Mustang 289 Mystery Motor

by L . McChesney
(Vancouver Island)

Question:

Can someone please help me by telling me what these letters and numbers mean?

I have a small block ford. The block reads C5AE-6015-E / SE21 /

- front tab SF1090

- the heads read 289 65 C50E 20 A (3/4/v)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:

Boy, are you going to like my answer!

Your Engine Block:

First off, the block is a 6 bolt bell housing, 1965 vintage Ford 289 V8. But that's not all...

Based on your casting number C5AE-6015-E , this 289 v8 engine could be either a 2v, 4v or hipo motor (the same block casting for all three, just heavier main bearing caps for the high performance hipo version)

SE21 is actually, 5E21 which means the casting code is dated May 21, 1965.

The casting code breaks down like this:


5 = 1965
E = May
21 = 21st

Now the fun part... The heads.

A C5OE-A casting, means that you have 54.5 cc heads, with the larger 1964-1967 vintage 1.78 intake and 1.45 exhaust valves.

The engine also has screw-in studs and integral valve-spring cups, particular only to these heads.

What does this all mean?

It means you have a 1965 Ford Mustang 289 V8 hipo engine, a very sought after factory performance engine!

If you have the car that goes with it (finished or restoration in progress) , send some pics and I'll put it up on the page with your information.

Hope to see it in a Mustang, cruising up the Island highway some day!