Identifying an unknown FE
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Honkytonkville
Identifying an unknown FE
So I have a motor in my garage that I want to verify what it is so I can sell it and know what it is worth. Where should I start to look? I haven't looked at it much.
Here's what I know:
Factory 4bbl
Thunderbird valve covers(obviously could have been put there)
Came out of 75 Highboy but was told is not original motor.
Numbers I have(these could all very slightly, lots of grease and dirt and some corrosion as well):
Intake: 4D1: (this number is on top of next, on the number 1 cyl runner, close to carb mount)
C4SE 9425A
Heads: 34(all the way to the left)
C4AE 0080 (between the middle cyls)
Block: Left side: E1
Right side: C4AE C1EA
What I want to know:
We have a ford swap meet in a month I would really like to know what I am selling and what it's worth.
Here's what I know:
Factory 4bbl
Thunderbird valve covers(obviously could have been put there)
Came out of 75 Highboy but was told is not original motor.
Numbers I have(these could all very slightly, lots of grease and dirt and some corrosion as well):
Intake: 4D1: (this number is on top of next, on the number 1 cyl runner, close to carb mount)
C4SE 9425A
Heads: 34(all the way to the left)
C4AE 0080 (between the middle cyls)
Block: Left side: E1
Right side: C4AE C1EA
What I want to know:
We have a ford swap meet in a month I would really like to know what I am selling and what it's worth.
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
My guess is either 352 or 390. You'd really need to measure the crank stroke or get the numbers off the counterweight's edge. You also might wanna pop a head off and see what bore size it is. Most seasoned buyers will want to see the same thing so to me it would be wise. Engine seems to be pretty original otherwise. C4AE-6015-A block, C4AE-6090-G heads are the correct numbers there. Those and the intake are pretty much std issue 64 FE. I would also pop a few block core plugs out to show what water jackets the block was cast with. You can do Shoe's drill bit test and gap the wall cores. Value really depends on condition. Block std bore or oversize? Heads ok or beat and sunken valves. Crank undercut? The market is pretty soft right now and things are selling cheap. So guys are looking for deals. If everything is really nice and still virgin $500-600 would be fair. $200-300 for a overbored, undercut beater. One nice thing the block might have (as most 64 blocks had em) is the 427's crossbolt bosses. Makes the block somewhat easy to machine for OEM crossbolt caps. This is a selling point to note if they are cast in there. But you can always start a little high on price and let em haggle.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 8
From: Union, Washington
My guess is either 352 or 390. You'd really need to measure the crank stroke or get the numbers off the counterweight's edge. You also might wanna pop a head off and see what bore size it is. Most seasoned buyers will want to see the same thing so to me it would be wise. Engine seems to be pretty original otherwise. C4AE-6015-A block, C4AE-6090-G heads are the correct numbers there. Those and the intake are pretty much std issue 64 FE. I would also pop a few block core plugs out to show what water jackets the block was cast with. You can do Shoe's drill bit test and gap the wall cores. Value really depends on condition. Block std bore or oversize? Heads ok or beat and sunken valves. Crank undercut? The market is pretty soft right now and things are selling cheap. So guys are looking for deals. If everything is really nice and still virgin $500-600 would be fair. $200-300 for a overbored, undercut beater. One nice thing the block might have (as most 64 blocks had em) is the 427's crossbolt bosses. Makes the block somewhat easy to machine for OEM crossbolt caps. This is a selling point to note if they are cast in there. But you can always start a little high on price and let em haggle.
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
Yes it was but also used on the 390 300 horse Galaxies as well. The unique part to the Bird I'm sure you know was/is the angled carb spacer. Other than that same intake used on both. 406 heads also used the SE in the part number ex C2SE-6090-C. Not the best example but....LOL.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
My guess is either 352 or 390. You'd really need to measure the crank stroke or get the numbers off the counterweight's edge. You also might wanna pop a head off and see what bore size it is. Most seasoned buyers will want to see the same thing so to me it would be wise. Engine seems to be pretty original otherwise. C4AE-6015-A block, C4AE-6090-G heads are the correct numbers there. Those and the intake are pretty much std issue 64 FE. I would also pop a few block core plugs out to show what water jackets the block was cast with. You can do Shoe's drill bit test and gap the wall cores. Value really depends on condition. Block std bore or oversize? Heads ok or beat and sunken valves. Crank undercut? The market is pretty soft right now and things are selling cheap. So guys are looking for deals. If everything is really nice and still virgin $500-600 would be fair. $200-300 for a overbored, undercut beater. One nice thing the block might have (as most 64 blocks had em) is the 427's crossbolt bosses. Makes the block somewhat easy to machine for OEM crossbolt caps. This is a selling point to note if they are cast in there. But you can always start a little high on price and let em haggle.
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Honkytonkville
yeah but I also know that a C4 block can be used in 64, also 65, 66, 67 etc. Especially in 460s there are big gaps between cast numbers in some cases. Obviously everything on this motor reads C4 so it's likely close to that, but I thought there were date codes or something on these motors?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
might be a code on a metal tag under the coil bracket i think,if it hasnt been removed..... i still dont know what combination ive got on my 72/75,engine parts from different years,etc....it runs well,thats what matters!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
The date code for the block is between the oil filter adapter and oil pan. It has a number, letter, and number. The first number is the year, letter is the month (I think it was the letter "I" that was omitted from the designators), next number is the day of the month.
1964/65 was a year break for blocks. 1964 and earlier had only two holes for the engine mounts. 1965 and later have four holes for the engine mounts. The block I took from a 1965 Thunderbird has a "C5" casting number and four holes for mounts.
Here is an example of the 1964 block Glenn told you about:
1964/65 was a year break for blocks. 1964 and earlier had only two holes for the engine mounts. 1965 and later have four holes for the engine mounts. The block I took from a 1965 Thunderbird has a "C5" casting number and four holes for mounts.
Here is an example of the 1964 block Glenn told you about:
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
Cool pic there Mike!!
Scottie, note Mike's info on the block date code location. The heads date codes are between the center 2 valve springs. Post them and we'll decode em. The 4D1 on the intake is the date code of 64/April/1st....yes April Fools Day...LOL.
G.
Scottie, note Mike's info on the block date code location. The heads date codes are between the center 2 valve springs. Post them and we'll decode em. The 4D1 on the intake is the date code of 64/April/1st....yes April Fools Day...LOL.
G.
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Postmaster
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From: Honkytonkville
Ok just went out and looked, block also reads 4D1 and the left side head reads 4C23. I assume both heads would be the same? It also only has 2 motor mount holes. I will assume a true 64 motor then?
Needsmorecoffee.
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 2
From: CT
Block is the same April 1st date then. Left head is 4C23 64/March/23rd and the other may be the same or earlier/later possibly by a few days or a week. Pretty common timeframes and yes it's a 64 engine. 4 bolt block mount bosses started in 65 as Mike stated above.
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