How to Identify a Ford Motor
Since the mid-1950s, the Ford Motor Company has placed identification number tags on some of its engines, and since January 1964, all Ford motors have included these tags. These tags provide crucial details, including the month and year of production, the model year, the change level number, and the cubic inch displacement (CID).
If you need to know how to identify a Ford motor, locating the identification tag is the most reliable method. However, if the tag is missing or unreadable, you can still determine key information using the engine’s casting number.
Understanding how to identify a Ford motor helps in verifying engine authenticity, sourcing replacement parts, and determining compatibility with vehicles. Whether restoring a classic Ford or troubleshooting an engine, these identification markers are essential.
If you’re unsure how to identify a Ford motor, check both the identification tag and the casting number to gather accurate details about the engine’s specifications.
Method1 Using the Identification Tag
How to Identify a Ford Motor by Valve Cover Bolts
Start by examining the number of valve cover bolts on the engine. These bolts secure the plate (often labeled “Ford”) on top of the valves. The number of bolts corresponds to the engine type, helping you narrow down the identification.
- 2 bolts: 239/256/272/292/312
- 5 bolts: 332/352/360/361/390/391/406/410/427/428
- 6 bolts: 221/260/289/302/351W
- 7 bolts: 429/460
- 8 bolts: 351C/351M/400
Step 2: Locate the ID Tag
For six-cylinder engines and some eight-cylinder engines, the ID tag can be found underneath the coil attaching bolts. The tag consists of a series of numbers and letters that help identify the year, make, and model of your engine. It is usually located near the front of the engine, either on the left or right side, and measures about three inches long and half an inch wide. You will find this tag on all six-cylinder engines built after 1964 and on some V8 engines.
Step 3: Check the Dipstick Attaching Bolts for Eight-Cylinder, 352 Model Engines
If you have an eight-cylinder, 352 Model engine, check under the dipstick attaching bolts. The dipstick is the plastic-handled piece used for checking the oil levels.
Step 4: Look Under Other Components
If you still cannot locate the ID tag, check under the following components:
- Heat indicator bulb: Common for 360, 330, and 391 engines.
- Carburetor attaching stud: Found on 401, 477, and 534 engines.
- Ignition coil bolt: Another possible location.
Step 5: Understand How to Read the ID Tag
Once you’ve located the identification tag, you need to know how to decode it. Here’s a breakdown of how to interpret the numbers and letters on the tag:
- Cubic Inch Displacement (CID): The first three numbers tell you the engine size (e.g., 351, 460).
- Manufacturing Plant: A single letter indicates the plant where the engine was built (e.g., “C” for Cleveland, “E” for Ensite, “W” for Windsor, Canada).
- Year: The next two numbers indicate the year of production (e.g., 70 for 1970).
- Month Built: This is a hyphenated number and letter indicating the month of manufacture. The months are in alphabetical order (e.g., A = January, M = December). For example, “0-A” would be January 1970.
- Engine Code Number: This final 3-digit number uniquely identifies your engine, and you can look it up online for detailed specifications.
Method2 Decoding Casting Tags
Step 1: Look for the Nine-Digit Casting Tag
To learn more about your engine’s make and model, search for the nine-digit casting tag etched into your motor. This casting tag is essential for identifying replacement parts and gaining insight into your engine’s specifications. If the tag is difficult to read due to dirt or grime, clean the engine using a rag and some degreaser. The casting number is typically located on the side of the engine, though it might be challenging to spot on older models once installed in a car. Use a light to scan both sides of the engine to locate it. Example: C5AE-9425-B.
Step 2: Read the First Two Digits for the Year
The first two digits in the identification tag correspond to the engine’s production year. These digits consist of a letter and a number. The letter represents the decade in which the engine was made:
- B: 1950s
- C: 1960s
- D: 1970s
- E: 1980s, and so on.
The number following the letter indicates the actual year. For instance, C9 means the engine was made in 1969, while E4 stands for 1984.
Step 3: Identify the Engine Design with the Third Digit
The third digit in the casting number helps determine the engine’s basic design. This will be a letter, and it signifies the type of vehicle or engine. Here’s how to interpret the code:
- A: Generic and full-size engine
- D: Falcon
- E: Truck
- F: Foreign Trans-Am racing
- G: 1961-1967 Comet / 1968-1976 Montenegro
- H: 1966-1982 Heavy truck
- J: Industrial Ford
- L: Lincoln
- M: Mercury
- O: 1967-1976 Ford Torino / Ford Fairlane
- S: Thunderbird
- T: Truck
- W: Cougar
- Y: Meteor
- Z: Mustang
- 6: Pantera
Step 4: Confirm the Fourth Digit is an “E”
The fourth digit in the casting number should always be an “E”. This letter stands for Engine, and it is a constant in the identification process for Ford motors.
Step 5: Examine the Last Four Digits in the Casting Number
The final four digits of the casting number, ranging from 6000 to 6898, correspond to the part number for the generic engine assembly. These four digits are critical for identifying specific parts and components within the motor.
Step 6: Identify the Version of Your Engine
The last digit of the casting number, usually a letter, indicates the version of the part. If your engine is based on the original design, this digit will be A. For later versions, the letter will change: for example, C represents the third version. The letter can be up to three characters long, so AB would denote the 28th version, following the A-Z cycle.