Was looking at a 64 1/2 289 engine and the valve cover was labeled "SPECIAL" . Anyone have any info on this engine? Just by looking I could tell it has a 2bbl that looks like a 4bbl with one side blanked off ! And it excepts a 5 bolt bell housing. Any other info would be appreciated, as I'm new to Fords and trying to educate myself on the history. I looked online but couldn't find anything related to a 289 "SPECIAL". I know someone on this board will know. Thanks , Darrel
Might have something to do with it being a very early 289. 64 model cars were mainly 260 cars. If you see a 289 with factory chrome valve covers, that is the one to pine for. Dave Btw: Could try www.stangnet.com , there is a classic forum that would be perfect for this question.
Have to watch early 289's they have a differant bolt pattern on the bell housing. Newer transmissions won't bolt up to it. They changed to the now standard patten in 1965
Did not think there was a 289 for the 64.5 Mustangs?? Actually did they even offer a V8 for the 64.5 stang??
A long, long time ago I had a 64 1/2 Mustang coupe that had a 289 high Po motor, 4 bbl and a 3 speed on the floor. The car was absolute junk and I never got it titled. Looking back on it I'm not totally sure if it was the original motor or not, but it sure could move!
There is nothing 'special' about a '289 special'. They were not hot rods or beefier. I believe they showed up in cars with base trim packages that usually carried straight 6's. At least that's my visual experience.
I know the 289 was available in 64 so a early mustang could have one. I'm not sure when the 260 was dropped. Anyone remember the predecessor to the 260? I thinlk it was a 223 or something.
The 289 special was a HI-PO 289, IT had screw in rocker studs, closed chamber heads. Factory 4 barrell intake, Better flowing ex. manifolds. High nickel content block, 1m birnell test crank shaft, mechanical camshaft, 10.5 compression, 3/8 inch rod bolts. this engine was produced from 1964-67, 271 hp @ 6000 rpm. A friend of mine had one in high school in a 64 fairlane 500. Hope this helps.
Thanks for all the replies guys. Blown 5.0, I found the info for the engine you're describing online. However, this particular engine has a factory 2bbl. So I don't know that they are one in the same. I've tried to upload pics of the engine, I'll check later to see if it worked. Darrel
How do you know for certain it is a "factory" 2bbl and not one that somebody swapped out (along with the manifold possibly)? just curious
Hipos had chrome valve covers (among other things). The intake, exhaust manifolds, carb, fan, valve covers, distributor, and flywheel are all incorrect parts for a Hipo. Hipos were not available with auto trannys. This is just an early production 289. They had to hype it so people felt warm and fuzzy when they paid a premium for it over the 260. Dave
....speaking of 260's, I stumbled (literally) upon a 260 intake at my Mom's place in Louisiana over the holidays (in case someone absolutely can't find one). 'Came off a '54ish Coupe-type (Mainliner?) I do believe. The strange location of the ports caught my eye - :16suspect
Are you refering to a Y-block?? The 221 and 260 are both versions of the small block Ford. They are the forerunners of the 289, so there is no outward difference. At least not beyond minor things like alternators vs generators and the like. Other than casting numbers, there is no difference in intakes. Dave
I dunno about a "Y" block, Dave. On the outlet (bottom) side of the intake where it meets the head, there were 2 intake runners on each side with two openings being 'piggy-backed' (for lack of a better term) rather than there being four lateral, independant ports on a Windsor style engine. Did that make sense?
