Engine block identification

[steve-michigan]

My 89 GT came with a rebuilt engine. Unfortunately it's not a roller block. How do I tell what year, etc. the block is?

I've seen other postings referencing the Ford Part Number decoding, however, there isn't a part number in the lifter valley on this block. The only markings in the lifter valley are the Ford symbol, "80" to the left of the Ford symbol, and "19" to the right of the Ford symbol. There are also "XXX" markings near the edges of the valley, which from previous postings appear to be meaningless.

My lifters are flat tappet hydrallic and the dipstick goes down into the flange for the oil pan on the driver's side. There are no tapped bosses down the center of the valley, only holes that you can see the cam through.

I saw in another post that there may also be a part number behind the starter, but I'd rather not remove my headers and starter to check.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jerryD]

here is a pic of where the casting numbers are. you don't have to remove anything to see it, just have to be under the car.

 

[95GTAODE]

Sounds like a '79 or older block. That particular oil pan was used only for '78-'79 Fox body 5.0's and '80-'81 255's in the fox line. The dipstick was moved to the bolck in '82, along with a new oil pan without the 'stick provision.

 

[Hoffman]

If my memory serves me correctly, there should be a number stamped on the lower side of the block near the rear freeze plug on the 79 and older blocks. If thats the case the number will start with a C or D with a number directly following it, D for a 70's block C for a 60's blocks. Like mine had a C9 which is a 69 block. Since you don't have a dipstick provision in the block, Its definatley a pre 79 block.

 

[steve-michigan]

Thanks for your help. I had to remove the starter to see the area of the block you indicated, but I was able to read the casting numbers. The numbers were
E0AE
D3C
and then sideways to the main number was 4B11, which I think may be the date code.

I'm interpreting these numbers to mean that the block was originally designed for a 1980 Ford, possibly a Galaxie, and that the actual manufacturing date was February 11, 1984.

I may not have described the dipstick location very well. It actually enters on the block side of the oil pan flange (just above the oil pan). Would that make sense for a 1984 block?

My understanding is also that this block should have a 1-piece rear seal.

Does this all seem correct?

 

[95GTAODE]

Yep, that makes sense. All '82 and later have the 1 piece seal and the dipstick hole through the block.

 

[steve-michigan]

Great. Thanks again for your help!