COMET CENTRAL

Has anyone seen a 65 Hipo convertible? How do you tell the difference from the reg A code motor to the Hipo motor? Thanks if advance for your response

Welcome aboard!! Nope. K-code in Comets/ Falcons doesn’t mean same as ‘Stangs. The easiest way to (start) ID’ing a real Hi-Po motor are the exhaust manifold & harmonic balancer. I’d have to look at a lot more stuff before I’d buy in - lots of info via Google!!

I understand about K code vs A code. From that there are two A code motors for 65 Correct. Solid lifter. Will the balancer be the same as Mustang?

No verts came with hipo motor.'' A'' code for 65 comet is the 225 hp super cyclone motor with 10.5:1 comp flattop pistons that burned premium fuel only. with hyd. lifters.

Yep - the only solid lifter 289 was the Hi-Po. Balancer is same as the ‘Stang but different exhaust manifolds (still unique to the Hi-Po engines). The ‘Stang parts won’t fit!

65 Hipo 289 had a manual choke Autolite carb. No vacuum advance distributer. Heads with screw-in studs.
Thicker main caps and probably a VIN stamped somewhere on the bottom of the block. 4 speed only but a Fairlane Hipo could have had an auto trans.
No convertibles unless it was a super top secret special order. In that case I think you’d need a build sheet to verify.

Joe

The only way to know for sure is to have the build sheet. There are some other clues, like a special DCO number (but not always mean HiPo), no power accessory’s, top loader 4 speed, bolted export brace, 9” rear end. Do you have any pictures of the car? Like under the hood.

I will post pics when I get back home this weekend. Car is a rotisserie resto. 4spd. awesome car. asking 25K? Seems like a lot of $$ however can't buy one and build it for that. Thoughts?

kr3760 wrote:I will post pics when I get back home this weekend. Car is a rotisserie resto. 4spd. awesome car. asking 25K? Seems like a lot of $$ however can't buy one and build it for that. Thoughts?

Yes, maybe a little high, but you probably can't build it for that (will know better when you share the photos).

Hey HiPo guys, why does the distributor for HiPo not have vacuum advance. So it's entirely mechanical? does it achieve enough advance at highway speed?

Hey HiPo guys, why does the distributor for HiPo not have vacuum advance. So it's entirely mechanical? does it achieve enough advance at highway speed?[/quote]

I believe very early HiPo 289’s had a vacuum advance distributor, for sure 65 and later used a non vacuum unit. I have one for my Boss engine, when I used it in my 302/triPower engine I set it up for total advance at above idle engine speed. The internal weights and springs determine the amount of advance, when the distributor is timed it determines when the advance peaks. Mine worked well and I expect it to work even better in the Boss because I am converting it to a Pertronix.
I have an Accel dual point also but that will not be used this time around.

All 289 HiPo’s had mechanical advancing distributors. With vacuum that is created by the cam, distributors and brakes can be affected but the loss of vacuum with a more aggressive cam profile. Although the stock cam in the HiPo should have been fine I would think.

The way this looks it's well worth $25,000. Like you said you can't built one for that let alone fine one

This is my 65. It has an "A" code engine, 4 speed manual, no A/C, no power steering, no power brakes. It's a cruiser. I bought it from the original owner. He ordered it exactly the way he wanted it. He was a car guy. I'm pretty sure if he could've ordered the 271 HP HIPO he would have.

Sharp lookin' ride.
Jim