FE block identification
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
It still appears to be A5M with a blob of metal before the A and after the M.
Originally Posted by Sleepy445FE
6F23 = June 23 1966. It would seem that it's not original to the truck being that it's in the 1966 production.
The block is cast, then placed outside to season. Could take anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks for this to occur.
Then the seasoned block is shipped to the engine assembly plant to be finished. Once finished, the complete engine is shipped to an assembly plant where it is "banked" until needed.
Originally Posted by Sleepy445FE
C6ME-A castings were used from 66-68,
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
AFAIK, the 1964/65 FE block casting number was: C4AE-A ~ This is what was cast on my 1965 F100 352 engine block (bought the truck new 3/1965, sold it 11/2009).
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
But a 1965 would not have a C6ME-A block casting number "as original" since new vehicle production ended in August 1965. Last 1965 serial number: 731,001.
Truck serial numbers apply to all series of trucks and Econolines, and Bronco's beginning with the 1966 model run....not just to F100/350's.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 1
From: Axtell, TX
I'm mistaken? As I said, "this is one way FoMoCo cast date codes."
It still appears to be A5M with a blob of metal before the A and after the M.
How long after the block is first cast could it be installed in a vehicle? It could be anywhere between two months to...who knows.
The block is cast, then placed outside to season. Could take anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks for this to occur.
Then the seasoned block is shipped to the engine assembly plant to be finished. Once finished, the complete engine is shipped to an assembly plant where it is "banked" until needed.
Other FE casting numbers I'm aware of used after C6ME-A: C7ME-A / C8AE-A / C8TE-A / D2TE-A / D5TE-A
It still appears to be A5M with a blob of metal before the A and after the M.
How long after the block is first cast could it be installed in a vehicle? It could be anywhere between two months to...who knows.
The block is cast, then placed outside to season. Could take anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks for this to occur.
Then the seasoned block is shipped to the engine assembly plant to be finished. Once finished, the complete engine is shipped to an assembly plant where it is "banked" until needed.
Other FE casting numbers I'm aware of used after C6ME-A: C7ME-A / C8AE-A / C8TE-A / D2TE-A / D5TE-A
And I don't know what to tell ya if you can't see the "A" is half of the slotted screw located on both sides of the plate.
Just to clarify, when I said the C6ME-A block was used through 68 I didn't mean there weren't other castings also, just that it could still be found as late as 68. There is also D3TE and D4TE blocks to add to your list.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 8
From: York, Pa
I don't want anyone to get shot over this
If I get a chance tonight I will try to take a wire brush to and see if looks any different. It's a possibility there is some caked gunk that got painted over.
If I get a chance tonight I will try to take a wire brush to and see if looks any different. It's a possibility there is some caked gunk that got painted over.
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Joe Kucinski
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Look I'm not trying to start a pissing match here. FE block dates ARE identified by year/month/date. Others may have used a different system but that's the way you read these.
As such, having a letter first does not compute.
And I don't know what to tell ya if you can't see the "A" is half of the slotted screw located on both sides of the plate.
Just to clarify, when I said the C6ME-A block was used through 68 I didn't mean there weren't other castings also, just that it could still be found as late as 68.
As such, having a letter first does not compute.
And I don't know what to tell ya if you can't see the "A" is half of the slotted screw located on both sides of the plate.
Just to clarify, when I said the C6ME-A block was used through 68 I didn't mean there weren't other castings also, just that it could still be found as late as 68.
Block casting date codes could be: week/year/month .. year/month/date .. year/week/month .. year/date/month.
If you were a Ford partsman during this time frame, you would know this. I'm 67 years old, was a Ford partsman from 6/1962 thru 8/1997.
You're 26 years old, so you weren't alive when these trucks were new. How many years of Ford parts experience have you had in your 26 years?
How many Ford parts catalogs and other Ford literature do you have?
Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
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The tag was screwed into the mold with slotted screws hence why it looks like a cast tag with screw heads.
Starting in 1969 the DIF foundry put 2 dots under the year so it wouldn't be confused with a 1959 block etc.
It's not hard to understand.
Josh
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 1
From: Axtell, TX
What I've found amusing here on FTE since the day I first joined is...peeps with no Ford part experience, no Ford parts catalogs, no Ford literature of any kind...argue with those that do.
Block casting date codes could be: week/year/month .. year/month/date .. year/week/month .. year/date/month.
If you were a Ford partsman during this time frame, you would know this. I'm 67 years old, was a Ford partsman from 6/1962 thru 8/1997.
You're 26 years old, so you weren't alive when these trucks were new. How many years of Ford parts experience have you had in your 26 years?
How many Ford parts catalogs and other Ford literature do you have?
Block casting date codes could be: week/year/month .. year/month/date .. year/week/month .. year/date/month.
If you were a Ford partsman during this time frame, you would know this. I'm 67 years old, was a Ford partsman from 6/1962 thru 8/1997.
You're 26 years old, so you weren't alive when these trucks were new. How many years of Ford parts experience have you had in your 26 years?
How many Ford parts catalogs and other Ford literature do you have?
Show me one example of an FE block date code that's not decoded the way I've stated. Cause a simple search of the other FE forum will show thousands of examples that support it since you won't believe a youngster like myself. Information can be learned at any age. Geez get off your high horse this is common knowledge.
Blocks I have currently
(no casting #) 9k8=1969/October/8th
(D3TE) 3(with two dots under it indicating 70s)k10=1973/October/10th
(C6ME-A) 7A20=1967/January/20th
I guess since I don't have a parts catalog all that's wrong though..
Bullitt knows what's up!
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
There's also the stamped assembly date in the left ear of the block by the head deck. This is normally a few days to a few weeks later than the casting date depending on the year. The old 406 I had had matching block and head cast date codes and was assembled the following week. Your results may vary.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 206
Likes: 3
From: Ibiza Island
i will need this number to register my truck is Spain. For my application, would be the same location to find the tag/number.?
thanks,
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,472
Likes: 2,799
What year and model vehicle and engine are you dealing with? SOME late '60s high performance cars (think 428 Mustang or Boss 302) had partial VINs stamped on them.
Scroll down a bit here for a picture. Not easy to get to.
https://www.428cobrajet.org/id-block
More on casting numbers:
Ford 352, 390, 406, 427 and 428 Engine Blocks
Thousands of blocks will have the same casting numbers.