Topic: '64 1/2 K code builds

[mikeljgt500kr]

Anyone know for sure how many K codes were built in '64 1/2 run, when they started, and if they were batched together somehow or stretched out over time?  Thanks.

[CharlesTurner]

As far as I know, the actual production detail to this level was not released by Ford.

[mikeljgt500kr]

Thanks, unfortunately, that is what I suspected.

[Dan Case]

Anyone know for sure how many K codes were built in '64 1/2 run, when they started, and if they were batched together somehow or stretched out over time?  Thanks.

I am not sure that this will help but based on publications by Bob Mannel, late 1964 model year 289 High Performance engines (five bolt bell housing) were introduced into Mustangs on June 8, 1964. The production of five bolt 289 High Performance engines ended in July 1964. Bob has published that a Mustang with an August 10, 1964 build date was found to have a 1965 model year six bolt 289 High Performance engine that was assembled August 4, 1964. 

I made notes on these things while doing research on Cobras with five bolt engines manufactured in Cleveland Ohio between about the third week of May 1964 and the second week of July 1964. The best I can tell based on data collected so far the C4OF-AL carburetor was introduced into new engine assemblies for manual transmissions with PCV Valve emissions control circa the third week of May 1964.  Based on collected data the C4OF-AL carburetor assembly went into production the last week of April 1964.

[J_Speegle]

Correct no number available

If you see any quotes or numbers they are guesses at best with little or nothing behind them.

[mikeljgt500kr]

Thank you for that info. My car has a scheduled build date of June 8, according to the door tag, and a C40F AL carb.  I guess the A 4DE is a build date?

[J_Speegle]

Thank you for that info. My car has a scheduled build date of June 8, according to the door tag, and a C40F AL carb.  I guess the A 4DE is a build date?

April 64 appears to when the tag indicates the carb was assembled

[mikeljgt500kr]

Thanks Jeff!

[Dan Case]

Thank you for that info. My car has a scheduled build date of June 8, according to the door tag, and a C40F AL carb.  I guess the A 4DE is a build date?

A = Design Level A (the first production version)
4DE = 1964 April 5th Week (earliest known production date for the C4OF-AL assembly)

I would like to know, if you would share that information with Bob Mannel and myself, your engine serial number and assembly date to see how it fits into my Cobra engine database. (Five bolt engines manufactured through July 1964 were given unique identification numbers. That included all Experimental High Performance 260 engines (15 each hand built prototype engines by Ford engineers), High Performance 260 engines (185 each manufactured), and all the revision levels of prototype and production 289 High Performance engines late summer 1962 through July 1964. The highest engine number I have record of so far was for an engine assembled in July 1964 with a serial number greater than 6450 in a Cobra as its original engine. The first roughly 1550 289 High Performance 1963? production engines were made before June 1963 ended. )

Also it would be interesting to know which style cylinder heads were used (assemblies based on C4OE-B or C5OE-A castings), whether or not the car used a generator or an alternator, and which ignition distributor and its assembly date. Ford made a group of running changes to five bolt HP289 engines around the second and third week of May 1964 that have been hard to pin down. Which exact version of carburetor spacer was used as the Ford listings are confusing; requires a picture of the number cast into the webbing on the underside. In short, the engineering numbers and date codes of most all the engine parts including oil pan and back plate if it is dated.  1964 engines made before May 1964 are well understood. Engines made between late May 1964 and July 1964 are not well documented that I have found.

In general, based on collected data, for 1964 HP289 engines the earliest carburetors got mated to new engines was on average three weeks plus or minus a few days. Build a carburetor today and install it on an engine three or more weeks later is another way to say it.

[midlife]

Anyone know for sure how many K codes were built in '64 1/2 run, when they started, and if they were batched together somehow or stretched out over time?  Thanks.

Don't forget that K-code engines were installed on several other model cars, not just Mustangs.  Not sure if your question revolves around the engines or the specific K-code Mustangs.

[mikeljgt500kr]

Just interesting in '64 1/2 K code Mustangs.  And Dan, I do not have the car in my garage yet, but I can check those things when I do. But where are the serial number and assembly date located on the engine?  It does have a generator.  I see a 4F25F stamped on a boss on the front of the engine. and a 5967 near the rear, and this picture of part number and date (?) near the rear of the oil pan area of the block......

[jwc66k]

Thank you for that info. My car has a scheduled build date of June 8, according to the door tag,

That date, June 8, is supposedly the first scheduled date for 289 HP equipped Mustangs. They are often referred to as "day one" High Performance Mustangs.
To further complicated the numbers game, Ford "documented" all 1964 1/2 builds as 1965 models. Those "64 builds" can be identified by the engine code of "U", "D" and "F" in the VINs (plus the VIN block of numbers) - and as usual, there is an exception - "K" codes.
Jim

[mikeljgt500kr]

Thanks for that info, and I guess, as with all cars, the scheduled build date may not necessarily be the actual build date.

[CharlesTurner]

I would like to know, if you would share that information with Bob Mannel and myself, your engine serial number and assembly date to see how it fits into my Cobra engine database. (Five bolt engines manufactured through July 1964 were given unique identification numbers. That included all Experimental High Performance 260 engines (15 each hand built prototype engines by Ford engineers), High Performance 260 engines (185 each manufactured), and all the revision levels of prototype and production 289 High Performance engines late summer 1962 through July 1964. The highest engine number I have record of so far was for an engine assembled in July 1964 with a serial number greater than 6450 in a Cobra as its original engine. The first roughly 1550 289 High Performance 1963? production engines were made before June 1963 ended. )

Also it would be interesting to know which style cylinder heads were used (assemblies based on C4OE-B or C5OE-A castings), whether or not the car used a generator or an alternator, and which ignition distributor and its assembly date. Ford made a group of running changes to five bolt HP289 engines around the second and third week of May 1964 that have been hard to pin down. Which exact version of carburetor spacer was used as the Ford listings are confusing; requires a picture of the number cast into the webbing on the underside. In short, the engineering numbers and date codes of most all the engine parts including oil pan and back plate if it is dated.  1964 engines made before May 1964 are well understood. Engines made between late May 1964 and July 1964 are not well documented that I have found.

In general, based on collected data, for 1964 HP289 engines the earliest carburetors got mated to new engines was on average three weeks plus or minus a few days. Build a carburetor today and install it on an engine three or more weeks later is another way to say it.

There were some additional engine pics in the auction:


https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1964-ford-mustang-49/

[Dan Case]

Just interesting in '64 1/2 K code Mustangs.  And Dan, I do not have the car in my garage yet, but I can check those things when I do. But where are the serial number and assembly date located on the engine?  It does have a generator.  I see a 4F25F stamped on a boss on the front of the engine. and a 5967 near the rear, and this picture of part number and date (?) near the rear of the oil pan area of the block......

4F25F, interesting, thanks. That seems to fall into the pattern of data Bob Mannel has collected.  (5967 stamped on the left hand rear tooling boss below the block deck would be the engine number.) I have information that indicated that engines numbered 5902, 5911, and 5912 being installed in new Cobras in 1964. 5967 with a generator answers one cylinder head question perhaps, ancillary bolt hole size.