Ford XW GTHO Technical Specifications

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Ford Falcon XW GT
Holden Color Codes A - L
Ford Color Codes A - L
Holden Color Codes M -Z
Ford Color Codes M -Z

In May 1969 the first of the XW GT's rolled off the Broadmeadows assembly line. Ford had upped the ante with the XW by fitting the 351 cubic inch (5.8 liter) Windsor V8 with an output of 290 BHP (217KW) and 385 ft/lbs. of torque.

With bigger brakes, a final drive ratio of 3.25:1, a huge 36-gallon (164 liter) fuel tank and suspension modifications to take the extra power and torque, the XW seemed to be the ultimate Grand Tourer. But more was to follow…

The HO variant, which arrived one month later, was a real street racer. HO stood for "Handling Option" in "Ford-speak", however most of the modifications added were to the engine. It now developed 300bhp (225KW).

The 351 got a bigger (600cfm vs 450cfm) carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, revised camshaft, heavy duty alternator, alloy inlet manifold, a three-inch heavy duty tail shaft, heavier front roll bar, beefed-up coils, stiffer shocks and a new rear roll bar.

In its first appearance at the 1969 Bathurst race an XW GTHO came in second, in spite of wrong tire choice which saw the works cars pitting for unscheduled stops throughout the day.

Production of the XW model resulted in 2,287 GT's from May 1969 to October 1970 and 662 GTHO's from July 1969 to October 1970.

Ford further refined the XW GT with a Cleveland 351 engine, still with 300bhp. The Cleveland engine was used in some late Phase I GTHOs (also known as Phase 1.5) produced around March & April 1970.

These were a long way short of the proper Phase IIs as far as development is concerned... using the standard hydraulic Cleveland engine (but with 600cfm Holley carburetor), wide ratio gearbox, 28 spline diff, standard drums, etc.

The Cleveland powered Phase II GTHO which commenced production in June 1970 sported a 750cfm Holley carburetor and improved gear ratios with a lower 3.5:1 rear axle.

Other changes to the Phase II included, solid camshaft & lifters, bigger push rods, guide plates, close ratio gearbox, "Daytona" diff (which incorporated nodular iron carrier, 31 spline rear axles, larger pinion flange and bearings, larger axle bearings, etc...), bigger diameter tail shaft, larger universal joints, 2.5" wide finned drums, brake proportioning valve, etc... Allan Moffat won the 1970 Hardie Ferodo (Bathurst) 500 in a Phase II after leading from lap 2.

  • Engine Specifications (First 260 GTHO's):
    • Engine: 351 cubic inch (5.763lt) Windsor V8
    • Power (DIN): 224kW (300bhp) @ 5400rpm
    • Torque (DIN): 515Nm (380lb-ft) @ 3400rpm
    • Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
    • Fuel System: Holley 600cfm 4 barrel downdraught carburetor
    • Bore & Stroke: 102 x 89mm (4.00 x 3.50in)
    • Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, 60 degree V8
    • Head Design: Pushrod & rocker OHV with hydraulic lifters
    • Ignition System: Single point distributor
    • Exhaust System: Cast iron manifold, low restriction twin exhaust
  • Engine Specifications (Last 110 GTHO's):
    • Engine: 351 cubic inch Cleveland V8 (5.763 liter)
    • Bore & Stroke: 102 x 89mm (4.00 x 3.50in)
    • Power (DIN): 224kW (300bhp) @ 5400rpm
    • Torque (DIN:) 515Nm (380lb-ft) @ 3400rpm
    • Compression Ratio: 11:1
    • Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, 90 degree V8
    • Head Design: Pushrod & rocker OHV with hydraulic lifters
    • Exhaust System: Cast iron manifold, low restriction twin exhaust
    • Fuel System: Ford Autolite '4300' 650cfm 4 barrel downdraught carburetor
    • Ignition System: Single point distributor
  • Manual Gearbox :
    • Type: 4 speed all-synchronised
    • 1st: 2.78:1
    • 2nd: 1.93:1
    • 3rd: 1.36:1
    • 4th: 1.00:1
    • Reverse: 2.78:1
  • Manual Gearbox :
    • Type: 4 speed all-synchronised close ratio
    • 1st: 2.32:1
    • 2nd: 1.69:1
    • 3rd: 1.29:1
    • 4th: 1.00:1
    • Reverse: 2.78:1
  • Automatic Transmission:
    • Type: 3 speed C4
    • 1st: 2.46:1
    • 2nd: 1.46:1
    • 3rd: 1.00:1
    • Reverse: 2.20:1
  • Rear Axle:
    • Type: 9in removable carrier type, Limited Slip 'Traction Lok' Diff, 28 spline
    • Ratio: 3.25:1
  • Suspension:
    • Front: Independent ball joint, coil springs, shock absorbers, wishbones and anti-roll bar
    • Rear: Hotchkiss type with semi-elliptic leaf springs, shock absorbers and live axle
    • Rear anti-roll bar added
  • Brakes:
    • Front: 286mm (11.25in) Servo assisted Discs
    • Rear: 254mm (10in) Servo assisted Drums
  • Steering:
    • Type: Re-circulating ball power assistance (Optional)
    • Ratio: 16:1
  • Wheels & Tires:
    • Wheels: 6.0 x 14 Steel - Painted Steel '12 Slot'
    • Tyres: 185 x 14 - E70HR14
  • Instrumentation:
    • Speedometer: 140mph
    • Windsor Tachometer: 6000rpm
    • Cleveland Tachometer: 8000rpm
    • Oil Pressure: Gauge
    • Water Temperature: Gauge
    • Fuel: Gauge
    • Ignition: Warning Light
    • High Beam: Warning Light
    • Brakes: Warning Light
    • Clock: Analogue
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 4689mm (184.6in)
    • Width: 1869mm (73.6in)
    • Height: 1397mm (55.0in)
    • Weelbase: 2819mm (111.0in)
    • Front Track: 1496mm (58.9in)
    • Rear Track 1486mm (58.5in)
    • Weight: 1500kg (3308lb)
    • Turning Circle: 11.2m (36.6ft)
    • Fuel Tank: 163.8lt (36.0gallons)
    • Seating: 5
  • Performance:
    • Top Speed: 217km/h (135mph)
    • 0 - 60mph (0 - 100 km/h) - 6.4 seconds
    • Standing 1/4 mile (400m) - 14.8 seconds

Also see:
The Ford Falcon GT Story
Cleveland 4V V8
Falcon XW GT Review
Falcon XW GT Identification Guide

XW GTHO color CODE CHART
Paint Code Paint Name
GTHO
Phase 1.5
Phase 2
Total

R

Diamond White

57
22
40
119
G

Candy Apple Red

59
26
17
102
Y

Grecian Gold

35
8
18
61
 

Reef Green

28
12
20
60
K

Starlight Blue

28
14
14
56
8

Silver Fox

23
6
13
42
F117

Brambles Red

9
0
9
18
H

Track Red

0
0
36
36
A

Polar White

1
2
3
6
S

Electric Blue

0
0
12
12
A

Polar White

1
2
3
6
F099

Shell Yellow

0
0
2
2
T

True Blue

0
0
2
2
Spec

Spec

0
0
2
2

F161

Royal Umber

0
0
1
1

F280

Zircon Green

0
0
1
1
F161

Royal Umber

0
0
1
1
F280

Zircon Green

0
0
1
1
FI

Belrose Green

0
0
1
1

B

Onyx Black

0
0
1
1

None

No Code

20
25
95
140
Total XW GTHO Production
260
115
287
662
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