Author Topic: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***  (Read 5211 times)

Offline austr6

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A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« on: October 27, 2015, 11:03:58 PM »
hello all,
I have a stamping where the assembly code would be on my 66 A code GT fastback, can anyone offer the correct decoded information,
thank you.
May 20 1966
GT Fastback
A code,
Auto ,Air conditioning, Power Steering
Standard Interior
6R09A202931

Offline CharlesTurner

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2015, 01:19:25 AM »
What's the casting date?
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Offline austr6

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2015, 02:16:18 AM »
haven't taken starter motor out yet, will do soon
May 20 1966
GT Fastback
A code,
Auto ,Air conditioning, Power Steering
Standard Interior
6R09A202931

Offline midlife

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2015, 07:33:21 AM »
hello all,
I have a stamping where the assembly code would be on my 66 A code GT fastback, can anyone offer the correct decoded information,
thank you.
The decoding works as day-month-year-inspector. The first letter "0" appears to be incomplete; month is November, year 1965, inspector K. 
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Offline CharlesTurner

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2015, 10:54:45 AM »
The decoding works as day-month-year-inspector. The first letter "0" appears to be incomplete; month is November, year 1965, inspector K.

That's not what we usually see on these type of markings.  Year is normally first, month, day and then an internal code. 

I would take 0L5K to be November 5, 1970, K shift/worker. 

Is the engine actually a 289?  It may be a 302?  Easy to tell by taking a pic of the engine at the back of the intake.  If it's flat, it's a 302, dished, 289.  If it's flat, there will probably be a partial VIN there from the car the motor was originally installed.  It will be something like 0F123456, 0=year, F=assembly plant, 123456 is the unit number, which should match the VIN.
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Offline 67gtasanjose

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2015, 01:00:28 PM »
... If it's flat, it's a 302, dished, 289.  ...

Does this hold true on the LATE 67 289's that were machined using the C8AE 302 blocks?
Richard Urch

1967 (11/2/66, S.J.) GTA Luxury Coupe, 289-4V w/Thermactor Emissions, C-4, Int./Ext. Decor +many options

2005 (04/05) GT Premium Convertible, Windveil Blue, Parchment Top w/Med. Parchment interior,  Roush Body Appointments

Offline midlife

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2015, 02:01:34 PM »
That's not what we usually see on these type of markings.  Year is normally first, month, day and then an internal code. 

I would take 0L5K to be November 5, 1970, K shift/worker. 

Is the engine actually a 289?  It may be a 302?  Easy to tell by taking a pic of the engine at the back of the intake.  If it's flat, it's a 302, dished, 289.  If it's flat, there will probably be a partial VIN there from the car the motor was originally installed.  It will be something like 0F123456, 0=year, F=assembly plant, 123456 is the unit number, which should match the VIN.

Oops...my bad.  My reference material was from an old forum that the day-month-year, but I had noted on the side that it is year-month-day.  Humble apologies.
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Offline CharlesTurner

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2015, 02:27:43 PM »
Does this hold true on the LATE 67 289's that were machined using the C8AE 302 blocks?

I would think it's still a 302 block with 289 heads.
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Offline austr6

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2015, 03:50:56 PM »
heads are the same, 0L  under rocker cover and 302  cast into them, i will take starter out soon to get full picture of what I have.
May 20 1966
GT Fastback
A code,
Auto ,Air conditioning, Power Steering
Standard Interior
6R09A202931

Offline 67gtasanjose

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2015, 06:18:12 PM »
Going by the new WANTED ad, I assume your engine has been I.D'd? What dates(s) did you find out of curiosity? So it is (or is it) a 1970 302?
Richard Urch

1967 (11/2/66, S.J.) GTA Luxury Coupe, 289-4V w/Thermactor Emissions, C-4, Int./Ext. Decor +many options

2005 (04/05) GT Premium Convertible, Windveil Blue, Parchment Top w/Med. Parchment interior,  Roush Body Appointments

Offline 67gtasanjose

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2015, 06:56:59 PM »


For those seeking DATA, I just looked at a late 67 289  that is known to be a 302 block machined as a 289. I looked to see what is behind the intake and how it matches up to Charles' description (quoted below)

... Easy to tell by taking a pic of the engine at the back of the intake.  If it's flat, it's a 302, dished, 289.  If it's flat, there will probably be a partial VIN there from the car the motor was originally installed.  It will be something like 0F123456, 0=year, F=assembly plant, 123456 is the unit number, which should match the VIN.

First, final assembly code is 7G6Z and I decode this as July 6, 1967 assembly date

The "flat are" behind the intake runs from the left upper bell housing bolt, and goes about half way, or to the center of the block and then it is dished out going to the right upper bellhousing bolt. NO VIN stamping though.

I did not yet look for a casting date of the block, if anybody needs this, I can look for it.
Richard Urch

1967 (11/2/66, S.J.) GTA Luxury Coupe, 289-4V w/Thermactor Emissions, C-4, Int./Ext. Decor +many options

2005 (04/05) GT Premium Convertible, Windveil Blue, Parchment Top w/Med. Parchment interior,  Roush Body Appointments

Offline CharlesTurner

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2015, 07:50:44 PM »
Believe the VIN stamping in that area started in '68 production.  Pretty sure we have discussed here before.
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Offline J_Speegle

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #12 on: October 29, 2015, 02:31:23 AM »
Believe the VIN stamping in that area started in '68 production.  Pretty sure we have discussed here before.

+1
Jeff Speegle

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Offline austr6

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #13 on: October 29, 2015, 03:38:00 PM »
Going by the new WANTED ad, I assume your engine has been I.D'd? What dates(s) did you find out of curiosity? So it is (or is it) a 1970 302?

Still have not had time to remove starter motor, will do over weekend
May 20 1966
GT Fastback
A code,
Auto ,Air conditioning, Power Steering
Standard Interior
6R09A202931

Offline austr6

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Re: A code 289 engine assembly code *** please help decipher***
« Reply #14 on: October 29, 2015, 03:45:16 PM »
Ok, so I am now looking for a correct block and heads for my vehicle (have placed ad in WANTED section). I need to know what the correct block casting will be and the correct assembly stamping will be for a May 20 built 66 A code GT.
I am really looking for the most widely accepted date that would suit this vehicle, Im not 100% sure, but I believe there is a small difference between the assembly date of engine (stamped at top L/H side of block) and build date of vehicle on door tag.
accuracy is what im after as i plan on restoring this vehicle to concourse standards.

Thank you.
May 20 1966
GT Fastback
A code,
Auto ,Air conditioning, Power Steering
Standard Interior
6R09A202931