The Legendary Ford 289: A Small Block that Dominated Racing

TLDRThe Ford 289 was a powerful and versatile engine that achieved remarkable success in various forms of racing. From winning the Seca production B category to breaking land speed records, the 289 proved its dominance. It was used in the iconic Shelby GT350 Mustangs and Cobra roadsters, showcasing its performance capabilities. The 289's reliability was demonstrated when Ford ran four Mercury Cyclones non-stop for 40 days and 40 nights, covering 100,000 miles. The 289's legacy continued with its transition to the Ford 302 in TransAm racing.

Key insights

🏆The Ford 289 engine won the Seca production B category multiple times, defeating prestigious brands like Ferrari and Jaguar.

🌟It set 23 individual land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats and achieved remarkable speeds on the Lonsmulson Straight.

🚀The 289 engine powered the renowned Shelby GT350 Mustangs and Cobra roadsters, showcasing its performance capabilities.

🔧Ford demonstrated the reliability of the 289 by running four Mercury Cyclones non-stop for 40 days and 40 nights, covering 100,000 miles.

🏎️The 289's legacy continued with its transition to the Ford 302, becoming the mainstay of Ford's small blocks for decades.

Q&A

How powerful was the Ford 289 engine?

—The Ford 289 engine had various power levels, ranging from 195 horsepower with a two-barrel carburetor to 271 horsepower in the high-performance K-code version. The drag racing versions, like the Dragons and the GT350 R, produced even higher horsepower.

What were the notable racing achievements of the Ford 289?

—The Ford 289 achieved significant racing accomplishments. It won the Seca production B category multiple times, broke land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, dominated in TransAm racing, and powered the legendary Shelby GT350 Mustangs and Cobra roadsters.

Did the Ford 289 engine have any design innovations?

—The Ford 289 incorporated design innovations for performance and lightweight construction. It featured a short stroke and thin wall casting technology in the cylinder heads. The high-performance K-code versions had special components like a solid lifter camshaft and thicker main webs.

Was the Ford 289 known for its reliability?

—Yes, the Ford 289 engine was known for its reliability. Ford demonstrated its durability by running four Mercury Cyclones non-stop for 40 days and 40 nights, covering 100,000 miles.

What happened to the Ford 289 engine?

—The Ford 289 engine transitioned to the Ford 302 in 1968, with an increased stroke to maximize cubic inch displacement for TransAm racing. The Ford 302 then became the mainstay of Ford's small blocks for several decades.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The Ford 289 engine achieved remarkable success in various forms of racing.

02:56The 289 engine powered the renowned Shelby GT350 Mustangs and Cobra roadsters, showcasing its performance capabilities.

07:38The Ford 289 achieved significant racing achievements, including winning the Seca production B category and breaking land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

09:58Ford demonstrated the reliability of the 289 by running four Mercury Cyclones non-stop for 40 days and 40 nights, covering 100,000 miles.

13:36The Ford 289 engine transitioned to the Ford 302, which became the mainstay of Ford's small blocks for several decades.

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