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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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When was my engine made?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Redfire 05
  • Start date Start date Aug 4, 2005

Redfire 05

New Member
Apr 6, 2005
236
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0
Lubbock, TX
Aug 4, 2005
#1
  • Aug 4, 2005
  • #1
Is there a serial number on the engine, and heads that has the build dates? I have an 86' GT, but I suspect a later model engine may be in my car. I already know the tranny is a 90-93 model AOD. I suspect maybe the previous owners found a wrecked donar car and swaped the drivetrain out. I am hoping they did, because I want to get a set of aftermarket heads, but an 86' engine with flat top pistons complicates matters. How do I tell? I noticed that the oil pan has two drain plugs, I thought only later model 5.0s had this.
 

vristang

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
4,933
101
124
Seattle
Aug 4, 2005
#2
  • Aug 4, 2005
  • #2
You can find the year of the engine block by looking at the casting numbers, but that does not mean that it has stock pistons in it. I would suggest pulling the heads to check for sure. It is a pain to do all that work just for some info, but that is the only way I can think of to know for sure. The block casting numbers are on the underside in the rear. Cant remember which side, but I am fairly sure they are hidden by the headers? maybe someone else should try to answer that.
 

txstang84

15 Year Member
May 21, 2005
1,639
42
69
Tuscola, tx
Aug 4, 2005
#3
  • Aug 4, 2005
  • #3
i believe the date code castings are under the starter...right side, rear (i think)
 

vristang

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
4,933
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Seattle
Aug 4, 2005
#4
  • Aug 4, 2005
  • #4
txstang84 said:
i believe the date code castings are under the starter...right side, rear (i think)
Click to expand...


Just needed to think about it I guess.
 
J

jerryD

Founding Member
Mar 16, 2000
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37
Gladstone, MO
Aug 4, 2005
#5
  • Aug 4, 2005
  • #5
 

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Redfire 05

New Member
Apr 6, 2005
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Lubbock, TX
Aug 5, 2005
#6
  • Aug 5, 2005
  • #6
Thanks, I'll take a look. So how do I decode the casting number? Is there a website that explains it?
 

vristang

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
4,933
101
124
Seattle
Aug 5, 2005
#7
  • Aug 5, 2005
  • #7
Redfire 05 said:
Thanks, I'll take a look. So how do I decode the casting number? Is there a website that explains it?
Click to expand...

First 2 digits are the important part.
The first digit is a letter and indicates the decade of the casting.

C 60s
D 70s
E 80s
F 90s

The second digit is the year in the decade.

C9...=1969
E7...=1987

This is true for most all Ford parts of our era.
 

Greenracing

Founding Member
Nov 13, 2000
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Puerto Rico
Aug 5, 2005
#8
  • Aug 5, 2005
  • #8
here you go: http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-ford-vin-codes
 
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