Ok, so this 65 mustang we just bought has a 302 in it, but we are thinking the tranny is origional 3 speed manual,that goes with the 289. My husband said that that something is off between the two, but we aren't sure what to do about it, or how to go about it, without blowing our budget completely. We are fixing the car up for his dad...shhh it's a secret lol. We haven't started really getting into the project yet, as we just brought it home. He can give me more info on specifics after he gets home today, so if you need more info, just ask. Another thing, his buddy is half convinced it could be a 64 1/2, but how in the heck would we go about determining if it is or isn't? (he says some of the parts that are on the car don't fit on a 65..who knows if he actually knows what he is talking about) We are at the point where we need to start figuring out our plan of attack, and what we will need etc. Any insights? Thanks! -Shannon

congratulation.... how many does it cost to retro the car?

I guess the first place to start is what do you guys think is wrong with it - or what is the car doing wrong between the transmission and the engine. Is it chattering, or clunky, or things moving around?   It's kind of hard to diagnose without a more  complete description about what the actual issue is.   As I remember, there are a couple obdvious differences between a 64 1/2 and a 65 - although i'm not positive about em since I more specialize in the 67-70 body styles.   I'm pretty sure the 64 1/2's only come with generators as opposed to alternators, but if your car has a 302, the engine has already been swapped out ( the 302 wasnt put into the mustang till 68) Also, I *think* that 64 1/2's never came with reverse lights, and that some 65's did - so if it's got reverse lights on it, then it's not a 64.   What kind of work are you planning on the car? I would imagine that would set what your plan of attack is :-)       I did a quick search on the differences and came up with this:   http://www.mustangmonthly.com/thehistoryof/mustang_1964/   -Dave     How to Identify a '64-1/2 Mustang Understanding the Differences in the Mustang's Most Gala Year

We?re amazed at the misconceptions ahoof about those early classic Mustangs; those classified ads worded "For Sale--1964 Mustang. . " or enthusiasts boasting about their super-rare ?64-1/2. Truth is, there has never been a ?64 Mustang, ever. And honestly, whom are you kidding? The ?64-1/2 Mustang isn?t any more rare than one of its ?65 counterparts. In fact, there are no ?64-1/2 Mustangs at all; that title was coined by enthusiasts. The ?64-1/2 Mustang is simply an early-production unit without the refinements that came later. And another thing, Ford never built a production ?64-1/2 Mustang fastback.

Truth is, the ?64-1/2 Mustang lacks some of the nice engineering refinements and features those post-July ?64 steeds have, such as an alternator charging system, a better engine-to-bellhousing marriage, an adjustable passenger seat, and a host of other items.

A World of Difference

So what?s the difference between a ?64-1/2 and a ?65 Mustang? Not much and yet everything. From 50 feet away, they look the same; close up, they host quite a number of differences. The ?64-1/2 Mustangs have always been ?65 Mustangs--always. As enthusiasts, we call them "?64-1/2" because it?s easier to say, but it?s also a cult thing. Early ?65 Mustangs have the distinction of being the first block of Ponies ever produced. They were an integral part of the Mustang madness that swept the world in