Topic: 1965 Intake need help

[brlfq3]

  Just bought 65 A code coupe.  Build date of May 27 65, block is dated 7 may 65,  heads 7 April 65.   The problem is the intake has been swapped out.  I found an intake with C6OE-9425-B, Manufacture Date Code 5E8.   Is this going to be acceptable for a correct original intake?   

[CharlesTurner]

I guess you don't have the original engine tag?  Late May/early June is right around the change to the cast-iron waterpump.  At the same time or about, the intake went to the C6 variety on A codes.

You probably will be ok with the 5E8 intake, but just know it's a gray area in production.  With the date on your door plate being a scheduled build date, there is no way to know exactly when the car was built.

[brlfq3]

  What would indicate the actual build date for the car?   Also what I'm questioning is would it be correct for the intake to have a date 1 day after the block is dated.

[jwc66k]

You have several "build dates" to contend with. Working backwards:
- The car assembly line scheduled build date. This can be as much as a couple of weeks from the actual build date and cannot be verified on 64 thru 66 Mustangs except with a rare build sheet. That scheduled date is on the door data tag, or can be approximated by the VIN comparing the VIN to other car's scheduled dates.
- The engine assembly date. This date is stamped on a "boss" on the engine block near the distributor. See picture. It is in the format of year (number), month (letter), day of month (number) and an inspector or assembly worker code - 5H26Z. It will be a week, or longer, before the scheduled build date.
- Component build dates. Every item that goes on an engine should have a date code prior to the engine assembly date. A casting date (block, manifolds, etc), stamped date (distributor) or tag (carburetor) are examples. A week to 4 or 5 weeks would be correct.
I suppose that in unusual circumstances a carburetor or distributor that failed at final test could be replaced with a later dated item but that would be difficult to prove.
Jim

[CharlesTurner]

+1 to Jim's post... wouldn't have any problem with the intake and block dates being correct.

[Brian Conway]

     My car was picked up at the dealership 5/29/65.  The intake is the same as yours C6OE-9425-B and dated 5 E 6.  Brian

[CharlesTurner]

The earliest C6 289 4V intake I have seen had a 5E1 casting date...

[brlfq3]

  Can't see the boss pad on the block (factory A/C car) BUT I noticed the nice man who rebuilt the engine 16 years ago relocated the tag from the intake to the front of the right head   Top line of the tag reads  289     65    7     bottom of the tag reads  5-E    553-J
I took a photo but have no idea on how to attach it to this post!
  This is a SJ car 226330  maybe we can narrow the date with that.  Thanks Rob

[CharlesTurner]

Well, the only date on the tag is a month code, which 5-E is May '65.  The important thing you know from this tag (assuming it's the original to your car) is that the engine is L7, which means it had the aluminum water pump setup.  Would suggest getting a copy of the Bob Mannel book to help with component identification, www.fordsmallblock.com

[65GTCoupe]

My 65 San Jose A-code coupe has a scheduled build date of May 17th. The  intake is a C6OE-9425-B with a build date of 5E5.

[brlfq3]

It would be interesting to know what your date is on the engine block. (under the starter)

[65GTCoupe]

I used to have them memorized, and if it wasn't 15 degrees outside, I would go look. I think it is May 10th.