I dont think there any special markings on a K code 289 block but I think 1963 might be a little early .. they did have 4 bolt mains vs the non K code 289s which had 2 bolt….I know my orig engine 1966 gt 350 which used a k code engine had the original ford vin number etc in the bottom of the engine near the oil pan …it was pretty faint might look for that
This came out of a 1963 Cobra I brought it over to a local guy yesterday to help me further id things. He had some really cool cars R Code Fairlane 500 M Code Thunderbird K Code Fairlane Cobra Cobra Jet
Theresould be an assembly date on front of block (Virginia Classic Mustang Blog: Just the Details...289 Engine Date Codes) Also look at other casting dates (intake, heads, flywheel). Some of the early 289HiPo had short VIN stamped on the block near the oil pan flange Need Help Identifying 64' 289 HiPo Block (saacforum.com) 289 Hi-Po Engine ID Guide (motortrend.com)
Does it have the mechanical advance only distributor with the oiling port on the shaft? Thicker harmonic balancer?
While the cast number was 1963…..the part number C4 is 1964 which makes it interesting since it came out of a 1963 Cobra. That said…..Shelby ran fast and loose when it came to mixing and matching parts. It also could have been a replacement engine. K code cars had the Hi-Po (High Performance) 289 which could identified by a larger harmonic balancer, early GT-40 cast iron heads and usually an aluminum intake. The block did not change until 1968. I have one of the original four bolt main blocks Ford made casted in 1967 with a 1968 part number. The block was made for the GT-40 program before the 427 became the go to engine. It was also sold through Shelby American as a replacement part. The first production use of the 4 bolt main block was in the 1969 and 1970 Boss 302 in support of the Trans Am program. Another way to identify these blocks was the use of screw in Freeze plugs.
For reference C40E-6015 decodes: C =Decade Letter (1960s) 4 =Year Number 0 =Vehicle Type (Fairlane) E =Engineering Group 6015 = Generic Part ID (Engine) That said.....Shelby American produced 580 260/289 Cobras from 1962 to 1965. They also produced 348 big block versions during that same period. Of particular note for @19633500GT ......the early Cobras came with the Ford 260 engine which only produced 164 horsepower in stock form and 260 horsepower in a Shelby Cobra. Many owners opted to switch engines to the 289 when they became available. The HiPo 289 came with 271 horsepower in stock form and up to 375 horsepower in a Shelby Cobra.
this is all I have Those are damn good notes! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
That looks liked someone put that block to good use! Those ARP main cap studs are not Ford items and added strength to the main caps. One other factoid: That is a six bolt block. That means it has six bolt holes for the bellhousing as opposed to 5 for the 260. So....if someone changed the engine.....the bellhousing would also have a later part number on it as well. You do know that block is looking for a new home.
Lol, it was certainly driven hard. One cylinder has been sleeved. I'm not sure it would even be rebuildable (in a sensible way), but my friends Dad has a '64 K Code Fairlane he wants to put this in. I have argued that he should start with a better base, find a proper crank, and be ahead of the game, but he's stubborn... His engine guy is supposed to inspect it next week, and if he chooses NOT to move forward...hmmm, I have been known to build coffee tables
It is rebuildable unless it is cracked. Then, he has a numbers matching 1964 K code Fairlane which will easily cover the machine work to get this in shape. Nobody cares about the engine internals so the crank, rods, pistons, cam and lifters are easily obtained. The heads on the other hand are not. Hopefully he has those so that those numbers match. Only 600 K code Fairlanes were made so it would bring over $100k if restored for auction ESPECIALLY if the numbers matched. If the numbers don't match......it is a $50k car restored so it is a big deal. The rarest part is the block followed by the heads (you have a Fairlane block) ............ (you can send me the commission check later ). Rebuildable period correct blocks go for serious money with the restoration crowd.
I had these guys examine it last week, http://carlquistengines.com He's the one who noted the sleeve. No cracks. I didn't realize as a "base" it would be so valuable to a/the right car. Now I'm ashamed at my asking price
They should have told you what it was worth to right buyer. They are in that business and they sell blocks for restorations. BTW I saw the sleeve as well.....that is not a big deal. Also, I did make one error ......on closer inspection you have a five bolt block instead of six. Here is your block on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265429293989?epid=1633587781&hash=item3dccd19ba5:g:5YIAAOSw7YRgToyc&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoHUBZAgS0b8yXx4etZ3II5sztJ4vZF5K0RQLCFekOJf+JEw7fP++hhJ2evaQDplqCWtICl6xgagkrrVx4Ul3PLbwTvE0DOSj+X/QTBI+CXtzwW0qFnrRVCtnrpSKEYI+4fAIl8qAWjb4B+EttM9ESqruQngKVzvIaK9BkIQ/WvoFd12DeFqXAaT4JfLOMIwe4kT23q/y4v7aDJPF/NRsRsA=|tkp:Bk9SR7bi5YnFYQ
