Topic: C40E-6015B is it a 260 or 289

[Corey Bowcutt]

I am looking for a 260 for my 64.5 Convertible project.  It currently has a 5 bolt 289 from 1963 in it.  I found an engine reported to be a 260 with a block number C4OE-6015B and a date code of 3M20 which may be a bit early for my May 12 car but close enough.  My problem is I see on MustangTek that that block number is used on 260s and 289s.  How could I tell if this engine is in fact a 260 and not a 289?

Thank you,

Corey

[BobV]

Measure the bore - 3.8 = 260 and 4.00 = 289

[CharlesTurner]

260 casting would be C4OE-6015-B.  For a May build car, you'd be looking for a 4C or 4D casting, 4D most suitable.  The pace car I restored had a late April '64 scheduled build date and a 4D8 cast 260.

[Corey Bowcutt]

Charles,

That is the casting number on the block however from what I see on MustangTek that is the same number in the 289 and 289 HiPo in 1964.  It seems that just having that block number is not enough to say it is a 260 as far as I can see.

Corey

[Dan Case]

The 289 c.i.d. engine five bolt engine block raw castings used between early 1963 and August 1964 I have recorded by actual inspection were C3AE-6015N, C4OE-6015C, and C4OE-6015F. Any of the castings could have gone into any 289 c.i.d. engine. Blocks inspected and judged defect free were used in High Performance specific 289 cylinder block assemblies.

[CharlesTurner]

That is the casting number on the block however from what I see on MustangTek that is the same number in the 289 and 289 HiPo in 1964.  It seems that just having that block number is not enough to say it is a 260 as far as I can see.

I don't believe that information is correct.  Castings for 260 were C4OE-6015-B and later C4OE-6015-E (+service).  1964 production 289 castings (5 bolt) were C4OE-6015-C and C4OE-6015-F(service).


Would recommend getting a copy of the Bob Mannel :  https://fordsmallblock.com/

[Corey Bowcutt]

Thanks again.  I actually do have that book and did not think to look at it.  I just did and it seems this is in fact a 260 engine which is great news.  MustangTek info is very odd.

BTW the 63 289 that is currently in my car is a -N block which is also identified in Bob's book as a 289.

Corey

[Dan Case]

I don't believe that information is correct.  Castings for 260 were C4OE-6015-B and later C4OE-6015-E (+service).  1964 production 289 castings (5 bolt) were C4OE-6015-C and C4OE-6015-F(service).
Would recommend getting a copy of the Bob Mannel :  https://fordsmallblock.com/

260 c.i.d. engine block raw castings, we have studied in Experimental High Performance 260 and High Performance 260 engines:
C2OE-6015-J
C2OE-6015-JD (may be JO but the casting is not real crisp)

260 c.i.d. engine block raw casting people report in all kinds of cars:
C4OE-6015-B

289 c.i.d. engine block raw castings in five bolt pattern:
C3AE-6015-N
C4OE-6015-C
C4OE-6015-F


The 289 engine sized C4OE-6015-F block casting was not just for service. In my data base I have High Performance 289 five bolt engines using those castings May 15 through August 25 of 1964. I do not save data for anything but the High Performance 289 engines but I would have to think any 289 engines in five bolt would have probably used the same base casting. I have May 15 recorded but there were probably other engines assembled earlier with the suffix F casting.

Based on what I have seen over the decades all three casting versions were used in service or over-the-counter engines each in turn as they came and went in daily production at the Cleveland complex.
Dan

[jwc66k]

Most of the "conclusions" are confirmed and documented in "Mustang & Fords, Small Block V8, 1962-1969" by Bob Mannel, Appendix E, Cylinder Blocks. page E-2.
Jim