Topic: 1966 A code question

[Hipo giddyup]

Just a day ago I came across a great deal on a near complete  66' A code engine. Casting date is September of 65'. The question I have is about the timing cover. This looks like the transition cover between the engines using the oil fill tube (64-65?) and the later 66' 67' timing covers without this "plugged" area. Can anyone elaborate on this and the change over?? I'm guessing that this cover is original as this block still retained the standard size Ford crank and rod bearings and still has the button top fuel pump and FOMOCO water pump. Does anyone also know who restores button top fuel pumps?? Thanks!    (I paid $30 for everything.. Which is think is a good deal.) 

[jwc66k]

Probably a good deal but the timing cover is way too early for a September engine. In your third picture, there is an engine assembly date on the block on a "boss" that has the top long bolt for the water pump and timing cover to the block (just to the left of the fuel pump and up a bit). To tell what you have, see if you can get some Ford part numbers (Carter from the pump) from the cover and pump. A better determination can be made. Do you know if the engine has been rebuilt?
Jim

[rodster]

You need the Small Block Ford book by Bob Mannel. 

Fuel pump rebuild:

Were you ever able to come up with the fuel pump that you need? I am the one that restores them for everybody around the world at this time and I probably have a restored unit that is approriate for your car. Please let me know either way.
Best regards,
Fred
661-251-2362
fredsclassics@hotmail.com

I'd say you got a good deal! 

[67gtasanjose]

No, That's a really BAD deal for for the $$$  Take off the bracket that is bolted on with the timing cover bolt (seen in image #3) somebody should be looking for that item, that should recover your loss of time and money and just junk the rest  I can give you the scrap value & haul it away for you if you need help with it  

[Hipo giddyup]

I felt like this cover could have been replaced due to this odd cover but they definitely did not do a rebuild, at least not of the main block. I guess there is a good chance the front pieces got replaced over the last fifty years. I always wanted a button top fuel pump and this was like icing on the cake. I feel very lucky for this purchase. Not trying to rub it in but I  also got a different date cast 4v manifold with original spacer for $50 and a pair of cal custom aluminum valve covers in great condition for $10. (Always wanted a pair of those to hang on the wall.)

I guess 67gtasanjose is describing the fuel bracket?? Never see one quite like this. I'll get another pic of it..

Thanks Rodster for the rebuild info.

Jwc66k, I looked at the boss on the block and there is no stamping I can see . I'll get a close up pic of that too.

[Hipo giddyup]

 Here are a few more pics. The first is the fuel line attachment that's mounting to the timing cover.  Is this a 65 or 66 specific bracket?  Second pic is the engine boss where I cannot see an engine date stamp?

[Richard P.]

The fuel line bracket is 1965.

[jwc66k]

It's a 65 fuel line bracket. Assembly date stamps were put on at the engine plant, not a final assembly plant detail. No assembly date stamp, it's probably a replacement block. The fuel pump is a 65 type, not a 66. You still need to look at the Carter p/n stamp in the mounting edge to see what it is.
Jim

[ChrisV289]

Also that looks like a aluminum water pump.  Didn't they switch to cast iron around June of 65?

[Hipo giddyup]

Ill try and get a good pic of the block date stamp above where the starter mounts. Curious why it wouldnt also be stamped in the front boss, even if its a replacement block. Would Ford have offered a replacement A code block? Or could this be a replacement 289 from who ever?. Guess its hard to say? Thinkng about the possibilites now have me guessing the engine could be a Frankenstein replacement. The distributor checks out as a 4v unit for a 65' per its stampings. Ofcourse the intake and carb were long gone... Ill get some date codes off of the exhaust manifolds, wtaer pump,etc. and check that too. Where on the fuel pump would the date stamp be?. Thanks for the replies everyone.

[GT500KR]

I think that the date on the pad near the timing cover would be a build date, stamped by the worker. Possible that it was overlooked, or could be a service block, or the stamp can sometimes be erased by "decking" the block during a rebuild. The date under the starter would be the casting date. (earlier than the build date of course). You mentioned that you looked at the rod and main bearings. If memory serves correctly, didn't Ford stamp a month and year on them as well, like 9-65? If that jived with your casting date under the starter, maybe either way even because they may have been manufactured before, during or after the block was cast by a number of weeks, then it would support your theory of it being all original.

[J_Speegle]

If you machine the top of the block (head mating surfaces) this removes the original assemblers markings - just a possibility.
 
For warranty and such work after the sale Ford would often use rebuilt engines supplied by outside contractors.  Never heard (might have been) of a complete assembled A code engine though some left overs from the line supply may have made it into the service parts channels and sold that way. Those would have  had an assembly date on them also since they were built by the same workers at the same engine assembly plant

If you checked the oil pan flange you might have found the machined date for the block  but if the assembly date is there that is a better guide for most of the things we do

[Hipo giddyup]

So the numbers I'm seeing are all over the place. This is a Frankenstein engine. The engine is stamped 5J2 above the starter area. The heads are 5D10 and 8. The exhaust manifolds are 5D12 and 5E8. Water pump looks to be a 68' casting. The engine bearings are marked Fomoco 3-65. The distributor is dated 5FC?? And the fuel pump is stamped 1719? Which I am unsure of its application. If this is a replacement block would the remanufacture have decked the block to remove the build date?? Curious.. All in all still happy with what I received and the price. The bores actually look really good with no ridges that I can feel. 

[jwc66k]

The distributor, C5GF-12127-A, is used on 65-66 (non smog for 66) 4 barrel AT and MT engines. It has "value".
The fuel pump number, 1719, is the casting for an entire series. The specific part number is visible on the mounting flange.
Measure the bore with a set of calipers, standard is 4.000. A bored out engine will read, 4.020, 4.030 up to 4.060. A 4.060 bore is at the max.
The part numbers for the heads are located on the under side of the head (C5DE-B possibly). 
You "may" find an assembly date on the block on the oil pan mounting surface, I think the RH front. Let Jeff confirm this.
Jim

[ChrisV289]

The date for your fuel pump should be in the area located by the arrow.  At least that is where mine is at.  Might want to look for the other numbers around that area as well to see if it is a single or double spring.  My number is 3911S.  Date formate will be similar to this: 30J4A