Topic: Early 1968 block search

[tmahle]

Hello,

My car is was ordered 1/5/68 and bucked 1/19/68 and actually built on 1/23/68.  Problem engine is missing.  I think I found a engine with date code 8A5 but the serial stamp has me confused it has 8P* 1332##
Block code is C80E-6015-A and  I have not gotten date code off front tab yet.   I am perplexed what 8P is for I have never seen that before or can find info. on it.  It is definitely not a F ?  Anyone ever seen that on stamped with a serial number?   What does P mean?  Another code which looks like inside main chain drive is 9578 never seen that before either.

My S/N is 1441##  and block is 1332##   is  this too far apart or simply two different plants so hard to tell?

Thanks
Tim

[J_Speegle]

The block with the stamping that starts with  "8P" would mean that the engine originally was installed in a 68 Ford or Mercury model car built at Twin Cities Minn. No Mustangs were assembled at that plant if your wondering

[tmahle]

Thank you.  Next question would a 289/302 block date code of 8A5 still be correct for a my car?  I assume the block came from two various plants and were also put in mustangs in those plants that did do mustangs.  How close do you need to be in order to be date correct?  There are no other markings on a block other than Vin that would designate is there?

[RoyceP]

I would think the engine would have been built (date stamp) around two - three weeks prior to assembly into a car for a 289 / 302. The casting date would likely be two weeks or three weeks before the engine build date. So the casting date typically would be 4 - 6 weeks prior to the car's assembly date.

Your car is fairly typical since it falls outside the time the engine plant was on strike.

[jwc66k]

Hello,

My car is was ordered 1/5/68 and bucked 1/19/68 and actually built on 1/23/68.  Problem engine is missing.  I think I found a engine with date code 8A5 but the serial stamp has me confused it has 8P* 1332##
Block code is C80E-6015-A and  I have not gotten date code off front tab yet.   I am perplexed what 8P is for I have never seen that before or can find info. on it.  It is definitely not a F ?  Anyone ever seen that on stamped with a serial number?   What does P mean?  Another code which looks like inside main chain drive is 9578 never seen that before either.

My S/N is 1441##  and block is 1332##   is  this too far apart or simply two different plants so hard to tell?

Thanks
Tim

What do you want, a 289 block, or a 302 block? What are the first 4 what are the first 8 numbers/letters or your VIN? The blocks are sort of interchangeable for replacements, but in a concourse environment, it's one or the other.
Jim
Note: Jeff asked me to fix this post after he inadvertently altered it.
Your VIN say it's a "C" code engine.
I was looking at Bob Manells "Mustangs and Fords - Small Block V8" for some info and believe I came up with: as a "C" code, the correct block may/could/should be a C6AE-6015-C casting, a 289 casting number. There is some "problems" with 302/289 interchanges. It has to do with the crank and the skirt of the block's piston hole at the bottom. One block needs to be modified for clearances and I don't know which one.
To determine the actual engine assembly date look at a small extension on the LH front of the block - see attached -  in the format of 5H23Z: that decodes to; 5 = 1965; H = August; 23 = the day of the month; Z = QA or assembler. I made a WAG (wild ass guess) and created a date code for you of 7Mxxy: 7 = 1967; M = December; xx = day of the month; y = QA code. A month code of L = November would be OK. A 68 engine build code would be 8Axxy: 8 = 1968; A = January; xx = day, no more than the 15th; y = any.

[J_Speegle]

Thank you.  Next question would a 289/302 block date code of 8A5 still be correct for a my car? 

For the most complete answer to that question we would need to know where your car was built. Transportation time differed depending on where the engine plant and car plants were located in relationship to one another.

I assume the block came from two various plants and were also put in mustangs in those plants that did do mustangs.  How close do you need to be in order to be date correct?  There are no other markings on a block other than Vin that would designate is there?

"Correct" would be one that was the same as on your original block both casting, machine and assembly. Acceptable or one that be close is just that  in a range similar to other cars like yours, same engine, same plant and same production period.

[tmahle]

Car is 8F01C144###  So Dearborn with 289 - 2V .  Engine I'm inquiring about is 289 but listed as 302 Block FOR late in 67 it is listed as 289 but the same coding is also listed as a 302 for early 68.  Not sure if this is one of those cross over blocks that was casted as 302 but built with 289 inners.  C80E-6015-A
He is asking $190.  If this is "too close" to build date I will wait.  Plus it sounds like it was not a mustang motor originally but I will never find the original so getting the right date code block would be a home run .  Sounds like it needs to be 4 weeks prior to build date so a late December 67 block is what I need to search for?   Is the early Jan fords C7 OR C8?

[J_Speegle]

Don't have many 68 Dearborn records with real build dates and casting dates but can offer the following to help

Car is 8F01C144###  So Dearborn with 289 - 2V .

Thanks
Looking at what I do have only found one built after Jan 1 1968. Did not include engines that were built at other engine plants that may have been affected by other outside issues

Engine casting date                 Car completion date
8C1                                            29C


 

Is the early Jan fords C7 OR C8?

Only have J code engines in my records for that specific detail

Have records of

[tmahle]

Looks like a Hard Pass on the block I found for it is way too close to car build date.  My search goes on.  C8AE-6015-B with 4 - 6 weeks prior to Early Dec. 68 is my goal it sounds like.
My other Mustang built in NJ and a early May car had its engine created in March almost 8 weeks so this all makes sense.  I'm not sure when the strike was or if that is why such a larger spread but this is all very interesting.  My quest goes on.
Thanks

[J_Speegle]

I screwed up earlier post so I've kindly asked him to repost if he wanted to. For those that may have seen it and wondered what happened 

Just clicked on the wrong button. First time for that I believe but very embarrassed that this happened

[J_Speegle]

Looks like a Hard Pass on the block I found for it is way too close to car build date.  My search goes on.  C8AE-6015-B with 4 - 6 weeks prior to Early Dec. 68 is my goal it sounds like.
...........

Disagree, if the other dates you have not provided are within range and since its a Dearborn car but your car your choice.

Often assembly and casting dates IMHO are within days not weeks on small blocks and even FE's if its not during a start up period like the introduction of the 428CJ engines during 1968

[tmahle]

So is the assemble date the key date to look at?  If it is a week prior or days before I'm good?

[J_Speegle]

So is the assemble date the key date to look at?  If it is a week prior or days before I'm good?

That and/or (still chancing this detail) the date on the engine ID tag will be the newest date found on the completed engine assembly so those are the one best used to compare IMHO. Days between that date and the car's build day may raise a few eyebrows . Week or more you will get less of a reaction and there are documented examples to use as justification. You will still have an unoriginal engine in the car but you will have made the greatest possible effort to represent the car as can be given the situation of not knowing where the original is

[jwc66k]

My reply, number 4, has been sort of corrected.
Jim

[tmahle]

Thanks Guys for all the input.  Gives me lots to look for and think about.  Tim