"K-Code" 1965 Ford Falcon
 

Pretty interesting read from Hemmings.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/202...-compact-sedan

"Ford’s early Falcon-based Mustang had plenty of power available—not least of which was the legendary "K-code" 271-hp 289-cubic inch V-8. A solid-lifter cam, 10.5:1 compression, special heads with smaller combustion chambers, low-restriction exhaust manifolds, 2-inch dual exhausts with a crossover pipe and low-restriction mufflers, beefier main bearing caps, and a carburetor that flowed 595 cfm were the hard parts that got the performance nuts drooling. But the package was much more: it also included a dual-point, centrifugal-advance distributor, Autolite BF32 plugs, a water pump with fewer vanes, a fuel pump with an extra spring, a larger-diameter alternator pulley, and a special four-blade cooling fan, as well as larger-diameter rod bolts and a counterweighted crankshaft, all to help the K-code mill rev to its 6,000 rpm redline repeatedly without issue. A chrome dress-up kit belied the seriousness of the package. No power steering, power brakes, automatic transmission, or air conditioning could be specified with the 271 hp engine in 1965; there was only a Toploader four-speed and a 9-inch rear filled with a series of increasingly hairy gearsets, clear up to 4.11:1. Such were the guts of Ford’s Hi-Po package, as it became known.

Despite shared mechanicals, Ford refused to drop the K-code 289 into Falcons—doubtless so it could keep pumping out pony cars by the gross. But Ford of Canada, whose assembly line pumped out Falcons rather than Mustangs, announced that the K-code engine was available in all Falcon models, except station wagons, sold in Canada for the 1965 model year. Per a letter sent to the NHRA’s National Dragsterby Ford Motor Company of Canada, all were equipped with the Toploader four-speed, heavy-duty suspension, 10-inch drum brakes, and Traction-Lok, which was unavailable even on ’65 Mustang K-codes. All would be special orders, and indeed research indicates that a total of seven were built through the end of July, 1965. Seven. This is one of the seven."

https://img.hmn.com/fit-in/900x506/f...-F3Qtr6505.jpg

https://img.hmn.com/900x0/stories/20...on-Eng6420.jpg

Rankin’s “Wild Child” was one of the K codes when new: https://www.hemmings.com/stories/201...ads-to-auction

https://www.motortrend.com/features/...-falcon-hi-po/


Teachers Pet lives near me.


Ryan W31.

That 289 motor could rev and these cars were fast back then.

I looked at a OG K-code Falcon YEARS ago. This car was black with red int, 4 spd and factory 4.30 gears. I also seen a white with red one as well.

I was fortunate to have a local FACTORY Ford racer by the name of Don Henderson. He was racing factory cars back in those days and HIS story matched to what the second owner that said there was a lot more then 7 made, a lot more. Now Don said that Ford made almost enough for every other Ford dealer in Ontario to get a car. NOT every Ford dealer would get one. He said there was more then 40 made that he was aware of???

Both Don Sr and Jr passed away years ago so we can't get more info from them. He was racing a 66 427 Fairlane and a factory Paxton car as well.

Don Sr. was also the man who found an original GT350 COUPE. He restored that car, took it to a Shelby show where everyone claimed it was a fake. That is till Carol himself confirmed they made a few of them. NO ONE in the know of Shelby's knew that the GT3550 COUPE existed. But Don did and found one. So I would take it that he knew his Fords.

Marc, also, I don't think FORD sent the letter to NHRA claiming 7 were made? That was R. Daigneault of Tibury Ontario. Now maybe that was a local dealer that sent that? I don't know, but I don't think Ford officials were from Tilbury? Maybe oakville, Windsor or St. Thomas, but never heard of anyone of the Ford people from Tilbury? But this was also before I was born.

https://www.motortrend.com/features/...f-6354a11f9a72

Nice one for the MCACN Canadian display Ryan :naughty:

I’ll reach out to the owner.

Ryan W31

Here is a bit more info. Seems Mercury offer a 1965 Comet 202 with the 289 271Hp K code cars and actually built 2 from the factory as it seems it just a easy thing to do. It was Ford version of COPO, Ford was call DSO for Domestic Special Order. So eve thought there were not "offered" from the factory with a K-code engine, DSO could make it happen, and sounds like they did.

https://www.motortrend.com/features/...sole-survivor/

Those 65 K code 289 were high revving short stroke engines. Very quick. 289's were a nice engine.