The 1964 Galaxie 500’s standard C-code 4.7-liter 289 V8 made 195 brake horsepower (BHP) with a 9.0:1 compression ratio and a Holley two-barrel carburetor. For comparison, the V-code 3.7-liter 223 inline-six made 138 BHP with 8.4:1 compression and a fuel-sipping single-barrel Holley carb that earned it the nickname, Mileage Maker.
Since fuel economy wasn’t as critical in 1964 as it would be later on, engines with more horsepower were a popular option. One V8 option that retained the appearance of the base 289 engine was the A-code 225 BHP 289 with 9.8:1 compression and a Holley four-barrel carburetor.
The X-code 352-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) V8 delivered 250 BHP with its 9.3:1 compression ratio and four-barrel Holley carburetor. There were two 390 (6.4-liter) V8 versions available for the 1964 Galaxie 500. The first, a 300 BHP Z-code with 10.1:1 compression and a Holley four-barrel and the second P-code Police Special with 330 BHP, both delivered 427 lb-ft or torque.
Ford’s 427 was available in two variants, identified as Q- and R-codes, for the 1964 Ford Galaxie 500. The Q-code 427, rated at 410 BHP, used a single four-barrel carburetor. The R-code version made 425 BHP thanks in large part to its dual four-barrel Holley carburetor setup and 11.5:1 compression ratio.
