This Windsor, Ontario built 90° V8 was introduced in 1962 as a 221 cubic inch engine.  It was Ford's first modern lightweight small-block replacing the old Y-block.  In 1963 the small block displacement was bumped up to 260 and 289.

The change was increase cylinder bores on early 221's from 3.5" to 3.8" on the 260 and the later standardization to 4" bores on later engines.  The 289 was also fitted with larger valves than found in the earlier small blocks.  The photo the right shows a 1966 289-4V sitting smartly in the engine bay of the same year Mustang.

Through the years, not all small-block Windsor's were produced solely at the Ontario plant, but the name stuck with the engine.  The photo next right, shows the Windsor, Ontario engine plant during production.

In 1962-63 the gross horsepower rating of the 221 was only 145HP.  With the introduction of 289 in 1963, horsepower jumped to 195HP with a 2-barrel carburetor and 225HP with the 4-barrel. The 289HP pushed horsepower ratings to 271HP in 1965 which required the engine to be fitted with many heavy-duty factory parts.  The 289HP has different cylinder heads from those of the standard 289.  The 289HP heads have bigger valves and smaller combustion chambers. 

Carol Shelby used the 289HP as the base for his GT350.  The Shelby's were rated at 306 HP by using a larger carburetor, high-rise intake and less restrictive exhaust. In 1966, High-Performance Models of the Mustang were also fitted with 289HP engines as an option.

In 1968 the stroke was increased by using shorter connecting rods increasing displacement to 302 cubic inches (5.0 liters).  This engine was used in Ford products through 1995. In 1968 , 2 and 4 barrel version of the 302 were also available.  302's found there way into Shelby GT350 in 1968. With the introduction of the 351 Windsor in 1969, 4 barrel versions of the  302 were dropped. [more]