Topic: July 1964 engine colors

[64 PONY]

I have a 64 ½ Mustang; 5F08F193026. 260, w/AC, PS and a few other luxuries.
 
What color should the breather and valve covers be? My breather is the "tall" type where only the center of the lid comes off to remove/change the air filter. Did either of the valve covers have the “vents” (to add oil) since there is the “oil add tube” on the front of the engine?
 
I am told the 260 was light Ford blue (PPG 11297?) and the 289 was gold. I cannot get a definitive, “sho nuff the stuff”, answer. Please help…

[NEFaurora]

The '64 1/2 260v8 was Light Ford Blue as well as your "Fairlane" type aircleaner.  Your snorkel for the aircleaner should be black as well as the oil cap which is also black.

Those are the basics... The judges will give more descriptive answers.

Tony K.

[NEFaurora]

Just to elaborate on my above answer.. The valve covers were light Ford Blue, and the engine Block was Black just so there is no confusion.

Tony K.

[CharlesTurner]

The Ford Light Blue sold in rattle cans is not exactly right.  The right shade would be close to the '70 Grabber Blue exterior color, try ditzler 11297.

[carlite65]

iirc that 'tall' style of air cleaner is not accepted in judging.

[NEFaurora]

"iirc that 'tall' style of air cleaner is not accepted in judging."

That's bizarre.  I've never heard of that before...

It really makes no sense.  The cars actually came that way.  Maybe you should get an MCA Judge to write you an "exception" letter.  I'm sure that one of them would be happy to oblige..

Tony K.

[carlite65]

from the mca 1964-1966 concours judging rules..

F. Air Cleaner and Attaching Parts: Proper type and color for year and engine. 64½ - V8 small Falcon style not allowed. 289 V8 full sized only except with Cobra or HiPo dress-up kit. Correct zinc wing nut. ... 4 Workmanship, condition and cleanliness ......................................................................................... 1

[CharlesTurner]

The wrong air cleaner will actually cause the snorkel to rub against the bottom of the hood.  It would have to be a pretty strong case for there to be an exception to this rule.

[Ivygreen65]

Mustang #001 has the 17" air cleaner.  Every pre-production or early car I've seen has the 17" air cleaner.  Is anyone aware of any documented case of a car originally having the Fairlane air cleaner?   

[Panther]

Bob Mannels Book "Mustang and Ford Small Block V8" shows a pre-production Mustang from POPULAR HOT RODDING's May 1964 issue with the Fairlane style air cleaner - but you can see on the picture that the snorkel was flattened to fit under the hood (page 4-32)

Photos of other pre-production cars already show the 17'' Mustang air cleaner and as you said, #001 has the 17'' air cleaner,too. So besides the fact, that it normally wouldn't fit, why should have cars been equipped with the 14'' version anyway when the 17'' air cleaner was available?

[64 PONY]

Thanks to everyone for the color info. I'll go with the 17", light blue (Ditzler 11297). 

Next question: Where can I find "non-vented" valve covers? The oil tube is on the front so there should be no oil add on the valve covers.

Thanks!

[carlite65]

try here http://www.mustangbarn.com

[Mitch70769]

Not that someone couldn't have changed it at some point but I thought one or two of the original 64-1/2 one owner cars at the 45th anniversary celebration had the smaller air cleaners on them.  I will have to look back through my pics from the event to see if any show up.

[kutzoh]

Even if they are "original" they just look wrong!!!

Greg