Hey guys I am new to this small block stuff, I run a 460 right now and thats all I have used in the past. I have been thinking small block for the rpm's and lighter weight. I race in muddrags, 150 ft side x side double elim. I have searched this forum and I am still a little confused on cast numbers. I have a bare block with the main caps( 2 bolt ) Cast #s are E9AE-6015-AA-10 and under that is 8L2 I am sure this is a late 80's block but exactly what is this and is it buildable to 500 ponys? This block is 15 years newer that what I am used to dealing with.

 

The first question: This is a 351W block cast on November 2nd, 1988.

The E9AE means it was originally assigned to a 1989 model year full size car (but could be used in any Ford product with a 351W), the 6015 indicates it's an cylinder block and the AA doesn't really tell much.

Others are better able to answer the other question.

 

What part of the casting number says it's a 351w?

 

It doesn't, because casting numbers cannot be cross-referenced to actual Ford part numbers.

So how would anyone know by a casting number what engine it is?

OP..see if you can the engine ID tag, located in the vicinity of the coil. There's a sequence of numbers, that when decoded, will tell what size the engine is.

Parts catalogs don't say what casting number goes with what size engine, except for one 460 engine (D9TE-6015-AB), and that was because of a running change in 1979 where a specific flywheel had to be used.

The only thing the parts catalogs say is what I typed in the first sentence.

If anything, I'd be inclined towards a 302, because the Crown Vic's were the only cars that used a 351W in 1989 (thru 1991).

E9AE = That A doesn't mean diddly squat. This is not a part number prefix like E9AZ, this is a casting number prefix.

E9AE - It coud be anything, 302, 351W, even a 460...who knows?

It could also be a service part replacement block. Ford may have needed to cast some additional engines in 1989. What engines were these? Pick something from the 1980's.

The 3rd digit of T was used on some 250 I-6's. When was the last time you saw a 250 6 banger in anything but a car?

8L2 = The second week (not the day) of November, 1988.

AA = First design.

 

"What part of the casting number says it's a 351w?"

The entire casting number E9AE-6015-AA, when searched through google, comes up in in a couple of threads on other forums as a 351W.

Perhaps the original poster didn't think to leave off the last suffix of -10, in which case nothing turns up on google.

 

The reason I posted that question is because I don't think there is a way to positively ID what family a block belongs to by the casting number alone, and Bill seems to have confirmed that.