351W Engine VIN decode

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 2, 2014 | 12:38 PM

CharlieLed

Thread Starter

Lead Driver

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 8,093

Likes: 653

From: Brentwood, TN

351W Engine VIN decode

I have a 351W engine that I have built and just for the helluvit I thought that I would do a bit of research on the VIN number stamped on the engine block. The number is 0J115614. So far I have found that this is an engine built for a 1970 model and it was built in the Los Angeles plant...the rest of the number is a mystery. The casting number is C90E-6015-B 8 with a date code of 9E26.

In researching the casting and date code numbers I have deduced that this was a 351W engine built on May 26, 1969 for a Fairlane/Torino. On one of the sites I found that this engine was used in the 1970 Shelby GT350 cars. I thought that perhaps I could learn more from the VIN. Any assistance is appreciated...

Nov 9, 2014 | 10:34 PM

baddad457

Hotshot

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 11,141

Likes: 25

From: south louisiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieLed

The VIN numbers are just that: the Vehicle Identification Number of the vehicle it was installed in at the factory. The "O" in the prefix is not a reliable indicator of what vehicle the part was installed in at the factory. Case in point, the E7TE heads which were in production for 11 years and used in trucks, vans, Mustangs and T-birds. This block was also likely cast for two or more years until Ford decided to make some changes to the 351W engine block and thus your casting would have been replaced. Track down that VIN and thus you'll know for certain what vehicle it was installed in at the factory. Just don't bet money that it came out of a 69 Shelby.