In 1964 the Ford engineers increased the displacement of the 260 block to 289 cid creating the infamous Ford 289. There were several variations of this motor. Out of this block came the 289 high performance engine made famous on the streets and in Shelby’s Cobras and 1965-67 Shelby Mustangs. This is the engine that the Shelby cars used to win most of the races with. Put in the Cobra it became unbeatable combination. The 1965 Shelby Mustang GT 350 came with this engine as did the 1966 and 1967 GT 350 cars.
This engine is one of the longest production engines of all manufacturers. In 1968 the engineers gave it a larger displacement punching it out to 302 cubes. Basically this block has been in production by Ford from 1964 to 1995 when Ford went with the modular block.
 | 289 "A" 1965-1967 | 289 "C" 1963-1968 | 289 "D" 1964-1965 | 289 "K"* 2/63 - 1968 |
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| Engine Type | 8 cylinder 90 degree, Overhead Valves (OHV) | 8 cylinder 90 degree, Overhead Valves (OHV) | 8 cylinder 90 degree, Overhead Valves (OHV) | 8 cylinder |
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| Displacement | 289 cu.inches (CID) | 289 cu.inches (CID) | 289 cu.inches (CID) | 289 cu.inches (CID) | ||
| Maximum torque | 305 lbs./ft. @ 3,200 RPM | 282 lbs./ft. @ 2,400 RPM (1963-67) 288 lbs./ft. @ 4,600 RPM (1968 only) | 300 lbs./ft. @ 2,800 RPM | 312 lbs./ft. @ 3,400 RPM 329 lbs./ft. @ 4,200 RPM (Shelby GT 350 only) |
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| Maximum Horsepower | 225 BHP @ 4,800 RPM | 200 BHP @ 4,400 RPM (1963-67) 195 BHP @ 4,600 RPM (1968 only) | 210 Bhp @ 4,400 RPM | 271 BHP @ 6,000 RPM 306 BHP @ 6,000 RPM (Shelby GT 350 only) |
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| Firing Order | 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 (Number 1 cylinder on right bank, nearest radiator) | 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 (Number 1 cylinder on right bank, nearest radiator) | 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 (Number 1 cylinder on right bank, nearest radiator) | 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 (Number 1 cylinder on right bank, nearest radiator) |
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| Bore & Stroke | 4.005" X 2.87" (101.6 mm X 72.8 mm) | 4.005" X 2.87" (101.6 mm X 72.8 mm) | 4.005" x 2.87" (101.6 mm X 72.8 mm) | 4.005" X 2.87" (101.6 mm X 72.8 mm) |
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| Compression Ratio | 10.01:1 (1965) 9.81:1 (1966-67) | 9.31:1 (1963-64) 9.81:1 (1965-67) 8.71:1 (1968) | 9.3:1 (1964-67) | 11.6:1 (pre 4/64) 10.5:1 (1965) 10.0:1 (1966-67) |
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| Compression Pressure | 130-170 psi | 130-170 psi | 130-170 psi | 130-170 psi | ||
| Oil Pressure (hot) | 35 to 60 lbf/in2 | 35 to 60 lbf/in2 | 35 to 60 lbf/in2 | 35 to 55 lbf/in2 | ||
| Carburetor | Autolite 4100 | Autolite 2100 (2V- 1963-66) automatic choke | Autolite 4100 (4V) automatic choke | Autolite 4100 (4V) automatic choke 63 & 64 Manual choke 65 & 66 Holley 4160-C 4V Manual choke on Shelby GT 350 | ||
| Fuel | premium gas | regular gas | regular gas | super premium (63/65) premium (66/67) |
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| Intake Manifold | cast iron | cast iron | cast iron | cast iron Cobra aluminum (Shelby GT 350 only) |
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| Valve train | hydraulic lifters | hydraulic lifters | hydraulic lifters | solid /adjustable |
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| Intake | 1.773"-1.788" | 1.662"-1.678" | 1.773"-1.788" | 1.663" - 1.678" (before 4/64) 1.773" - 1.788" (from 4/64 thru 1967) |
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| Exhaust | 1.442"-1.457" | 1.442"-1.457" | 1.442"-1.457" | 1.442" - 1.457" | ||
| Distributor | single point vacuum advance | single point vacuum advance | single point vacuum advance | dual-points mechanical advance |
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| Point Gap | .014"-.016" | .017 | .019"-.021" | |||
| Initial Ignition Timing | 6degrees (manual) 8 degrees (manual) | 6 degrees | 12 degrees | |||
| Dwell @ idle rpm | 26-28 1/2 | 30-33 | ||||
| Spark Plugs | Autolite BF-42 | Autolite BF-42 | Autolite BF-42 | Autolite BF-42 | ||
| Spark Plug Gap | .032"-.036" | .032"-.036" | .028"-.032" | |||
| Long Block Weight in lbs. | 465 | 460 | 465 | 475 | ||
| *In 1963 Ford released the 289 High Performance engine which produced 271 BHP @ 6000 RPM. Stronger connecting rods with 3/8" bolts, thicker main bearing caps, solid lifter cam, screw-in rocker arm studs, machined valve spring seats, forged steel exhaust valves, a dual point mechanical advance distributor, and better flowing exhaust manifolds rounded out the package. The engines used in the 1965-67 Shelby GT 350 Mustangs was rated at 306 HP featured a high rise aluminum Cobra intake manifold and Tri-Y headers. The 289 HP featured a high nodularity cast iron crankshaft that was Brinell hardness tested to ensure quality. To prevent 4th-order harmonic vibrations from destroying the crankshaft at higher RPM, the engine |
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