Topic: 68 Big Block ID sticker (thread split from GT J codes thread)

[68 S Code]

Bob as mentioned the pic Jeff posted is 68 assembly. I have yet to see whether anyone knows which engine plant assembled 68 FE's. The three examples I recently saw in BP's showroom all had the L prefix meaning Lima assembly plant. They were all cars after the mid year change over to Lima. Different plant and different way of doing things. Im wondering where the early 69's were built? Maybe at the same plant that the 68 FE's were built? Have you seen or know of any unrestored early 69 FE's with an original sticker?

[68 S Code]

Someone posted a really nice map of River Rouge plant so I took a look at the legend. I found a building called Dearborn Engine Plant, building 3 and also Motor Plant building 32. When i spoke with Bob P he had mentioned that he remembered hearing that FE's may have been assembled at River Rouge prior to the move to Lima mid 69. I spoke with an engineer at Ford a couple of months ago and he tried finding out for me from within. But said those old timers were gone and couldnt get a diffinative answer. Said RR was a possibility.

[67gta289]

A good friend of mine here in the Detroit area graduated from MSU in 67 and hired into FoMoCo.  His first job was the "390 engineer".  FEs were absolutely assembled at the DEP, not to be confused with the DAP (Engine vs. Assembly).  He has stories about how they had a heck of a time with sand left in the coolant passages due to flaws in the casting process.  Lots of overheating and warranty work.  One of his jobs was to fix that problem.  Another were the valves which were made in the Northville, MI plant.  They were trouble also.  He seems to have a very good grasp not only on the DEP, and where components were made, but also on where developmental engineering work was done (in house and contract). Over the holidays I'll do an interview and share the results.  Probably in one of the member only assembly areas though.

[68 S Code]

John that would be great. I think it would help verify some things. Find out if DEP mean the Dearborn Engine Plant which shows up as Building 3 on the River Rouge map? DAP stands for Dearborn Assembly plant which is a builing where the cars wee put together but considered a seperate plant on the River Rouge campus? See if he can remember when FE assembly moved from RR over to either Cleveland or Lima. Need to get this info shared with Dave at ESC so he can fix the stickers for engines. If your friend worked on the 390 initially did he also work on the 428 PI and 428 CJ? See if he has any photos he could share? See how strike effected or helped engineering?

See if you can get him to log on with you on the site to answer some questions. Almost like a live chat session. That is actually something missing from this site especially if past employees would be invited to come on.

The excess sand in the casting is intresting. Ive run into a number of 390 blocks over the years which once magnafluxed showed cracking of the blocks due to overheating. May have been just poor maintenance by preveouse owner but maybe inherent with the casting process. Ive been stuck with a few bad blocks and refuse to buy anything without mag test or pressure test first. Ask him if all 67 FE's were also at RR. Probably a big help for those owners restoring cars as well.

Thanks for mentioning this.

[TLea]

Finally found the missing engine tag picture I was looking for. Its a late Nov 67 build GT 500. You can't read the  info but shows size/orientation. Only original one I've ever seen on a 68 500. Disregard the heat tube riser as its more of an anomally which is why I have this pic

[67gta289]

Had a 5 min conversation with a retired Ford engineer (Len) who started in 1967 and worked for the original FE design engineer who has passed.  Here are a few facts that were shared:
1. From the time he started, mid 67, till the FE was done (1978) ALL FE engines were assembled at the Dearborn Engine Plant (DEP) located in the Rouge complex.  Lima built the 429/460 engine family along with some 4 cylinders later on.  No FE's in Lima according to Len.
2. The FE castings were done in two locations, (a) the Dearborn iron foundry in the Rouge complex, and (b) the Flat Rock (MI) iron foundry.  Both of these are long closed.  The Flat Rock site is where Mustangs are assembled today.
3. Intake valves were made at the Northville (MI) plant, a very small building located on the Rouge River.  Henry Ford located about 8 or so small plants along a 30 mile stretch of the Rouge River (that flows next to the Rouge complex), thinking that the farmers in the area could make small parts during the winter season.  The Northville plant is one of those.  There is quite a bit of information on this on the internet.
4. At the DEP, machining was done on the 1st floor, and assembly on the 2nd floor.
5. The 390 production ended in 1976.  391 and 361 engines were made through 1978.  Most if not all FE's installed in 1971 and later were in pickup trucks.
6. All of his engineering log books were thrown out in the mid 80s
We are going to connect with a 77 year young FE expert who spent most of his time in the racing program.  Now that will be interesting.  Future posts on what I find from these gentlemen will be posted in "the assembly line" "sub assemblies" category.

[68 S Code]

 Thanks for taking the time to get us some more information and thank Len for sharing. Makes me wonder what the L stands for on some of the stickers Ive seen.