Engine Tag decode: engine code no.

[runawayabc123]

On those little tags on intake manifold, the last block is the engine code no. What does this block mean?

My book has 343-A and says it "Determines if parts are peculiar to a specific engine."

My tag (from a 289 comet) has 577-J
Another one online was 551-8 (or maybe 551-B, also a 289)
And a last one is 236-B (289 again I believe)

What do these codes mean? Are these forever lost Ford numbers now?

Thanks.

(Searching the internet only yielded others asking the same question.)

 

[D.Hearne]

These codes are listed inn George Reid's book "Ford HP Engine Interchange" The only info he decodes them into are displacement, carb, & something else (don't recall offhand and I can't find my copy)

 

[runawayabc123]

Thanks, I found an online "preview" here Ford Parts Interchange Manual - Google Book Search

It included the 289 stuff, and all it really says is 4brl and calls it a D code instead of an A code.

Is the book worth buying? If so, I may pickup a copy.

 

[D.Hearne]

It's good as a reference but you have to know that all the info in it isn't 100% correct. It's got at least a half dozen mistakes in it. A couple are 351C 4bbl heads he says are Boss 302 heads, and a 429 head pic that's said to be that as well. Lots of casting numbers in it.

 

[ivygreen65]

According to Bob Mannel's book, your engine codes decode as follows:

577 = 64/65 Comet 289 4V w/ automatic transmission

551B = 64 Mustang 289 4V w/ automatic transmission

236 = 66-68 Fairlane/Comet/Mustang/Cougar/Falcon 289 2V w/automatic transmission

If you need a great resource for a small block Ford, buy Bob Mannel's "Mustang & Ford Small Block V8 1962-1969. It's a bible for the Ford small block restorer.