Topic: 65 K Code - which transmission?

[jchrisrussell]

I have an April 1965 Metuchen plant K code coupe.  I'm basing this on the sheetmetal date stamps since the door tag is missing and looking at the rest of the details it appears to have been a 4 speed car, even though it now has a 351w, 3 speed drivetrain out of a 1970 Mustang.  I'm trying to piece back together the correct drivetrain for it which at this point includes the rear end, transmission, and radiator but I'm a little confused as to which is the correct transmission for it. Some documentation says HEH-BX and others say HEH-T, so which one would be correct?  Also what radiator should I be looking for?

[jwc66k]

First, welcome to the forum.
There was a change-over from HEH-T to HEH-BX on 10/01/64 per the 60-68 Ford Car Parts manual.
Jim

[CharlesTurner]

First, welcome to the forum.
There was a change-over from HEH-T to HEH-BX on 10/01/64 per the 60-68 Ford Car Parts manual.
Jim

Unfortunately, that entry in the Ford parts book is in error.  Believe we have addressed this before in the past and the change actually occurred sometime in late 65 or early 66 model year production

[jwc66k]

Unfortunately, that entry in the Ford parts book is in error.  Believe we have addressed this before in the past and the change actually occurred sometime in late 65 or early 66 model year production

Several of your posts make that claim, but as this is a major component, without any backup documentation, a TSB for one, the date of 10/01/64 must be the accepted date. The 75 MPC has the same transition date.
Jim

[J_Speegle]

Several of your posts make that claim, but as this is a major component, without any backup documentation, a TSB for one, the date of 10/01/64 must be the accepted date.

Or at least suggest addition research and documentation would not hurt advancing our understanding - especially if it were found to be off by months since we can not be certain of real build dates of original cars.  Guess I can search to see what pictures I have (transmission type) to go with what VIN's

Interesting that you included the mention of a TSB article - have the number handy since I don't recall it and it would make the search quicker?  If its in a TSB that suggest to me that there was an error printed somewhere that they were bringing to the attention of the service personnel.  Sometimes there is a correct to the correction    or things just didn't work out as planned.

[jwc66k]

Interesting that you included the mention of a TSB -

Mentioned as type of documentation.
I note that the 75 MPC shows the same replacing service part number for all three (early 64 was a -S) transmissions. The "change" in part numbers could possibly be an internal change.
Jim

[CharlesTurner]

The 65 MPC lists an HEH-T as C5ZZ-7003-H and the 66 MPC lists HEH-BX as C5ZZ-7003-W

I've personally owned 2 65 hi-po cars, they both had original matching numbers (VIN stamped) engine/trans.

One was a Dearborn fastback, early January '65 scheduled build date (Trans tag HEH-T 014104)

The other was a San Jose convertible with early February '65 scheduled build date (Trans tag HEH-T 013269)

I've found other HEH-T tags with the following numbers

015186 (13B Dearborn coupe)

015790 (28R Dearborn coupe)

[jchrisrussell]

So I guess, from reading the comments, that this is still open for interpretation. It could be an HEH-BX (warranty, possibly?), an HEH-T or a HEH-S. Evidently it's a hard point to confirm. The majority of people claim HEH-BX but people who had them and services them said they could be anything.  Half even say that a HEH-T is wide ratio while the other half say close. Pretty interesting.

[jchrisrussell]

Thanks for your input!

[jchrisrussell]

What production date would be considered "late 1965"?

[CharlesTurner]

So I guess, from reading the comments, that this is still open for interpretation. It could be an HEH-BX (warranty, possibly?), an HEH-T or a HEH-S. Evidently it's a hard point to confirm. The majority of people claim HEH-BX but people who had them and services them said they could be anything.  Half even say that a HEH-T is wide ratio while the other half say close. Pretty interesting.

You can rule out HEH-S.  HEH-T or HEH-BX were definitely close-ratio.

I'd consider a June/July '65 as 'late 65', which is close to the transition into the start of '66 model year (in early August '65).

My opinion is your April '65 K code should have an HEH-T

[kapdavm]

I own a Metuchen built, 1965 K GT Fastback, which underwent a complete restoration.  Car was actually built around the 23rd of June 1965.

Delivered to Archway Ford in Baltimore.

During the restoration I posed this same transmission question on the old hipomustang site.

Lots of opinions and good information were provided to the thread, even by some of those who also responded to your thread.

Relied on the kindness of strangers for certain parts. 

Bought my original radiator from Charles Turner around 12 years ago.

Also, Change Levels 7/8 are relevant to the drivetrain for cars from these dates. 

I believe that Dearborn and Metuchen radiators are different from San Jose.

My VIN stamped transmission is a HEH-T. 

There are a lot of unique traits of Metuchen built cars.  In fact, the "K" in the transmission stamped VIN is backwards.

Did you find your buck tag, a metal stamped tag with wavy edges?  Only Metuchen built cars have one. 

It has an identifying list of car verification info and car options.

For 1965, the buck tag should have been located on the passenger-side fender apron under the hood.

You should be able to see the imprint left by the tag due to moisture trapped underneath the tag, if the area has not been disturbed or exposed for a long period of time.

I also have the original broadcast sheet for my kar.

Although k-code drivetrains did have a number of specialized k-code parts, some are just regular Mustang parts.

IF you are really into drivetrain originality, get yourself a copy of a very important reference manual:  Mustang & Ford Small Block V8 1962 - 1969 written by Bob Mannel.

Contact me with any other questions that you may have.

Have fun resurrecting the kar.

David Kaplan

[sgl66]

FWIW, Metuchen by Oct 65 was using HEH-BX and may or may not have a VIN stamp.

 

[jchrisrussell]

Thanks Dave, great info.  Unfortunately the buck tag is missing, in fact I see no evidence that it was ever there. The VIN definitely says Metuchen though.  I'll order that book.

[65fastbk]

I have a July 12 build date on my SJ built car and it has vin stamped HEH-T