Topic: N-case date code verses cars build date

[K-HESS]

I have a Metuchen built 1969 R-code with a build date of 10/21/68. The original N-case was taken out long ago and so the question is what dates should I be looking for on the N-case that would be reasonable to match the production date.
  A friend of mine also has a Metuchen built R-code with a build date of 1/20/69. His axle tag shows a build date of 9A8 but the case shows a date of 8K19 which would make the case almost 3 months in advance of the actual production date of the car. His car is mostly original and was originally built with a 3.50 open axle which it still has. The N-case in his car is the earlier version without the large N on the face.

[jwc66k]

First - Get a Marti report.
Second - A 428 CJ equipped Mustang would be a low production car. A 428 CJ engine would sit waiting for a car order to drop it into. My 66 K engine, another low production car, also sat for 8 weeks in 1965 waiting for a car order.
Jim

[J_Speegle]

Don't have records of allot but can offer the following in an effort to give you some idea and possibilities

NJ examples
Real build date  - 3rd member casting date

Sept 19                    8G16
Jan 28                      8M17
Feb 21                      9A23                     
Mar 3                        9A7


One first half example from Dearborn
Dec 8                       8J19

Going to move the thread over to the 69 section since we're focusing on a single year

Hope this helps in some way

[K-HESS]

Jim, I already have a Marti report but I don't see how that is going to help me answer my question.

Unlike the 428CJ or 289K engines that were produced in fairly small numbers the N-case was produced for many different Ford and Mercury car lines and 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup trucks. I'm sure Metuchen had some stockpiled but the question was how much time normally passed from manufacturing until it was actually used in production. ​

Jeff-, Thank you for your research. This gives me a window into what is more commonly found. Looks like 4 to upwards of 10 weeks would be in the normal zone.

All of the N-cases I have had have the DIF logo so would it be fair to assume they were all made at Dearborn Iron Foundry?

Was the rear axle assemblies completely assembled elsewhere and then delivered to the assembly plants as one complete unit or were they assembled from scratch at each assembly plant?

[jwc66k]

My point on the date is that Ford did not cast and build up an engine at the same time/date as the car it was going into was scheduled, but several days or several weeks before.
The Marti report may have given a "clue" as to scheduled vs actual dates. You are looking for something that does not exist on paper, so clues are the next best choice.
Jim

[J_Speegle]

Unlike the 428CJ or 289K engines that were produced in fairly small numbers the N-case was produced for many different Ford and Mercury car lines and 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup trucks. I'm sure Metuchen had some stockpiled but the question was how much time normally passed from manufacturing until it was actually used in production. ​

No ....see below. Really very little room to stockpile parts

All of the N-cases I have had have the DIF logo so would it be fair to assume they were all made at Dearborn Iron Foundry?

Yes

Was the rear axle assemblies completely assembled elsewhere and then delivered to the assembly plants as one complete unit or were they assembled from scratch at each assembly plant?

Completed rear end assemblies were built and shipped from the Sterling plant to the car assembly plant so would not be any loose N or non-N cases sitting around the car plant as standard practice