Topic: Approximate Changeover Date for Exhaust Manifold Lock Tabs?

[drummingrocks]

I'm working on my '66 fastback, built December 8th, 1965, at Dearborn.  The car was complete when I got it, but the original engine was out of the car.  I'm trying to figure out if my car would've had lock tabs on the exhaust manifolds or not.  NPD lists the changeover/phase-out date as sometime in December 1965, which doesn't help me.  I've got the engine back out of the car and am correcting a few details, and this is something that would be a lot easier corrected now rather than later.

Thanks for any help!!

[mgmradio]

I would go with the lock tabs. Figure the engine was built before the car so probably Nov or early Dec.

[jwc66k]

Check the engine assembly date before doing anything rash. The date is on a tab sticking out near the distributor (see pic), formatted - 5M2Z (year, month, day, inspector ID = 1965, Dec, 2nd, inspector Zed).
Jim

[J_Speegle]

Check the engine assembly date before doing anything rash. The date is on a tab sticking out near the distributor (see pic), formatted - 5M2Z (year, month, day, inspector ID = 1965, Dec, 2nd, inspector Zed).
Jim

I think "Zed" was the assembler not the inspector according to Ford But yes that date would be the best indicator (landmark) for comparing engine changes

[drummingrocks]

I'm not familiar with the date stamp you are referring to. I do, however have the original metal tag that bolted to the intake manifold. Would that help, or is that what you are referring to?

[jwc66k]

That tag would help, but it could have been replaced. The block's stamping is a more permanent mark. The picture is of my Oct 65 San Jose K Fastback showing the location with relation to the fuel pump and a few other nearby items taken about 10 minutes ago. The boss (aka tab) is also used for retaining one of the water pump bolts. You can see the 5H23Z (ok, "agent Zed" then) stamped on mine.
Jim

[bryancobb]

My Change Level 11 C-Code 289, came from Windsor with a date on the original tag of "B" = February.
This engine had the bend-the-tab type saddle straps under the manifold bolts.  I suppose they could have been changed before I bought the car in 1979, but I doubt the ramp-lock bolts were ever used on this engine.

In my mind, I am 99% sure that it was assembled in Windsor using the saddle straps.

[drummingrocks]

Wow,  I never knew about the boss on the actual engine itself.  Mine reads "5G29M."

The aluminum tag on the intake reads:
289   C   66    9
5-G          250-S