Sweet thanks. Once I get the other ones I'll post them up too.

 

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

 

So I guess it's pretty safe to bet that the '65 engine didn't go in the '74 from new. Unless they thought they were making a fine wine?

 

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).

 

So you don't think it's a '65 model like in post #6 rather a '66 like the C6 block I have? It doesn't matter much either way I just find it interesting

 

Also consider this inre to block casting numbers: They could also be used for service part replacement blocks.

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.

 

I'm not trying to start a pissing match here but 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. There is also D3TE and D4TE blocks to add to your list.

 

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.

 

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?

 

ALL FE engine blocks are denoted with the casting date under the oil filter adapter as Year/month/date

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

 

Sigh....how did I know this would happen....

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!

 

63 and earlier FE blocks have the date code above the oil filter adapter. It's also a larger 1/2" font. Just an observation.

 

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.

 

Old thread but would like to confirm this..
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,

 

Spain wants an engine number. Those were a serial number that sometimes matched the serial number, and later, the VIN. You probably aren't going to find such a number on an FE.

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.