Topic: 260 or 289?

[Corey Bowcutt]

I am slowly figuring out what I have with my project 1964 1/2 convertible.  It is a 260 car built May 12th.  I removed the valve covers to adjust the valves and the heads are marked 289.  Probably a dumb question but would a 260 have come with heads marked 289?  There is absolutely no known history on this car so I am starting from scratch figuring out what I have.

Thank you,

Corey

[krelboyne]

Did you find a casting date? Might tell the story.

[jwc66k]

A better way would be to look at the casting number. It's located on the lower right hand side partially hidden by the starter. A Ford 260 casting part number would be C4OE-6015-B or -E (there are earlier castings that start with a C2OE-, or C3OE-). A 289 casting would be C4OE-6015-C or -F, or C5AE-6015-E (again, there earlier, and later castings).
Jim

[Deuce]

... would a 260 have come with heads marked 289?  There is absolutely no known history on this car so I am starting from scratch figuring out what I have.

Breaking this into two separate points to consider:

1) From Mannel Mustang & Ford Small Block V8 1962-1969 (Ch.4, p. 4-1): "The 260 V8 heads carried their own unique casting number, but no displacement markings in the rocker arm area.  This made the 260 head easily distinguishable from the 289 head which was marked 289 in this area."  Your car appears to have 289 heads.

2) Next step would be to determine if the block currently in the car is a 260 or 289,  based on block casting numbers and casting dates.  See quotes below.

Did you find a casting date? Might tell the story.

A better way would be to look at the casting number. It's located on the lower right hand side partially hidden by the starter. A Ford 260 casting part number would be C4OE-6015-B or -E (there are earlier castings that start with a C2OE-, or C3OE-). A 289 casting would be C4OE-6015-C or -F, or C5AE-6015-E (again, there earlier, and later castings).

[Corey Bowcutt]

Thank you all. This is very helpful.

Corey

[CharlesTurner]

The Bob Mannel book is a great resource to have:  https://fordsmallblock.com/