This used C30E balancer was SOLD for an amazing $555.00 by eBay seller "circlecityauctions".
DESCRIPTION:
THIS IS A NICE ORIGINAL 289 HIPO HARMONIC BALANCER USED ON FORD FAIRLANES, MUSTANGS, COBRAS AND SHELBY GT350.
IT HAS A C30E ENGINEERING # ON IT.
... it is a bad ass looking body style, recently(?) restored, and if the right price could still be a good buy.
Totally agree! It's a sharp looking body.
...look for the positive guys. the car is what it is and any old car is good to have at the right price. educate the seller, maybe he doesnt know better.
Several emails were sent to inform (and educate) the seller regarding the facts about his car. Apparently, he decided to keep his listing less than honest.
This one ended with the car NOT SOLD. The high bid was $4600.00, but the seller's reserve was not met.
Quote from bobmannelThe Comet 289 HiPo option was actually announced by Mercury's 1964 TSB #3 dated 10-4-63. This bulletin was superseded by #3A dated 4-17-64. #3 was supposed to be destroyed, but I have a copy. #3 offered only the 3-speed with 2.71:1 rear, which was essentially the Daytona Durablity Run package.
That makes sense...I knew that the L-M TSB #3 existed, but never had a chance to see a copy. I'll always remember the 1964 Comet ad campaign that was based on the 100,000 mile durability run staged at Daytona to show off the reliabilty of Ford's (High Performance) small block V-8. They also ran another group of "Durability" 1965 Comets from the tip of South America at Cape Horn, to Fairbanks, Alaska, in a 40 day 16,200 mile trip on the very rugged Pan American Highway system.
Quote from bobmannel#3A added a 4-speed with 3.89:1 rear option as well. As a piece of trivia, Mercury was supposed to code the 289 HiPo was "D" in the VIN, but it never happened. If they had, it would have resulted in the Comet and Mustang using opposite coding for the 289 regular-fueled 4V and the 289 HiPo. I think Mercury coded the regular 289 4V as K to cause the uninformed to think they had a "hot" engine. But, I will say that this was a great engine for around-town driving. Good motor in the Mustang, too. A heck of a lot better than the 260 2V!
The "phantom Mercury D code" was continued in the manuals for 1965. My 1965 Mercury Master Parts Book refers to specific 289 HiPo engine, drivetrain, and suspension parts for use on Comets with "Warranty Code D". Oddly, the same book has NO listing in the Engine Code Section for a D code (HiPo) engine. The few authentic 1965 HiPo Comets I've seen have an A code, or are blank at the 5th position of the VIN. They all have a 6 digit DSO code.
I've heard the K code Comets are not K codes as a Ford would be ...K code for Mercury is something like 200 hp or 2V car.. can someone bring some light to this for me... Just want to clear some cobwebs...
OK Mike, that's mostly correct. The K code '64 Mercury Comets are a low compression, regular fuel 4V 289 that is essentially the same as the D code 289 that was available on the early 64.5 Mustangs. They are by no means a rarity. Why Mercury used a K in 1964 to designate this engine is still a mystery to this day...
The true HiPo Comets are extremely few and very far between. The only real clue in the VIN is a 6 digit DSO number since these cars were only available by dealer special order. A manual transmission was mandatory, but there was a choice of either a 3 or a 4 speed synchomesh transmission. The 9" rear axle was either a 2.71:1 ratio with the 3 speed transmission, or a 3.89:1 with the 4 speed. Heavy duty front and rear springs, heavy duty clutch, a cast steel scattershield, larger brakes, and 14x6" wheels were included, as well as a 42 amp alternator and an optional, transistorized ignition, with an 8000 RPM tachometer. A heavy duty extra capacity radiator and 14" 4 blade fan provided the cooling.
A Lincoln-Mercury Service Bulletin, Number 3A, officially released the "271 HP" option for the 1964 Comets on 4-17-64, and this news was probably easily lost in the excitement caused by the launch of the exciting, all-new Mustang from the Ford Division at the same time. It was offered on all Comet models except the station wagon and convertible. The only positive way to identify the authenticity of one of these special Comets is to have the build sheet or original dealer invoice.
Am I wrong to say that a GT should be equipped with an "export brace" instead of the two bars, under the hood?
Yes, it is wrong to say that all GT Mustangs came with export braces installed by the factory. Export braces were found on any Mustangs that were exported from the US...
...whats the dip stick doing sticking out that far?
If the car had a generator, the dipstick would be properly located.
Quote from CharlesTurnerBecause they have a 64 1/2 timing cover. Note the blocked off section for the oil filler neck. Most likely a pieced-together motor.
That's exactly right, Charles. The corporate blue paint says it all, doesn't it?
Here's yet another 1964 K code "289 High Performance" Comet for sale on eBay. This one even has an automatic transmission! Wow! Note the standard 2 digit DSO code, a sure sign this car was never a real HiPo. The standard harmonic balancer and vacuum advance distributor say it all..Nice looking car, but really NOT as advertized.
