On another Ford site, they have a list of codes breaking down the casting numbers Ford used, supposedly...

If that site is correct, my head casting numbers of C8AE-H would translate as follows:
C = Decade of 1960
8 = year of decade (i.e.1968)
A = Galaxie car line
E = Engine engineering

Now, I am new to old Fords and their numbers, but that definitely does not seem possible, especially because as far as I know, a 360 never came in a Galaxie. Now I have not measured the stroke in my engine to make sure it is a 360, but I believe it to be original.

So, what gives?

 

Chances are the motor is a 390 unless the original was swapped out for a 360. That casting number is common on most FEs of that time frame.

 

The part was originally used on a 1968 Galaxie motor. But since heads and intakes interchange, plus most other FE parts, the original application isn't the only place the part ended up being used.

 

No, motor is a 360 from the factory (Y) code with a build date of 2 D 10 (1972 April 10), which matches the truck build date of April 72.

Just wondering if C8AE heads came on 360 in 1972, as the casting number would be 1968..........

 

Ford part numbers are defined this way:

A = 1940's

B = 1950's

C = 1960's

D = 1970's

E = 1980's

F = 1990's

Now add the number for the year, and the letter to designate what model it is, then add a Z for a Ford part. That's the prefix defined. Example 1965 Mustang: C5ZZ; 1979 F150: D9TZ.

Casting and engineering numbers are similar, except the 4th digit ends in: A, B, D, E, F, J, P, R, S, W, X. The usually seen casting 4th digits are: A, E or W.

In casting and engineering numbers, the 3rd symbol...if an A, can be used for everything, truck, or car. M is also used, as is T, etc.

 

Find the date code on the head and that will give you your answer as whether is original to that vehicle. I thought you were asking specifically about a Galaxie. The C8 head number was used in multiple vehicles and years until it was replaced with the D2 heads.

 

So the heads could be original to the truck if the date code checks out. I thought the casting number was specific to the year. Learn something new everyday with this truck!

I will check for date codes in the morning. Where exactly should the date code be on the heads, and what should it look like?

 

Head date codes are located under the valve cover in the middle of the head in between valve springs.

 

What is the little set of numbers near the casting numbers? Kind of like in a triangle.(from memory, I might be wron)

 

For date codes they will be like this.. Example.... 8J13 or 8A5 etc...the first number is the year ending so 1968. The 2nd letter..... will be A-M skipping the letter "I". So A for Jan, B for Feb and so on skipping the letter "I" and going to J for Sept, K for Oct and so on. The last 1 or 2 numbers are the day of the month the part was cast. This format will follow heads, blocks, intakes etc... Keep in mind there are other formats of date codes for other parts. But use the one I listed for the heads, block and intake. Location of the date codes is one of two places. Between the center 2 valve springs like stryder mentioned or parallel of the area casting number towards the end of the head. Most std FE heads are between the springs tho. The blocks date code is below the oil filter adapter same format as the heads. If you see 2 dots under the first number of the date code it's a 69 or later part. The dots were simply a way to use the same date code format but change the decade from 60's to 70's. Why it started in 69 I'm not sure tho.....

G.

 

The casting number usually has the year the part was first produced. So, your heads can exist on any "normal" FE from 1968 up.

In 1972, they came out with the D2TE heads that had induction-hardened exhaust valve seats.

Based on what you say about your engine, either someone slapped a set of C8AE heads on it, because they are EXACTLY the same as D2TE heads without the hardened seats... OR Ford didn't put "1972" heads on motors until well into 1972.

Sometimes, you'll see (for instance) "model year" 1966 engines with "casting number" 1967 heads, cast in 1966. And other strange behaviors. Sometimes a part would be engineered in one year, meant to be put in the next model year, but wound up being produced early and making people think they are in a time warp

So, for your 1972 engine to show up with C8AE heads, even though it "should" have D2TE heads, isn't a huge deal.

For all we know, they had a huge number of existing C8AE heads and just hardened the seats like the D2TE's until they ran out of "1968" castings.

Date codes is what it's all about. Get them, and report back

Oh, and for the "Galaxie" thing, I recently went through a box full of 50's and 60's Ford parts. Lots of "Galaxie" pieces... not.

 

Still have not pulled the valve covers, BUT.......

What are the E/W...E/W.. in a circle near the #5 plug on the side of the head?

Also found on the block drivers side just below the head some numbers 89
352

Any thoughts?

 

352 is very common on these blocks. Doesn't matter what size FE it is. Also 360 and 390 blocks are the same. They have the same bore. Only the stroke is different.