1965 Caliente 4 barrel.

[comethead]

Here's the code on the 289 in my Comet:



5M10T. I think this means December 10 1965.

Joe

[Comechero65]

Here's the code on the 289 in my Comet:

5M10T. I think this means December 10 1965.

Joe

If M is the month then that would make it for use in a 66 year model. Too late in the year to be a carryover.

Took a look at my 5.0, it still has that ledge sticking out on the front of the block just below the head but apparently ford doesn't stamp a date on it anymore.
Ron

[Jims65cyclone]

I was told that the engine in my 65 Cyclone is a 302 out of a 67 or 68 Mustang. I have numbers stamped in my block like you do, Joe, but they look like they were stamped by a one-armed monkey. I think the first character may be an 8, although there is only the lower portion and a little of upper right side legible. The second character is either a T with the left side of the cross bar missing, or an upside down L. The last two digits are completely illegible. Does the 302 follow the same code system as the 289? Are there other things to look for externally that would confirm it's a 302 and/or indicate a year?

Jim

[albert]

When I worked for Ford in the mid 60's at the Oakville Canada assembly plant they always closed the plant for usually 2 weeks at the end of July for retooling for the next model year. The first week in August was a test week to make sure everything was set up properly for production of that next year's models. So production on 1965's would have begun in August 1964. And they always used up any common parts that were left over from the previous model year for that particular model.

Albert thanks for the info. You have a great perspective on the "factory correct" aspect of the hobby

Joe, thanks for the nice comment. I try to give my perspective on some of the comments as they relate to our cars being manufactured in the 1960's. I worked at Ford in the Materials Handling Dept/Traffic Dept. I was on the production floor all through the plant on a daily basis. Many of the guys on the line were my friends and neighbors. Since all of this was over 50 years ago it is difficult to remember everything that went on however when I read things here on the Forum my memory sometimes kicks in on that particular subject. You guys are all terrific and I enjoy reading everyone's posts.

Joe

[ants875]

I was told that the engine in my 65 Cyclone is a 302 out of a 67 or 68 Mustang. I have numbers stamped in my block like you do, Joe, but they look like they were stamped by a one-armed monkey. I think the first character may be an 8, although there is only the lower portion and a little of upper right side legible. The second character is either a T with the left side of the cross bar missing, or an upside down L. The last two digits are completely illegible. Does the 302 follow the same code system as the 289? Are there other things to look for externally that would confirm it's a 302 and/or indicate a year?

Jim

Not sure about how Ford did them but the pontiac stuff we had was always a mess and looked like you described, they were hand stamped from what I have read so the never came out perfect.

Ant

[cyclone460]

Something is strange . I looked at the stamp on the block and the bottom of the stamp is half off the pad and doesn't seem complete. My camera is a P.O.S.and won't take close up shots. The stamp is 6C4 and the last letter could be I or J or L nothing after that. The motor seems to never have been out because the original tabs on the exhaust manifold horse shoes are still there all intact, and most are folded over but the engine is ford red with no over spray anywhere! Now I'm really lost as to what this is. Thanks for all the help everyone!

[comethead]

I was told that the engine in my 65 Cyclone is a 302 out of a 67 or 68 Mustang. I have numbers stamped in my block like you do, Joe, but they look like they were stamped by a one-armed monkey. I think the first character may be an 8, although there is only the lower portion and a little of upper right side legible. The second character is either a T with the left side of the cross bar missing, or an upside down L. The last two digits are completely illegible. Does the 302 follow the same code system as the 289? Are there other things to look for externally that would confirm it's a 302 and/or indicate a year?

Jim

Jim I believe the build date stamp system was consistent throughout the 289/302 production. 68 was the transition year from 289 to 302 so all kinds of wacky stuff happened. 289 heads on 302s. 289 cranks in 302 blocks etc.
best way to tell what you have is to look at the heads and block casting numbers. The block number is on the right bottom just forward of the starter. Post that casting number and maybe we can decipher it.
I'm getting all this info from Mannels small block book.

Joe

[comethead]

Here's the code on the 289 in my Comet:

5M10T. I think this means December 10 1965.

Joe

If M is the month then that would make it for use in a 66 year model. Too late in the year to be a carryover.
Ron

Hey Ron I don't think the 289 in my car is the original. I believe it was built after the cars build date.

Joe

[comethead]

Something is strange . I looked at the stamp on the block and the bottom of the stamp is half off the pad and doesn't seem complete. My camera is a P.O.S.and won't take close up shots. The stamp is 6C4 and the last letter could be I or J or L nothing after that. The motor seems to never have been out because the original tabs on the exhaust manifold horse shoes are still there all intact, and most are folded over but the engine is ford red with no over spray anywhere! Now I'm really lost as to what this is. Thanks for all the help everyone!

That code seems like March 4, 1966. Last letter doesn't matter. Its probably a 289 and probably not the original engine for a 65 Comet. Ford small block V8s were painted black from 62-65 and Ford Corporate Blue from 66-up. Never Ford red.

Joe

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

Joe;I do not know if they were original,but I have seen some 260s in Fairlanes that were red!!Just one more thing to screw with the purists!!! ROY.

[popscomet]

Joe;I do not know if they were original,but I have seen some 260s in Fairlanes that were red!!Just one more thing to screw with the purists!!! ROY.

Glenda and I bought a neat 63 fairlane ,years ago that had a 260 when new,,but the guy we got it from ,told me it was a 221 out of a 62 fairlane,and the 1st thing I noticed was it was red,,,then years down the line,A guy gave me a 62 mercury meteor and it also had a red 221,I remember this ,Cause I thought of a Y block,that was in my 57 ford....pop

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

POP;now that I think of it they could have been 221"Windsors!!! ROY.

[popscomet]

POP;now that I think of it they could have been 221"Windsors!!! ROY.

For those who have never heard of a 221 ,,it was the 1st 90 degree v8,,ford built it for the 62 fairlane,and it was called the fairlane v8,,,,,it had a 3.58 bore and a 2.87 stroke,with the PVC in the intake and smooth valve covers,,,,,,,3.78x2.87 for a 260....4.00x2.87 for a 289...thanks