Topic: 1964.5 260 Coupe Engine Colour & Engine Tag Code

[JerseySandy]

Hello to you all I just joined the forum. I am based in Jersey, Channel Islands Uk.

I have a 1964.5 Coupe in Wimbledon White which I am currently restoring. The VIN and data plate numbers are:

5F07F163890. Body 65 A, Colour M, Trim 85, Date 11F, DSO 71, Axle 1, Trans 6.

I have a problem with the colour of the engine block as when we stripped it it was the lighter Ford blue used on the early valve covers and air cleaners with no sign of black anywhere.

I know Mustang Monthly and some reference books together with conventional wisdom indicate the blocks were black, however some other reference books indicate the early blocks were light blue..

We saved the engine tag which backs up the VIN and data plate. The car shows a build date of 11th June 1964.

I think the engine tag indicates a 260 2v with a June 1964 engine production date. The tag reads from left to right (top row) : 260 65 1 (bottom row): 4-F 492-B

Could it be possible the engine was diverted from another (Falcon or Farlaine) production line and ended up in my 1964 1/2 ? Therefore explaining the different colour ?

Also what does the B on the right end of the botton row of numbers indicate ?

Also the car came with a Falcon Sprint Steering wheel central hub. Is there any likely hood this would have been put on at the Factory ?

Can anyone shed any light on this ?

Thanks in advance for your kind assistance and expertise.

[midlife]

I believe the 64.5 blocks were the light Ford Blue, then in 1965 the color switched to black.

[carlite65]

I believe the 64.5 blocks were the light Ford Blue, then in 1965 the color switched to black.

uh, don't think so. the only blue would be valve covers and air cleaner. it was the light blue very similar to grabber blue.

[JerseySandy]

Thank you most of my research has indicated the blocks were black with the light blue mentioned by carlite65 for the valve covers and the air cleaner. However I have heard of cars with light blue blocks (Falcons as well) despite common wisdom saying these blocks were black.  And of course my block is blue. Further the Restoration Guide by Tom Corcoran and Earl Davis (MB Publishing Company) does indicate some early blocks were blue. Mind you this also indicates build 00001 had a light blue block which contradicts with the photos on the internetshowing a black block.

I wanted to be 100% sure before I painted over the blue which potentially could have been rare ?

Being in the UK I don't have the intimate knowledge and detail which I can see exists on this forum so appreciate the information. Also thanks for your rapid answers. I have been 10 years on this restoration, just want to get this right.

Alex

[5F09CNot4Sale]

By June they were no longer "early" 64.5's but into full swing production. Are you 100% positive that is the original engine? I have a 29F car and the block is indeed black.

[CharlesTurner]

The block should definitely be black.

[Chris]

Alex:

For you question about your engine tag, "The tag reads from left to right (top row) : 260 65 1 (bottom row): 4-F 492-B"...here is what it means:

From Bob Mannel's book p. A-5, the first/top row reads "260" engine displacement, "65" model year, and "1" level change. The bottom row reads "4" calendar year, "F" month, and then "492" engine number and "-B" suffix. Your 492 engine application code indicates a 260 V8 engine with an automatic transmission. 

As already mentioned by others, your engine block should be gloss black to be original/stock. If you go back with the original valve and air cleaner covers, they would be the lighter shade Ford blue for the 260 V8. I never researched the actual paint code for this shade of blue since I put on an original Ford 260 tri-power in place of my stock 2-barrel carb and original Cobra open-letter valve covers for the 260 (no hole for oil fill or PCV hole...hard to find:).

Hope this helps.

-Chris