Topic: Engine Assembly Date Location

[J_Speegle]

Its been suggested that we collect and display engine assembly date locations by year and engine type. Figured e could collect and discuss here then do a more formal article for long term needs. We show some in the date decoding article but don't focus on them specifically

Thanks

A few that have already been shared in other threads so far


- 1964-1966 dated 289 examples (applies to all C, A and K codes)




- To start below is an example from a 1966 T code 6 cylinder




- From a 1967 289.




- 1967 S code 390. Location and pattern the same on all FE/big blocks from 67-70




- 1969-70 Boss 302 shares the same pattern and location as the earlier small block 289 and the 1969-70 302's


- 1969 Boss 429 assembly date and location




- 1969 (for a 1970 vehicle) FE/428CJ assembly date example.




Need to look for some additional 6 cylinder and some 351W and 351C examples.
Hope this helps others

[ChrisV289]

On the 66 block that I have the stamping on the mating area of the oil pan also has the same date as well but different inspector's initial

[J_Speegle]

On the 66 block that I have the stamping on the mating area of the oil pan also has the same date as well but different inspector's initial

As we would expect (engine block machine date) so different date and purpose  than the focus this time in this thread. Believer you will find that date does not include an inspector initial but like the assembly date the initial of the person who did the task for accountability

[Mike_B_SVT]

1970 CJ assembly date ~ same location as you show for '69 Boss 429 (next to thermostat neck / behind smog pump on the front passenger side of the block)
*This is from my Dearborn car with Oct 6th, 1969 build date.

[Mike_B_SVT]

1970 351C ~ front passenger side of the timing chain cover.

Top is a pic from a late built car that I owned briefly.  Dearborn, build date of June 12th, 1970.

Bottom pic is a reference pic I pulled from the internet when I was trying to learn where to look!

[J_Speegle]

1970 CJ assembly date ~ same location as you show for '69 Boss 429 (next to thermostat neck / behind smog pump on the front passenger side of the block)
*This is from my Dearborn car with Oct 6th, 1969 build date.

Thanks for those two. Guess we need to look deeper into the 70 CJ location since we have two examples that are very different. Need to check where my example came from and go from there

[Utsteve90]

Jeff - have you ever seen this (see photo)?  The first two characters seem to be reversed.  6/1/70 build date BOSS 302 Dearborn.  Steve H.

[J_Speegle]

Welcome to the site. Hope the support and information helps you in your restoration projects

Jeff - have you ever seen this (see photo)?  The first two characters seem to be reversed.  6/1/70 build date BOSS 302 Dearborn.  Steve H.

Sine these are done by humans surely they would screw up from time to time. Not unexpected on a percentage of the large number of engines built and assembled

[RoyceP]

1968 428CJ - the "E" is not stamped straight and looks like an F because of it.

[Utsteve90]

Welcome to the site. Hope the support and information helps you in your restoration projects

Sine these are done by humans surely they would screw up from time to time. Not unexpected on a percentage of the large number of engines built and assembled

Thanks for the welcome and confirmation that it's likely a mis-stamp.  This site (especially your photos and articles) has already provided immensely valuable information and I'm most appreciative for your, and all the other contributor's efforts. 

As an aside, there's another engine assembly date stamp on the LH front cylinder head (this time stamped correctly) a day later than the first attempt.  Maybe to fix the initial mistake.  Thanks again Jeff.  Steve H. 

[sflaten]

I see you are looking for 351W dates. I have a 1969 351W 4V . Build date was March 4, 1969. If I recently rebuilt engine, and found VIN on top rear of block, so it appears to be original block. Happy to look for these codes to help, but need some direction where they are found. From the photos it looks to be near front of engine on block?

[jwc66k]

Happy to look for these codes to help, but need some direction where they are found. From the photos it looks to be near front of engine on block?

Excellent point.
See picture for the "visible" assembly date location for 64-68 289 blocks. There is another assembly date on the oil pan mounting surface, but I don't recommend pulling the oil pan on a running engine.
Jim

[sflaten]

Thanks, will look in the garage tomorrow. We are also currently rebuilding a 1989 SSP car with original engine. Will see if the 302 has any markings as well.

[J_Speegle]

Excellent point.
See picture for the "visible" assembly date location for 64-68 289 blocks. There is another assembly date on the oil pan mounting surface, but I don't recommend pulling the oil pan on a running engine.
Jim

Sure that is another assembly date not the machining date? From another thread post. Not meant to take us off thread

[jwc66k]

Sure that is another assembly date not the machining date? From another thread post. Not meant to take us off thread

No. It's the location of the engine assembly date as discussed many times on this forum. That is shown by the yellow arrow. The red arrow is a bonus for 289 HP engine cars, the head casting location, which should be 19, 20 or 21 (mine are 21) that should be part of 65 thru 67 Shelby GT-350s engine identification.
Jim