Engine age

[pthomas]

Hi,
Can anyone help me out please?
I have just imported an engine from SA and the following number is cast on the block
C6ME.
this number is stamped onto the block
7D14N
I need to be able to prove the age of the engine for emissions test purposes in the UK.
I have Emailed FORD and they cannot help. Does anyone know where I can get this information from.

THanks in advance,
Peter.

[CowtownCobra]

pthomas,

C6ME:

C indicates 1960's
6 indicates model year '66
ME is for type of vehicle it came out of

however,

7D14N:

7 means manufactured in year 7 of the decade
D means manufactured in April
14 means 14th of the month
N ?

What else can you tell us about this motor?

[pthomas]

Its a 390 bored out to 406 and thats all I can say. Why does the number stamped on the engine not match the casting number?

Peter.

[CowtownCobra]

Because one is a model year code, and one is a foundary date stamp.

But why would a model year '66 be cast in 1967? Doesn't make sense, does it.

[FFR428]

The C6ME 390 block was used for 66 and 67. There is not C7 390 casting and the reason for the 66 block code and 67 build date code. The N is most likely a plant control number/letter. G.

[Excaliber]

At any rate, the C6ME is the key to UK registration.

It's common knowledge that the standard Ford methed to identify parts IS like the code you have on your motor.

My connecting rods, for instance, are C6AE-E. C6 (1966) is the year, end of story. The AE-E indicates a SCJ rod (in this case).

My block is more complex, it has NO NUMBERS at all. But through knowledge of the side oilers, etc there is no doubt it's a 1968 service block drilled for hydraulic lifters side oiler. How I would "prove" that in the UK would be a nightmare!

My heads are C4XX-X,,, (1964).

[Sal Gerace]

I beleive the "N" or for that matter the very last letter in a ford part numbers indicates (I forget the term) when a part may change it's design from it's original design or style. That block was originally designed in 66 for a particular application but when it is carried over to another year only the date code changes not the part number. If small changes are made to the block over it's life than the last letter would change.

[FFR428]

Excal, does you service block have a date code that starts with two dots under a number? G.

[MetaJacko]

Originally posted by Sal Gerace


I beleive the "N" or for that matter the very last letter in a ford part numbers indicates (I forget the term) when a part may change it's design from it's original design or style. That block was originally designed in 66 for a particular application but when it is carried over to another year only the date code changes not the part number. If small changes are made to the block over it's life than the last letter would change.

I thought the Ford change code was at the end of the cast number IE C6ME-N? Or maybe thats just on things like heads?

Paul

[Byots]

nm .

[Excaliber]

Just below the oil fliter mount are:

E
2L4

These are the only "meaningful" numbers. So how do I know it's a 1968? Service blocks did not have numbers, like mine. Only the late model (1968 for instance) blocks were drillled for hydraulic lifters. Plus their are "ribs" cast into the external side of the block for additional strength, again only the late model blocks had these. And of course the side oiler galley is visible AND "drilled" for carrying the oil. I understand SOME late model blocks were cast as side oilers but the passage was not drilled and there were "center oilers".

352 is cast in the front of the block but all FE's have that. Next to the lifter holes (under the intake) are: "427" but MOST (all?) FE's also have that.

The late model, "ribbed" and cast for hydraulic lifters is the best 427 side oiler block out there.

[Sal Gerace]

Sorry I screwed that up. I thought the "N" was at the end of the part number! But the Ford book shows that block being used with at least three different bore sizes. I remember my Mustang had that block and it was a 67-390.

[FFR428]

Hmmmmm. I've had a few 428 service blocks but not a 427. One of the 428's had the same sort of date code as your 427 and the other two dots under a 2 at the beginning and neither had casting numbers. From what I've found the dots were for a 70's block and the number over them the year cast which made it a 72 block. It had a CZAE-6010-F part number on the Ford box and was a 428 service block with the external ribs. I never did figure out the other but have it jotted down in my notes somewhere. Your looks like a Nov 4 1972 but who knows. One of my blocks had part of the date code ground off and had to use a lupe to see it better to figure it out. Service blocks have always been kind of a mystery block to some myself included. I continue to find bits and pieces of info on service blocks and find them very interesting to research. I love a good puzzle. G.

[FFR428]

Something else i've stumbled across....any service block that has the external ribs is a 70's era block. Do a archive search at www.fordfe.com on 427 service blocks. Interesting reading. G.

[Jack21]

Went through a similar exercise trying to explain to a DMV inspector how to determine the "Year" of the engine using Ford part numbers and block casting codes. Had an old Motors Manual (similar to Chilton service guides today) that had part number references back to the mid '60's. Flipping through the pages, I explained how C5 = '65, C6 = '66 etc., for year of manufacture or service.

Might have to resort to this with UK DMV.