[thedrummer021]

Trying to ID the meaning of the R after my date code. I understand that 5J2 would be Sept 2nd, 1965, but why the R? This was on the engraving below the driver side head, behind the timing cover. I can't get to the other casting numbers because my engine and starter are still in. Any ideas?

 

[The Greek]

This is the assembly date code. There's not a lot of info on this, but from what I understand, the last letter designates the assembly plant. I have encountered a "C" and a "W" on my engines. I have a 289 with a "C" which I believe is for Cleveland, OH and a 302 I have has a "W" which is probably for Windsor, ON. Ford has an engine assembly plant in Romeo, MI and that's what I feel is what the "R" stands for.

 

[86967]

no, R was the California assembly plant..makes sense huh? You're in Cali...interesting that Ford used to have a Mustang plant there...needed it, they sold so many Stangs back then

 

[The Greek]

That's not going to cut it. If this is the case, explain the "C" and the "W" that are stamped on my 289 and 302 engines. Ford has totally separate engine assembly plants. The plant produces engines and not complete automobiles. Their locations may not be the same city, state or even country. More than one type of engine can be produced at the same plant.

The auto assembly plant codes are different from the engine ID codes and it seems obvious that the engine assembly plants would have their own series of codes, too.

 

[Ivy66GT]

Ken,

What you are looking at is the engine assembly date and not the block casting date code which is cast into the iron behind the starter. Although of a similar format (YMDD) the stamped assembly dates had a trailing letter of A to Z for an inspection code. No one really knows what it meant "and had no significance outside the factory". Maybe it was the inspectors initial? The assembly date will obviously be a little later than the casting date for the block.

Mustang & Ford Small Block V8, 1962-1969 page E-1

There were only two foundries for SBF engines: Cleveland and Windsor which explains the C and W cast on various SBF parts. On the aluminum engine tags an E meant Ensite-Canada which was across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario. Cleveland was making them first and those may either have no letter or a C for Cleveland on the tag. What are often called the 'Windsor' engines were first made at Cleveland and only later also built in Windsor.

The assembly plant was where the cars were built not the engines. San Jose (R) was not an engine plant but an assembly plant.

 

[thedrummer021]

Oh ok... Now I see. Thanks for the help everyone. Decoding these things are like decoding heiroglyphics! I wonder why they didn't just use simple MMDDYY castings or just plain english? I bet they wanted to create riddles to keep us busy 46 years later :bigthumbsup

I wish there was a way to get to the actual casting numbers without removing the engine or starter. I tried everything from crawling underneath to sending my phone camera in there as a mole... Couldn't get to them at all.

 

[franko66]

I always heard that the "C" was the inspectors last name initial

 

[The Greek]

What I'm now trying to figure out is the Ford engineering and part numbers from the year 2000 and up. I haven't seen anything about how they work. Then again, I haven't really made a concerted effort to find out.

It takes time to figure out all of Ford's codes and listings. I've been messing with Ford stuff for a very long time and I have never seen an explanation of exactly what the last letter of the assembly code means. It may well be the inspector's initial for their last name, but what happens if they are female and they change last names when they marry? That's all we need. Another set of codes!

 

[degins]

That's not going to cut it. If this is the case, explain the "C" and the "W" that are stamped on my 289 and 302 engines. Ford has totally separate engine assembly plants. The plant produces engines and not complete automobiles. Their locations may not be the same city, state or even country. More than one type of engine can be produced at the same plant.

The auto assembly plant codes are different from the engine ID codes and it seems obvious that the engine assembly plants would have their own series of codes, too.

I can attest that the assembly plant in Milpitas(not actually in San Jose)received engine blocks by the train load. The assembly plant was located next to the major Freeway and one could see blocks in the marshaling yard.

 

[Mike Larsen]

Ken,

There were only two foundries for SBF engines: Cleveland and Windsor which explains the C and W cast on various SBF parts. On the aluminum engine tags an E meant Ensite-Canada which was across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario. Cleveland was making them first and those may either have no letter or a C for Cleveland on the tag. What are often called the 'Windsor' engines were first made at Cleveland and only later also built in Windsor..

This is very intersting - that's what I thought about the castings too. I took a 289 out of my 66 mustang - Pwr St, AC, Smog Pump, 2bbl carb, and I just put new pistons, RV cam, reground crank, and the top of the calley has "Hecho en Mexico" embossed in it.

 

[dragorphan]

It sounds like you have the good one. The mexico blocks are stronger. They have the HiPo style main caps and are said to have a better grade of iron in the block as well. Living in Arizona I have come across several of the Mexican blocks. I sold them to drag racers for a base to build stroker motors.

 

[Mike Larsen]

Thanks for the reply, but it still doesn't explaing Ivy's comment, about the Windsor and Cleveland blocks...

Think I'll re-post with his comment

 

[Ivy66GT]

If you wait long enough almost everything will change. My comments were about the early years.

Cleveland made all the SBF blocks in the beginning then Windsor was added in '66. The Mexican blocks were later, i.e. '68, and the early ones should carry a C8AM-6015-B number. The ones from Mexico were officially 302 blocks but you can build a 289 with one also.