1966convstang

I was wondering if I could get some opinions on doing some work on my 1966 Mustang convertible. It is a 289 V8 with a four barrel carb. There is a little noise in a lifter I believe and I am thinking about taking out the engine this winter and doing some work on the car, flipping it over, etc. I noticed when I got the car it has cobra on the valve covers but the engine code is a code C and not code K. Is it better to keep the engine original to the vin or would it be better to leave the cobra valve covers on? And, also, could you please tell me how to know if it has cobra heads?

The engine tag by the carb says: 289 E 66 Ford
G 236-T 12
The tag is attached to the intake manifold.

VIN: 6F08C727182
76C Z 36 25G 33 Axle: 6 Trans: 6

I have posted some photos under my profile for more information.
Thank you to anyone who replies and no comments from a**holes preferred. Thanks, Brian

capri man

it all depends on what you want to do with it. it would be worth more down the road with the original engine. the valve covers really don't make much difference as they are easy to change.

2+2GT

Have adjusted the valves? They are fully adjustable, and if it has been a long time (or never) since adjustment, it can work wonders.

The only difference internally between the C code and A code was the A code had flat-top pistons, which raised the compression.

There were no Cobra Heads. The Cobra and Shelby had 289HP heads, of course, which had screw in rocker studs, and a retaining ridge around the base of the valve springs, but they actually didn't flow any better than stock 2V/4V heads.

A widely sold over the counter Ford upgrade was Cobra valve covers, or The "dress-up" kit, which included either chrome or Cobra valve covers, chrome dipstick, chrome rad cap, chrome brake cap, and chrome air cleaner.

236-T is a code which would tell us if it were a 2V or 4V. However, Since we know the car is originally a 2V, you'd have to pull a cylinder head to know if the intake or the whole engine were changed.

Oxnard Montalvo

+1 on the valve adjustment.


It's my understanding that the A code also had a different cam.