Club Cobra - Determining OEM engine for 1966 model

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Determining OEM engine for 1966 model

I've run across what supposedly is an original Ford big block that was pulled from a 1966 AC Cobra. The engine is supposedly all original and was running when it was pulled out in 1966 in an effort to improve gas mileage. Yep, I know this sounds like bull. It is supposedly complete. My intention is to just flip it. I'm looking for information that would help to determine its originality, as well as whether there should be any markings on the engine that would confirm it's original VIN number. This may be helpfull in getting the engine back to the original car. Any information that you can give that would confirm the validity of this being an OEM engine from an AC Cobra would be helpful, or contacts that may know this information. I am not in possession of the engine at this time, and it is not nearby for me to examine. I am gathering information to take with me when that trip is made. Thanks.

NVSAAC has a good page to look at

http://www.nvsaac.com/shelbyparts/engine_block.htm

also, get the p/n off the heads

Quote:

Originally Posted by fgwebb (Post 943211)

The engine is supposedly all original and was running when it was pulled out in 1966 in an effort to improve gas mileage.

Yep, it does sound like bull. Have the fella take a nice slow 360 degree vid of the engine and then post it. If he doesn't know how to do that tell him to have his grandkids do it for him. It is generally much harder to prove authenticity than it is to disprove it. But if it is an FE that was pulled when it was brand-spanking new, and has remained unmolested for 42 years, then that alone will come across in the vid. Maybe we can save you the cost of a plane ticket.;)

You can check casting dates of the components to see if this is even in the ball park. -- the FORD casting numbers and locations are easy to find on the FE for the most part.

In order to confirm a rock-star vintage status; ===you need to figure out which CSX number it came from and establish a documentary "Chain-Of-Evidence" or it is just an old ford FE block. (Still cool, but less $)

keep in mind , it also may have been removed from the AC Cobra --as it was hurt/had a problem. Gas in 1966 was cheap, i dont really buy the gas mileage argument.

Soooo --the only way to establish the condition value of the thing is to take it apart.

-- upon internal examination (by a qualified FE specialist) you can establish if this is the real deal -- or just oatmeal.

--Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by fgwebb (Post 943211)

There are several quite knowledgeable FE people located within your general northern, NJ location. I suggest for now that you post casting numbers for the block(casting numbers and date codes), heads (check both and post casting numbers as well as date codes), intake, and carb for starters. If it is indeed a proper FE engine for a Cobra, there are several here who can point you in the right direction to find out further information. The more information you have up front, the more value you can then place on the engine.

Bill S.

Run from it........before you start slipping in the b-------t.
my 2 cents