[Tigers] Stamped Block Date Codes

Mon Oct 30 12:11:25 MDT 2017

Mustangtek.com shows C90E-6015-G as a 351 Windsor block 

Assembly date - 0A10  A is Jan 10, 1970

There is a great deal of Ford engine information at Mustangtek.com -
pictures too

Ron Fraser

From: Tigers [mailto:tigers-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Larry
Mayfield via Tigers
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2017 11:14 AM
To: Tiger List <tigers at autox.team.net>
Subject: [Tigers] Stamped Block Date Codes

We have been having a fun discussion regards SBF stamped date codes, the one
up on the front D side of the engine at deck height location.  During
rebuilds, these generally get milled off during a decking operation. 

In my shop I have a number of small blocks in various states of apartness
and accessibility. So a day or so ago, I went out to find date codes and
stampings. Here are my numbers and what they mean regards date the blocks
were machined for assembly later. Oh, I see that does not seem to resonate
with what others think the date code means: there are those who believe the
stamped date code is the day that the entire engine was assembled.
Something I may need to sort out in my head, but I don't think so. 

Block number 1. A 260 with casting number C30E-6015B and cast date code of
3E3. Stamped number on the pad is 3E9W which translates to 1963, May 9th,
and whatever "W" means. We are all still investigating what the last, if
any,  letter means. 

Block number 2. A 302 with casting number of C90E-6015-G and a cast date of
. Stamped date is 0A10  A.  This one is different in that the first date
code is a"0" and there is a letter "A" at the end,  but spaced apart from
the others.  I am guessing that the "0" is for 1970 which would translate to
a machined date of 1970, February 10th.  Some say the "A" would be first
shift. I am no 

longer sure about this.  There is another stamped number at the back of the
block in the bell housing area: 0A200459. 

Block number 3. This is an old 289 5 bolt bell housing motor I put together
in the 60's. But the block was used and the date code is milled off. And it
is in a position where I cannot get to the casting number and date of
casting. I will see if I can hoist it up to take a look.

Block number 4. This is my 5.0l turbo motor that set the Sunbeam speed
record in 2010. This was a used block that had been assembled by DSS and I
purchased it from a drag racer in Ohio who beat the dickens out of it. The
deck had been milled and the stamped number is gone. If I can get to it I
will check the casting number and date. This was a roller cam block as well.
And I wil check to see if it has a bell housing area stamped number. 

Block number 5. This is a Mexican cast block, "Hecho en Mexico" in the
lifter valley. I have to drag  it out where I can see the casting and date
codes on the lower block area. The stamped date code is 0K27 which
translates to 1970, Sept 27th. I discounted the letter "I" being used so I
think I counted on my fingers correctly but I am an old fart so Sept could
be off.  As with the other 302 block mentioned above there is a stamped
number at the bell housing area: 178256

Block number 6. This is the current motor in the Land Speed Race car. It
started life as an OEM 260 block. It has not been decked or bored. And since
it is still in the car with the starter in place, the casting and date there
are not visible.  But, the stamped date is 3B2 which translates to 1963, Feb
2nd. 

Block number 7. This is the OEM block as arrived from Rootes way back when.
Of course it is still in the car and as we all pretty much know, the casting
and date code is virtually impossible to get at and well so is the stamped
date with the oil filter etc all being in the way. I will be removing enough
hardware to get to the stamped date this week because I need to rebuild the
remote oil filter hoses to shorten them.  And remove the steering shaft that
has the u-joints on it. The upper end of that shaft had some stiff joints
(kinda like my left knee, lol), and I need to repack it with some heat
resistant goop.  When I get all that removed, I will get the OEM block date
stamp info. 

So, what does it all mean? I have no freaking idea but it is interesting!
Especially those date stamps with extra letters which are undefined so far.
Some think it might be an quality inspector tag,  but, I think it is tied to
a special order. Or industrial motor. Or? 

More to come when I can get at the remainder of the casting numbers. I plan
on trying my best to understand ALL of the numbers that appear on the blocks
and maybe heads as well.  The heads that were on the Mexican block have an
aluminum tag, which would have been at the firewall end of the head giving
part number, and some other info. No other head has this tag.  I also have a
pair of open chamber Cleveland heads, bare, that I will toss into the mix.
And byt eh way, if any of you want those or any of the other items mentioned
above, lemme know. Maybe we can deal. 

mayf

_________________________
drmayf
Worlds Fastest Sunbeam, period.
204.913 mph flying mile average speed
210.779 mph exit (not top)  speed

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