Mustang Engine Codes

If you're looking for a classic Mustang of your own, chances are you've seen cars listed as A Code, C Code, and others.

But what does all of that mean?

The code refers to the fifth character of the car's VIN (vehicle identification number), and denotes the engine the car was fitted with when it left the factory.

The most common are C and A, both of which refer to the 289 cu in (4.7-litre) V8 engine with either a two- or four-barrel carburettor.

Particularly appealing are K Code cars, as they made use of an optional High Performance version of the 289 V8 with many upgraded components such as stronger bearings, re-profiled crankshaft and camshafts, high-flow water and fuel pumps, and free-flowing exhaust manifolds, among others.

However, only around 13,000 K Code Mustangs were produced making them something of a collector's item.

A new 302 V8 began replacing the venerable 289 from '68 onwards and most of these were known as F Code cars, confusingly re-using a code that was used for a short time for a smaller V8 in the very first Mustangs.

The 289 HiPo engine was effectively replaced by the more powerful S Code 390 V8 with 320hp, while '68 and '69 also saw the arrival of the monster V8s such as the 427, 428 and 429 Boss.

Code	Engine	Year	Power (hp)	Torque (lb/ft)
A	289 4bbl V8	1965	225	305
		1966	225	305
		1967	225	305
C	289 2bbl V8	1965	200	282
		1966	200	282
		1967	200	282
		1968	195	288
D	289 4bbl V8	1964½	210	300
F	260 2bbl V8	1964½	164	258
F	302 2bbl V8	1968	210	300
		1969	210	300
G	302 4bbl V8 Boss	1969	290	290
H	351 2bbl V8	1969	250	355
J	302 4bbl V8	1968	230	310
K	289 4bbl V8 HiPo	1964½	271	312
		1965	271	312
		1966	271	312
		1967	271	312
L	250 1bbl V8	1969	155	240
M	351 4bbl V8	1969	290	385
Q	428 4bbl V8	1969	335	440
R	428 CJ 4bbl V8	1968	335	440
		1969	335	440
S	390 4bbl V8	1967	320	427
		1968	325	427
		1969	320	427
T	200 1bbl 6-cyl	1965	120	190
		1966	120	190
		1967	120	190
		1968	115	190
		1969	115	190
U	170 1bbl 6-cyl	1964½	105	156
W	427 4bbl V8	1968	390	460
X	390 2bbl V8	1968	280	401
Z	429 4bbl V8 Boss	1969	375	450

In case you're wondering, the 1964½ model year refers to the first six months of Mustang production which technically took place prior to the 1965 model year starting. Although the VIN of these early cars identifies them as a '65 model and Ford referred to them as such, they do feature subtle differences to those produced after the '65 model year officially began so are informally known as '64½ cars.

Bbl denotes the carburettor type, i.e. 4bbl is a four-barrel carb.