Help me out here...I have a 66 289 motor. There is no pointer on the timing gear cover. My parts supplier lists a bolt-on pointer for 68-73 model year, but not for a 65-66. What is the difference? Can the bolt-on 68-73 be used on my 66 block? Right now all that's there is a threaded stud. Any input would be helpful.

 

The timing pointer was cast into the timing cover thru 1967. In 1968, Ford had a separate pointer, that used one of the bolts to the engine and a smaller dedicated machine screw to the cover. If you look on the left front and directly to the right of the fuel pump mounting boss about 1 1/2 inches, you will see the small hole for the 68 and up style cover.
Jim

 

That must be what I have. I don't know the history of the motor, so anything is possible. It does have the small machine screw as you describe. Next big question...will the 68-73 pointer be accurate for my application? Just because it bolts correctly to this cover, will the position be the same for the 65-66 as for the bolt-on pointer?

 

Anyone else care to share their thoughts?

 

If that timing cover is from a 68 and up motor, most likely it is for that engine. You first need to determine what engine is in there. Give us the casting number and Jim will decode it for you.

 

It sounds like work has been done to your engine if it is in fact a 66 289. All of those timing covers (cast timing pointer or not) fit the 289's. These things get corroded over time and eventually need to be replaced. So, it's not uncommon to find an original 66 289 with a timing cover from a 68 or older (i think the screw on style timing covers are more readily available- I had to do a some searching before I found my correct cover as I didn't want to pay $100 for reproduction). To my understanding, the screw on style and cast pointers point to the same location- if that helps.

 

Thanks shikoz....I was hoping that would be the opinion. The car is not going to be concourse by any means, but I do care about keeping some sort of originality. I'll keep my eye open for an original 65-66 "cast pointer" cover for a later install...Right now the 68-73 cover will get the job done. THANKS FOR EVERYONES INPUT!

 

I purchased one for $40 with shipping on ebay. If you hunt one down be sure to look at the water ways as this is where most of the corroding occurs. They should be perfect circles on the back and don't buy otherwise! You may want to research your engine a little more by checking the block numbers (you'll need to remove the starter)- this will tell you a lot (whether or not you want to stay stock, etc.).

 

I've got the motor pretty much disassembled on an engine stand. I'm installing the Comp Cam roller cam, new intake and AFR heads...so finding that info is no big deal....is it a casting number I am looking for?

 

I got into a very similar situation with my 66. The "original" engine turned out to be a 69 302 instead of the original 66 289. I found out when I took the crank and block into the machine shop and they told me what I actually had. My block was stamped, which I verified online. I think either 67 or 68 they started stamping the blocks with numbers that identify them.
Your timing pointer should be a casted part of the timing chain cover and if it isn't, you probably have either a different motor or someone has put a different timing chain cover on it.