Ford 289 Engine Specifications

289 "A"
1965-1967
289 "C"
1963-1968
289 "D"
1964-1965
289 "K"*
2/63 - 1968
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
90 degree,
Overhead Valves (OHV)

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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
(4V - 1965-66)

Autolite 4300-A
(4V - 1967)
squarebore automatic choke

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

The first Ford small block was introduced in the new intermediate size Fairlane in 1962. It was designed to be a weight saving power plant with thin cast iron walls. Weighing in at 450 pounds, it was hundreds of pounds lighter than the big block motors. The first small block was a 221 cubic inch motor. The two barrel version was rated at 216 gross horsepower with 8.7:1 compression. 

The new small block really didn't cause much enthusiasm for performance until the Ford team put one in the 1963 Indianapolis 500 race. The Indy motor had a larger bore (0.300 inch) punched out to 260 cu. in. The motor was stock except for a cast iron block and heads. The Weber carbs upped the horsepower to 375 on gasoline. This little Ford engine took Jim Clark to 2nd place and Dan Gurney to 7th. Ford was back in racing.

The next year gave Ford the platform to display their new small block motor. The first car to enjoy the now 289 was the Ford Mustang. Out on the west coast, a entrepreneur happened to convince Ford their new small block would be ideal to use in the AC Bristol roadster. His name was Carroll Shelby and he called his car the Cobra. A special high performance 289 was introduced. It raised the stakes by offering:

Four barrel manifold and carb

Mechanical solid-lifter cam

10.5:1 compression

Finned aluminum valve covers

271 Horsepower

Mid 1965 Ford changed the bellhousing from a 5-bolt to a larger 6-bolt. All 221, 260 and early 289's had the 5-bolt, later 289 and 302's got the 6-bolt.

A special Indy 289 motor was developed by the Ford engineers. They took a 255 cu. in. small block motor with an all aluminum block and added some real special heads. The heads contained four valves per cylinder, a set of overhead cams and Hilborn fuel injection. Even though quite exotic for the times, it was a successful race engine.


EXP 131, 507

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