Got to wonder what these engineers were thinking when they designed this. I would have had the handle screw on with a lock nut to secure it. Simple on...simple off........ET
I guess there are several ways to design a fastening method for the brake handle. The drive pin was probably chosen because it prevents any chance of the handle rotating loose. Since you must twist the handle to release it, a screw on design can be more likely to loosen up over time, and the engineers wanted to maintain a positive attachment method that would hold up for a "lifetime" of service. Back then, average "lifetime" of a car was probably considered around ten years or less, and no one figured we would be fussing over difficulties removing the pin for restoration 40+ years later.
Quote from bobmannelYes, I still have the 63 Fairlane 4-door.
It's gotta be an amazing car...
Fairly nice looking, though underhood looks like it was done by a plumber...
Agreed! 
I have an Autolite dual point distributor with part number C5OF-12127-E and a date code of OJ28. Can anyone decode this date code?
September 28, 1970.
Do you have Smarts book to see if my K is in that book?
Sorry, I looked it up, and it's not listed there...
I THINK YOU GUYS SHOULD MEET AT MY SPOT AT FORD CARLISLE THIS JUNE ...
Let's hope many of us can meet at Carlisle. That would be great! 
Quote from bobmannelSo, if you have a 65 HiPo from August 1964 to about March 1965, it could have a road draft tube, although most will likely had the PCV.
Hope this helps.
It sure does! Thanks, Bob.
What is your date code on the intake?
Although I have memorized a lot of numbers, I do not remember the date code on the intake manifold. The car is presently at another location, but I expect to take it out for a drive this weekend. I promise to check the intake manifold date code if it will help clarify this.
All I'am saying is check the date code and it will confirm everything. You will then know that Ford used the parts they had at hand when that car was built.The parts at that plant may of been shipped there 6 months early, and they used those first... You don't have to prove nothing to me just to yourself. What was built at that plant before Mustangs? Posible Fairlanes, Comets, or Falcons?
The particular assembly plant where the car is built is NOT the place where the intake manifolds were installed. The 289 engines were completely assembled, including the intake manifold and carburetor, at the Ford Cleveland engine plant. They were test run, and then packed into containers for shipment to the various assembly plants. The accessories and necessary brackets were added at the assembly plant when it was determined which type of car would use the engine.
The Metuchen, NJ plant did not build Fairlanes. I don't know if any Falcons were made there. Mercury Comets were built there in 1965.
Does the road draft tube exit right above the H-pipe or go around it? My 64 1/2 Mustang 260 coupe road draft tube went around the Y-pipe but hit the H-pipe when I put duals on it.
The draft tube is the correct HiPo style, and does not have any clearance issues with the exhaust manifolds or the H pipe. It carries a different part number than the standard V-8 draft tubes.
You may want to check your date code on your intake.
I have verified ALL the date codes on the original engine, and they are well within the accepted timeline. The engine assembly date stamped on the block is February 15, 1965, which is the same as the scheduled build date of the car. This is why the car wasn't built "on time", and wasn't delivered to the dealer until March...
did you buy the car NEW?
No...but I got the car from the original owner, who was 98 when he sold the car about 5 or 6 years ago. The engine and drivetrain is original, and has never been rebuilt. The engine id tag and all date codes match up.
Maybe differant factorys did differant things. Maybe a Level change? But I would check your date code to make sure. The fact is in your date code on your intake!
We already know that the different assembly plants are responsible for certain subtle variations that drive historians and MCA judges crazy...I am certain that my car has an original, unrestored engine and drivetrain. I have the oral history from the original owner, two build sheets, and original invoice to verify the timeline completely.
Mustang assembly at Metuchen began in late January or early February. The car's low consecutive number fits in with other documentated Mustangs from this plant, placing it in the proper chronological sequence. The only anomoly is the delay caused by HiPo engine shortages at that time. That is why the car wasn't delivered and invoiced by the dealer until the end of March. By the way, the car was ordered in December of 1964, when the original owner was a only 63 years old! It was his "daily driver", and he logged about 84,000 miles on the car. He wasn't a retired guy at that time, and worked full time well into his 70's, and continued driving the car until he was around age 97...
I believe you have that wrong... All 65's had a PC system it was the LAW! And all 1965 HIPO valve covers had a PCV port. All 64 1/2 had road draft tubes except California DSO cars.
I strongly disagree. My February, 1965, engine has a road draft tube that is attached to the valve cover. The car is Metuchen built with DSO 23. Scheduled build date Feb 15, and dealer invoiced March 31, 1965.
Quote from FordnutDoes anybody have any ideal as to who supplies the best, correctness,best fit, interior trim? I'm refering to carpet, door panels, etc.
I guess you missed this thread dealing with the agonies of replacement carpets: http://www.hipomustang.com/hpmx/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4533
Nice looking car...It's interesting the front and rear bumper guards were left off for some reason...
