[DayZero-289]

Hi all, I’m back on the forum after a VERY long hiatus raising a family and such.

So I’ve got a C4OE-6015-C 289 block that I’ve had for about 25 years. Amazingly, in that time, I never looked up it’s casting codes. Well, obviously I did now, and I think they are incredibly cool! I’m a Mustang history geek though, so I wanted to see what you all think.

The above code is cool because it’s an early 5-bolt that could be used as a Hi-Po restoration (don’t know it’s history, but it’s right for a K code). BUT! The really cool part to me is that the casting code is 4D17!!! That’s right, April 17, 1964, the very day that Henry Ford II stood on stage at the New York World’s Fair and unveiled the new Ford Mustang! So as Henry was talking, this very block was cooling in the foundry! So I named her Day Zero.

Is that cool or what?! Am I just a nerd? Well, yes, but anyway, tell me what you think of this block’s history please.

I have it at the machine shop getting cleaned up, and I’m trying to make up my mind if I should put it in my 6 cylinder ‘65 conv. or not. I was going to drop in a Ford Performance X2347 crate motor, but now I’m torn because I think this is so cool.

 

[C6ZZGT]

5 bolt will make it tougher for tranny stuff.

 

[kenash]

...but not insurmountable. I have a 5 bolt 289. I did a 5 speed conversion. (prev. C4) I sourced a 5 bolt manual bell from a bone yard and added an adapter plate and never looked back.

 

[Flade]

Now you need to find a 64.5 car dated early June to put that engine in!

 

[myfirstcar66]

If you're going to build a performance engine, selling that block to someone doing a time capsule restoration would pay enough for that block to buy your stroker.

 

[427heaven]

If you go that route, I have an early 5 bolt bell housing for your application.!

 

[2+2=GT350]

That is COOL...My cars seats were made on the same day as Shelbys FIRST win Greenvalley Raceway Smithville Texas February 14 1965...thus came the name of the ICONIC SHELBY .... The Flying Shelby driven by Ken Miles👍🙂

 

[DayZero-289]

5 bolt will make it tougher for tranny stuff.

I have a 5 bolt C4 in it now, but you’re right for upgrades, which I might want to do down the road.

 

[DayZero-289]

...but not insurmountable. I have a 5 bolt 289. I did a 5 speed conversion. (prev. C4) I sourced a 5 bolt manual bell from a bone yard and added an adapter plate and never looked back.

good to know, thanks.

 

[DayZero-289]

Now you need to find a 64.5 car dated early June to put that engine in!

My car was built in Nov. 1964, too late?

 

[DayZero-289]

If you're going to build a performance engine, selling that block to someone doing a time capsule restoration would pay enough for that block to buy your stroker.

Really?! That would be great. I have no idea what it’s worth, I see numbers all over the place, and no legit completed sales. What do you, and others think once it‘s been prepped?

 

[myfirstcar66]

A prepped original bore block that is clean and sonic checked with receipts from the machine shop should be worth a couple grand to the right builder. I mean, that's almost as good as NOS. I've never seen an NOS 289 block. I say let em bid.

 

[Flade]

My car was built in Nov. 1964, too late?

My understanding is the engines were used 4-6 weeks after they were built. I am sure you could pop over to the Concours Mustang Forum and get exact details of when that engine would have been put into a car.

 

[DayZero-289]

My understanding is the engines were used 4-6 weeks after they were built. I am sure you could pop over to the Concours Mustang Forum and get exact details of when that engine would have been put into a car.

will do, thanks, I need to rrelearn where discussions live on the site. 🙂

 

[awhtx]

My car was built in Nov. 1964, too late?

That's way too late for an April block. And unless I'm terribly mistaken Ford only installed 6 bolt engines after the changeover to the "1965" production in August, 1964. My Sep 23, 1964 proposed build date car had a 6 bolt 289 in it.

 

[69RR]

I have an August 1, 1964 block that is 6 bolt and supposed to be original to the car (build date is 4H1) cast on June 30, 1964 - build date of the car is Oct 19th 1964.

 

[Mustangerbob1]

Remember, there were a boat load of Falcons, Fairlanes, Galaxies, out there that used the same block.

A plain 5 bolt block does not have a lot of value around here.