Ok, I'm pretty new to the world of FE engines. I recently bought about 5 truck loads of FE parts. Today a brought home a block and set of heads that I can't seem to find any information on. Can anybody out there tell me where to find a master list of casting numbers so I can ID all the parts I have????
I already know the CJ and SCJ stuff but know little about the good 390 and especially 427's.
Here's what I brought home today:
Engine block with 66-427 cast into the back of the block
date code on block appears to be 8M11 with E1 on the stamped tag below date
Crank that I can't find any ID markings on
Heads: 1 head with C6AEU casting and date code of 6E24 (may 24,1966)
1 head with C6AFU casting and date code of 6G14 (july 14,1966)
I cant find any information on this block or heads. I'm leaning towards a 427 but don't know for sure.
Any help would be appreciated. I'm mainly intersted in finding a master list or websight to check any casting numbers against. There is not telling what I have in all this stuff.
Thanks

 

Casting numbers alone cannot be used to determine which FE application the part applies to.

For example, the C6AE-U heads you reference are garden variety heads used on passenger car FE's. They can be found on 352's, 390's, and even some 428's. Very very common.

The 66-427 cast in the back of the block doesn't tell you anything either.

Most FE blocks also have 352 cast in the front. Doesn't mean they are 352 blocks.

To id a 427 block, you would need to look for other features such as does it have cross bolts, threaded freeze plugs, is it a side or top oiler, etc.

 

Ford has a book called: O.S.I...Obsolete, Supercede, Interchange. You can take the casting number, look the number up in this book, and most times get the true Ford part number from the casting number.
Then you go to the applicable Ford parts book and find out what the part number refers to.

I've have several issues of this book...someplace.

 

Are all 427's cross drilled? Even the top oilers?

 

there is some debate about whether or not all 427's came with cross-bolted mains.

Some say there weren't any, but I believe a few examples have been turned up. The examples tend to be 427's used in industrial settings (irrigation pumps, etc.).

Here is a link to an example: http://www.geocities.com/johnston333/427.htm

 

Most 427's had cross bolted mains. Some side oiler blocks (that sounds like what he has there) were drilled as top oilers. Most 427's had screw in core plugs (not press in freeze plugs) Not all the steel 427 cranks were cross drilled (or maybe I've confused them with the Boss 302 cranks) With those heads and block, there's a good chance you've got a Marine or industrial version of the 427. Measure the bores, that is the only sure way to know for certain.

 

According to my book, the C6AE-U head is a 390 from '66-'68, 67-70cc.

The C6AF-U is not listed in my book.

According to the same book, a block with 66-427 on it is a 427 side oiler. It also says all 427s were cross-bolted.

C5JE-D and C7JE-E were industrial engines.
C6JE-B and C7EA-A were marine engines.

 

The books are generally wrong and incomplete.

Case in point. I bought a virgin 66 mercury 428. Untouched from air cleaner to oil pan. It has C6AE-U heads. Correct date codes, etc.

And, I measured the chambers when I rebuilt the engine. Every single combustion chamber was in the 72 cc to 75 cc range.

Hence, you cannot really rely on the books.

 

You read the blocks date code the same as the heads. So it's a 68/Dec/11th date code. The E1 above it is simply part of the mold ID process used incase there were problems with castings. The offending mold be easily located and replaced or repaired before returning to service. The "66-427" you see on the back of the block is indeed the rear bulkhead of the 427 sideoiler molding. You'll see this on lots of other block castings besides 427's. It was simply left in place as time and money rule over production. Or possibly other bulhead mold were out for repair at the time. You should see a non machined "8" shaped boss on the lower left side of the block. That where the 427 sideoiler rear galley plug and oil pressure releif valve are located. I've seen the 66-427 on the back 428's and 390's beside 427's. Measuring the bore and verfiy the cyl wall cores. That will tell you what the block is. The crank should have some sort of ID number on it. It could be a full casting number or a IU, IUB, 2U, 3U, 2UA type of number. Also the shapes of the cutouts on the rear of the flange can help ID sometimes. Square, halfmoon/football shaped etc... If there is no number perhaps it was ground off at some point. Possibly to assist in balancing. I've also see a few slick guys grind them off to pass them along as something they are not. But I don't think that's the case here.

G.

 

I appreciate all the input on this mystery block of mine. I have pics and even more new info on it that I'd like to share with anybody that might be able to help. Since my last post here I've learned that it does have the XXX stamped in the underside of the lifter galley. There is also a shape on the rear lower driver side that isn't on the other two blocks I have. As for the crank, I've managed to mix the crank up with another crank and can't rememer which came with block. I will say that they are different from each other. One has a longer stroke and the counter weights are shaped different. The flange on the back where the fly wheel bolts is also different.
I would be glad to email pics of all these items to anybody that has the knowledge to help. I worked with an FE expert in CA until midnight last night and we came up with the conclusion that it's an industrial 428 block & heads. I had two other people with original 428's with the same casting numbers, so I'm comfortable with that. The block was for industrial use and should have the same heavy rods as the CJ ( I need to find those rods ). The crank we are unsure of. I need to research the makings on the crank more too.
Anybody want pics??? Just send me an email addy and I'll shoot them over.
Thanks

 

Send them to me. I'll pm my email addy. It sounds like the sideoiler "hump" was cast into the side of the block. I've seen that on other 428's before.

G.

 

The 427 steel crank is easy to ID. Look for a "$" pressed into the forging. As for looking for those "heavy" 428CJ rods....... they used the same rod the 390/410/std428 used, only with slightly larger 13/32" bolts. Now if it had the 427 cap screw rods..... those too are easy to Id. Some 390 crank Id's are C4AE-B, 2U, and 3U. 428 cranks are all 1U, the Cj or SCJ was a 1UA (don't recall offhand which was which)

 

Have you measured the bore? Without that, its all just speculation.

 

I'd heard that marine and industrial 427's were top-oilers.

 

Well, thanks to everybodys help we have a name for the mystery block. It's a 428 block that was used for industrial work. I've confirmed two other people with untouched 428's in their cars (one bought new), that the casting numbers on the heads match their 428's. This is not a CJ but a standard 428. I need to see if I can find the original rods and crank so I have the complete engine. I realize that this isn't much different than a truck 390, but at least I know now. I will building a new FE for my 68 truck soon but doubt I'll use this 428. I have a GT 390 that is complete and running that I'll rebuild for the truck. That means this will be for sale soon.
I've learned one thing during all this, Ford did some crazy sh**t with their FE engines!!!!!!!!! I've learned that what you read in books or on the web isn't always exact. They used left over stuff all the time. That sure makes it hard to back up a claim of owning something unique or special. I've heard everything from "it's a 360" to "it's a 428SCJ" on this venture. Based on what you members have sent me it appears that we have it figured out. Some of you won't agree, some will, but hey it's an FE. That means nobody really knows. lol
Next I'm moving on to the block with the cast "ribs" up the side of the block. I've only seen these "ribs" once and it was on a 427. I KNOW it's not a 427 but what is it? Life would be easier if I'd buy a bore mic.
The man that owned this stuff was an FE god so to speak. He kept his good stuff in the house garage and the garden variety FE stuff out in the barn. He had 3 blocks in the house garage and I have to figure out why.
Ahhh, the things we do to pass the time.
By the way, if anybody is in middle Tennessee, there is a big swap meet and show Fri/Sat/Sun at the Williamson County Ag building this weekend. I'll be there with a vendor booth. Among my Ford junk will be my 69 429CJ engine for sale. Come by and look around. You will probably have to step over the Chebby stuff though.