289 hipo distributor?

CAPTAIN_old · July 4, 2009 at 12:15 AM

Hi all, I'm a big Ford fanatic and drag racer, also a writer for a Ford drag racing magazine. I have a few restorations under my belt, mostly 70-71 Torino Cobras and older 48-56 Ford pickups, but I've never done an older Mustang and plan to as my next project.

The project I'm currently working on is a 1949 Ford F1 pickup that the previous owner had swapped a "supposed" hipo 289 into. I plan on pulling the 289 and putting in a spare 302 I have already done, but as I got the 289 ready to pull out, I pulled the distributor and noticed it was a factory Autolite dual point which intrigued me a bit. A little research tells me that it is a K code hipo distributor, but I am a little unsure and was hoping some of you members here, the K code experts, could verify it for sure.

It is a Autolite that is stamped C5OF-12127-E on the bowl, with 9J15 stamped under that. It also has C5OF-12131-B stamped into the shaft.

Now I know the bowl number is the correct one for the hipo, but what I cannot understand is the date code under that is September 15, 1969......right? Wasn't the 289 defunct by then and replaced with the 302? Does that make this part a factory rebuild or replacement?

I'm interested to see what you all have to say, and a ballpark idea of what it's worth. I'm not doing a hipo resto, so I don't think I need to hang onto it. I'd be willing to sell it or trade it for a 70 429 SCJ distributor (missing that off my father's original 429 SCJ dragpack car that he ordered in March of 1970).

Also, I don't think the motor (supposed hipo 289) is the real deal, because I pulled the valve covers and noticed no spring cups.

Where and what casting numbers should I be looking for on the heads and block?

Thanks in advance, I hope some of you can verify this for me. It took me awhile, but I think I have finally found the site where members can definitively tell me the truth!

SixT5HiPo · July 4, 2009 at 2:00 AM

Welcome to the site...

The HiPo C5OF-12127-E dual point distributors were made in fairly large numbers and were a very popular over the counter ignition upgrade back in the day. The earliest units were cast with the FoMoCo marking, and these were phased out around 1967 by units marked AUTOLITE. The AUTOLITE casting gave way to the final version marked Motorcraft which came along near the end of 1971. Service replacement C5OF-E dual point distributors were produced well after the 289 production was replaced by the 302...

Based on the date code, yours is a service replacement part, and would not be correct for a "numbers matching" application. Values vary depending on condition, and range from around $100 to several hundred dollars. While all 3 versions are functionally identical, almost all original factory HiPo 289 engines came with distributors stamped FoMoCo, until 1967, when the Autolite castings were phased in.

Since your heads do not have the cast in spring retainers, they are not HiPo heads (which have a C5OE-A or C7ZE-A casting number). Early HiPo heads used with 5 bolt blocks will have either a C3OE-E or C3OE-F casting number. All 6 bolt 289 engines use the same block casting, but the HiPo blocks were only cast at the Cleveland Foundry, so the casting number should be C5AE-E. Windsor Foundry 289 blocks have a C6AE-C casting number, and were not used to make the K Code engines.

CAPTAIN_old · July 8, 2009 at 9:30 PM

Thank you very much, I appreciate the correct info FINALLY!

I was getting a lot of "yes it is a hipo K code distibutor" and others were saying, "maybe", so at least now I know for sure.

The other intriguing piece on this motor is the 4 barrel intake. It has FORD cast into it on the front passenger side, and a date code cast into the rear edge that says C9OX-something. I've seen an intake like this for sale on ebay, and it was told to be a Ford performance part from back then, somehting period correct for a street rod.

I'm not sure what direction to go with these 2 parts (intake and distributor), meaning if I should use them on my truck, or sell them to someone who is looking for a period correct setup.

Personally, it doesn't matter to me if I have the Autolite dual point, or an MSD distibutor, as I will be running an MSD 6AL box and Blaster 2 coil anyway. The intake doesn't matter either, I could run the Ford piece, or get an Edelbrock.....really makes no difference to me.

In good condition with brand new Motorcraft points installed, what will the Autolite fetch?

As for the intake, cleaned up & painted with no major flaws?

Will I make enough to get an MSD and Edelbrock setup?

Thanks again guys!

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