How do you price a rare Cobra engine?

[lodgeskins]

Thanks for all the comments and help. It seems like the next step is to get acurate #'s off the block, heads, and intake. I will attempt that on the next moderately warm day we get here, and post them at that time. Now that I know where to look for the casting number for the block (thanks Wayne), I will, but will I also need the serial #? If so, where would I find that? Sal's comment makes me think that there may indeed be a discrepancy between what we thought we have, and what we actually have. Was there a Cobra 289 produced in 65, and therefore possibly in a 66 car? If so, that could explain the notion that it's a 1966, Cobra 289. Thanks again for everyone's help! Mike

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by lodgeskins

Thanks for all the comments and help. It seems like the next step is to get acurate #'s off the block, heads, and intake. I will attempt that on the next moderately warm day we get here, and post them at that time. Now that I know where to look for the casting number for the block (thanks Wayne), I will, but will I also need the serial #? If so, where would I find that? Sal's comment makes me think that there may indeed be a discrepancy between what we thought we have, and what we actually have. Was there a Cobra 289 produced in 65, and therefore possibly in a 66 car? If so, that could explain the notion that it's a 1966, Cobra 289. Thanks again for everyone's help! Mike

Honestly, I am more of a big block guy, but I am quite sure the last year for the small block Cobra was 64. Also, I know some of the small block cars had footbox tags with the engine ID as well as the VIN stamped into them.

[Woodz428]

The number you gave couldn't be a head #, you have to have the manifold off to see the #. It's under the intake ports in area within the lifter valley.The fact that you indicated paint and seemed to say it was external means you were reading some other number...what I don't know because the date code is under the valve cover... the block number should be above the starter. I would ask again how you are certain it is an original Cobra engine? Ford sold loads of over the counter Cobra kits that went on 289s from Falcons to Galaxies.

[ffindling]

Another thing to check is the bellhousing bolts. I would think most if not
all 289 Cobras had 5 bolt engines. I believe Ford started phasing in 6 bolt
blocks during the 3rd quarter of 1964.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Woodz428

The number you gave couldn't be a head #, you have to have the manifold off to see the #. It's under the intake ports in area within the lifter valley.

He can also pull the valve cover off a small block ford and the casting number is in the lifter gallery. He can then tell us if it has push in or screw in rocker studs If he really cosniders this a true HiPo block, then he is going to need to drop the oil pan to check it out as the only difference in the 289HiPo block is the wider and heavier main bearing caps. Finally, he can tell us if it is set up for a 5 or 6 bolt bellhousing.


Bill S.