I was just wondering if I could narrow down the year of my motor. I was trying to figure it out but I don't know much about the date code. It says C6ME-A which I guess is pretty broad. The date code I think says 3M. Here are 2 pics don't mind the loc n stitch that fixed the cracked block.

 

According to my book, there is a range of blocks and years it could fit. Are there any other identifying marks/numbers?

 

The first number is a 5 no way it could be a 3. First number = year, Second letter = Month, Last number = Date.
C6ME-A castings were used from 66-68 I think so it must be a five.

The last number looks like maybe a 4?
That would make it December 4th 1965.

 

The only other one I seen which I guess is the mold number was 25 DIF.

 

I didn't think that last mark was a number but after looking at it I would say its a 4. I never would have guessed that it was that old. I was pretty sure it wasn't the orig block from what my dad and grandpa said about the PO which was back in the 70's.

 

To me, it appears to be A5M ~ First digit = week, second digit = year, third digit = month. One way FoMoCo cast date codes.

Cast the first week (A) of December (M) 1965 (5).

Since FE engines look identical and most were cast as 352's, casting numbers on engine blocks are worthless for ID'ing the engine size.

Casting numbers are foundry marks, cannot be cross referenced to Ford part numbers.

The C6ME-A block, when finished, could be a 352, 390, 410 or 428.

Measuring the stroke will give you a better idea of what the engine size is: 352 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78" / 410/428 = 3.98"

 

Thanks. I know what size it is now so that's not the issue. I can't believe it's that old though. Is there a chart available somewhere that has what the date code identification? I have another I want to check then.

 

Have a Ford parts catalog handy? If not, you don't have much to go by...considering the confusion this engine date code caused.

 

No I do not and I do know what you mean. The other one had the little metal tag on it yet up on the intake the said it was a '68 model so I was just curious if the date code did match the removable tag.

 

That's the engine ID tag, amazing it's still there, cuz most went bye bye years ago.

Post a pic of it. I'll decode it for you...using a Ford parts catalog.

 

Ok I will once I can. I'm parked at my desk for the next 8 hrs. It's a wonder it was still there but was pulled from a '68 ltd like 25 yrs ago. It is a 390 2v motor and I think it did say 390 on the tag. It's been a while I don't remember.

 

That's not an A. That's the screw holding the plate in place. Looks sorta like it though.

I think you're mistaken on the order of these codes. It's year/month/date.

To OP. You shouldn't be that surprised of the date just by the casting number, C6=66. Which as I mentioned earlier were used through 68 so that fits that it could be from a 68 LTD. I don't know if you ever visit the other FE forum but just search "date codes" and you'll find a thousand examples of decodes.

 

I actually don't know what any of the numbers are on the LTD motor. I was planning to get them tonight for ND but might not happen. That 390 is my father inlaws 65 F100. That one replaced a knocking 352 which is my next question since you guys are so good.

 

This is the knocking 352 which is a whole lot easier to read than mine. His truck is a 65 F100 and we just wondered if this possibly the orig motor it came with. It too has a "C6" code

 

6F23=June 23 1966. It would seem that it's not original to the truck being that it's in the 66 model production.