I bought a project with what I was told a 390. The heads castings tell me it is a 1963 406, the distributor tag C5AF B tells me it is 1965 352. There are no stampings on the engine bosses. The starter is a rebuilt with no numbers. The tranny has no tag, but has a 8J174322 stamped on the top near the tailhousing/body joint. Oh, the guy I got this from is dead.
David

 

Pictures will help..is the trans a Ford 4 speed, a T-10, or an automatic? 1962-63 406's came with a B/W T-10...but that trans was not used after 1963.

Did you just get the powertrain, or a whole vehicle?

 

One of 2 places on the block you'll find the date code. On 63 and earlier blocks it's on the side of the block and above the oil fliter adapter. 64 and later blocks below that area on the small angled part of the block. Look for a number/letter/number(s) seqence. EX: 5J13. That's the date code. Note that 69 and later blocks use 2 dots under the first number. This was so a 65 casting date could not be confused with a 75 casting date. Also the casting number if the block has one will clue you in on the aprox time it was made. But the date code is exact. As you say it has no stamping on the "ears" or "bosses" as you might mean it could be a service block. And there would be no assembly date stamped in. Nor a casting number on some 70's + blocks. Some casting numbers pertain to a certain block. Most of the 406 blocks use a unique number. Also all 63 and earlier blocks have only the 2 bolt motor mount bosses cast in the sides. 64 and later as the 4 bolt boss pattern. Some blocks this did not happen till almost 65 tho for some reason. So look for the date code and post it. In the meantime....

First number is year ending and note if dots are present.
Sceond letter will be A-M skipping the letter "I" (eye) Jan-Dec. So A for Jan, B for Feb, C for March and so on. Skip the "I" if your month letter is after that. Or you'll have one extra month LOL
Last number or 2 are the day of the month block was cast.

So decoding the above date code I posted of 5J13 would be 65/Sept/13th. If the 2 dots were present under the 5 it would be 75 instead.

There ya go for date codes anyway...

G.

 

I forgot to mention distributor date codes used almost the same format only the last letter will be the week of the month it was cast A,B,C,D. So A for the first week, B for the second and so on.... EX 5BC is 65/Feb/3rd week.

G.

 

What I purchased is a 1954 F-1 stepside. This is an older hot rod project that was never completed. Gave $1,000 for it. The engine and tranny are obviously later vintage. Tranny is an automatic with a after market floor shifter that hits the seat. I have many issues to do with, gauges.senders, radiator too far from fan, no transmission cooler. Keyless/shaved handles that don't work. Tilt hood with no latch and pneumatic cylinders that are shot. Bottom line is I don't think I paid too much, but the truck needs a lot or work. It set for ten years. I will try to figure out how to post pictures.
Thanks David.
PS I will check out the number location later today