam camshaft, special grind for an automatic, all Clevite 77 bearings; had the whole thing balanced then added a Melling oil pump/pick up and a JET computer chip.
I had a stage 2 port and polish job performed on my intake manifolds and heads, I used reduced weight lifters, push rods and rockers (the rockers are increased lift 1.57's [deburred/chamfered and balanced} with free flow rocker spacers) and a custom K+N air intake. One thing I will do different on my next 2.9 is to use lighter race flow valves I reconditioned mine.
I used JBA headers, with jackets, a custom 2.5" stainless steel mandrel bent exhaust with a Borla XR1 muffler and a free flow cat.
To cool, I have an Auto Explorer radiator, oil cooler, lower temp. thermostat and switch, dual transmission coolers and use Lucas with synthetic oil; I also fabricated stainless steel coolant lines except to and from the radiator, which has Goodyear Hi Milers.
One of the trickiest evolutions in this rebuild is taking the time to properly adjust the rockers, then after breaking in the engine readjusting/checking them: take time and get help if you are not familiar with this process, it is the difference between a smooth as silk running Ford 2.9L and and noise machine.
Since you are deciding to rebuild, the most important choice will be your cam; Ford obviously didn't do too bad but there is more torque to be made . I could have had a H.O. V8 for less $ (and them some) than I spent but what I wanted I could buy, I had to build!
gaz