My Street 289 build

[Ivygreen65]

Originally Posted by LMH

Just an FYI but the PCV valve goes on the left valve cover and the oil filler on the right. On an original engine that is.
Larry

Larry,

Thanks for pointing that out. Looking at what I considered fairly original cars, I have seen the PCV on both sides. I know Lynn Park's Dirtbag car has the PCV on the passenger side. I have always wondered if PCV location was a running change associated with a particular installation date or engine iteration.

I also know that my PCV should have the brass elbow, but I have not been able to find one. I'm going to install the wire clamp on the PCV hose (like the later 289s installed in Mustangs, etc) and run with that until I stumble across the correct elbow. I'm trying to make my engine look pretty original, but I'm not going to let the smaller details (ones that I could revise later) stymie my progress.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by Ivygreen65

Larry,

Thanks for pointing that out. Looking at what I considered fairly original cars, I have seen the PCV on both sides. I know Lynn Park's Dirtbag car has the PCV on the passenger side. I have always wondered if PCV location was a running change associated with a particular installation date or engine iteration.

I also know that my PCV should have the brass elbow, but I have not been able to find one. I'm going to install the wire clamp on the PCV hose (like the later 289s installed in Mustangs, etc) and run with that until I stumble across the correct elbow. I'm trying to make my engine look pretty original, but I'm not going to let the smaller details (ones that I could revise later) stymie my progress.

Switching the valve covers is commonly done now as the brass elbow and correct PCV valve are getting hard to find. Keep looking and you'll find one. I bought four or five for original cars when owners asked if I could find them one. They show up for sale from time to time.

Larry

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by Ivygreen65

Larry,

Thanks for pointing that out. Looking at what I considered fairly original cars, I have seen the PCV on both sides.

All original CSX2xxx, COB60xx, and COX60xx Cobras with 1964-65 street engines had the PCV system on the left side (driver’s side for LHD cars) of the engine. The obvious reason was the close proximity of coolant expansion tanks restricting the area around the oil fill / crankcase vent cap.

CSX2xxx Cars & 1964 Model Year Production Engines (assembled August 1963 through July 1964)
Received the same PCV valve (note 1), ring tag, and brass elbow any “1964” Fairlane 260/289/HP289 engine received. Shelby’s engine installers added aluminum tubes and ancillaries to make the left side valve location work in 4V and 2-4V induction cars. CSX21xx something through CSX2200 cars only received factory installed dress up aluminum covers if somebody specifically ordered them. Other wise chromium plated 1964 covers were standard and engine installers removed them and installed them with new gaskets on opposite sides as Ford delivered them.

CSX2xxx Cars & 1964 Special Order HP289 Five Bolt Engines (Cobra only) were made in August 1964 after regular production had gotten underway and they used the first version (note 2) of 1965 model year valve like any other 289/HP289 engine. The Ford PCV hose was cut and an elbow end remained as a connection for the valve in the rocker arm cover.

CSX2xxx Cars & 1965 Model Year Special Fairlane Automatic Transmission HP289 Engines were assembled in September 1964. They received the same valve and engine installation modifications as the 1964 Special Order engines.

Note 1: There were two Cobra related versions of assembly line valves for 1964. The original design was used at least as far as CSX2171 and CSX2190. (Remember when the engine was made dictated which valve was installed and not the VIN number of the car the engine went into.) I have seen the first design offered as Ford service parts. The second design was an assembly line (Ford’s Cleveland facility) only part never offered as a service part. To obtain one, means find a good used original. CSX2205 is to date the earliest chassis known to have gotten the second design of valve. In either case, the brass elbow fitting was used in all 1964 model 260/289/HP289 engines.

Note 2: There was just one Cobra related 1965 model year valve and I have never found one offered as a service part. Ford used multiple versions of valves in new 289/HP289 engines between July 1964 and about July 1965. Ford offered more than one version of service part as replacements. The hardest version to find in any condition, the one used early in the 1965 model year that Cobras with automatic transmissions used.


Side Bar: Even the best unrestored Cobras usually exhibit about 50 to 150 non-stock details gained over decades of time. I am not sure what you mean by "fairly original" but many cars considered 'original' have hundreds of non-stock details if one counts all the post production changes that are not like what the cars were sold new like.

[Ivygreen65]

Dan,

As always, thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge. Having restored a couple of early Mustangs to MCA gold standards using correct assembly line and date coded parts, I know the headaches / misery / depleted cash that comes with that. That is why I'm enjoying this car so much - I can get the details close, but I don't have to lose sleep over them.

Regarding your sidebar, I'm always collecting photos of what I consider "minimally restored" cars and details. After reading your posts and exchanging emails, I know how most of these cars do not have many original parts left. My goal is to avoid some of the glaring things I see wrong on "100% correct" restorations. Even with the small amount that I have learned, it can be surprising how wrong some highly touted restored cars are.

Now, humbly, I'm off to swap sides on my valve covers.