[cobrajeff]

Have to disagree with Mr. Mustang AND Goober, this time.

The Ford 289, and indeed the 289/271 HiPo WERE available in 1963. I recall a gal I went to HS with had one in her family - a gold, 2 door sedan 1963 Fairlane 289 HiPo! Granted, her Dad worked for Ford, but it was an RPO (Regular Production Option) in 1963.

As far as "just bore out your 221/260 to a 289" - nope. Pretty risky, and not a very good idea. Ford's "Muscle Parts" books from the 70's say that you CANNOT just bore out the 221 (3.5" bore) or 260 (3.8" bore) to the 4.0" bore diameter of a 289. Not only will you be stuck with a 5 bolt bellhousing (parts are tougher to find all the time), but you will likely hit the water jackets before you get to a 4.0" bore (the block castings are different).

The same Muscle Parts books list the 289 @2V and 289 HiPo as RPO engines for Fairlane in 1963.

I have no doubts that this engine could be a 289, and it would make a sweet piece in an early ('64.5) Mustang or a 289 Cobra (which most had 5-bolt engines, anyway).

regards,

cobrajeff