Author Topic: FE casting numbers  (Read 1554 times)

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Tambo

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FE casting numbers
« on: March 28, 2022, 07:16:32 AM »
I have an FE block with casting numbers C6ME-A. Mustang Tech states it could be a Mercury 410, or a 428.
Another number on the opposite side of the block is 6E5. I can't find any information on this number.
I'd appreciate any advice on either of these numbers thanks.

1968galaxie

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Re: FE casting numbers
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2022, 10:31:32 AM »
Have you measured the bore size of the block?

From an old post by Dave Shoe:


C6ME-A was cast onto FE blocks for many years. If it's a C6ME-A block with a casting date code which corresponds to the 1966 model year, then it's logically from a 1966 vehicle.

Since any 1966 (or later) FE engine would have gotten the C6ME or C6ME-A marking, it could be anything from a 330FT, 352, 360/390/410, 361FT/391FT, 428, 427, or other. The sand cores stuffed into the mold determine what it ended up as.

Since your C6ME-A block has been identified by other means as a genuine 428 block (probably because it has a marking on the rear, such as an "A", "C", "X", then you're off to a good start. I can suggest other tests which would identify what it was originally cast to be.

Since 428PI blocks from 1966 were the only solid lifter 428 blocks found in cars, this would be a good verification that it's a PI. By 1967, the PI got the 390GT hydraulic camshaft and valvetrain, and this is seems like what would have gone into Shelby GT-500s.

As long as you are aware that basically all FEs in 1966 got the C6ME or C6ME-A marking, then you are on the right track. By 1967, C6ME and C6ME-A were still very common, but the C7 series numbers were also found. Same with C8. By 1969, Ford started to cast blocks without any CxME numbers, probably because the irrelevant numbers caused more confusion than anything else.

JMO,

Shoe.

thatdarncat

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Re: FE casting numbers
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2022, 10:40:09 AM »
The C6ME-A block casting number is basically meaningless, as far as determining the size of the engine assembly. The C6ME-A can be any FE/FT block Ford was building in the ‘66-‘67 model years, except a 427. A 428 or 410 are a couple possibilities, but not the only possibilities. Unfortunately that’s something that most online websites or books do not explain about FE block casting numbers. It’s understandable that people hope that block casting number will tell them what FE engine they have found, but in most cases Ford just wasn’t using the block casting number for that purpose. Actual 428 blocks were cast with specific unique cylinder cores, and Ford used other methods of identifying them. 427 blocks also had specific cylinder cores, and at that time period had different casting numbers. In either model year the ‘66-‘67 Mercury 410 FE engine used the same block as the same model year standard 390. Unfortunately for most FE’s you need to start with checking the bore and stroke, and then sometimes check some other characteristics too.

As far as the “6E5” you will have to describe more where you are finding that. If it’s under the oil filter adapter pad it sounds like the casting date code,
Kevin Rolph

1967 Cougar Drag Car ( under constuction )
1966 7 litre Galaxie
1966 Country Squire 390
1966 Cyclone GT 390
1968 Torino GT 390
1972 Gran Torino wagon
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1968galaxie

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Re: FE casting numbers
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2022, 03:59:21 PM »
Sounds like a date casting code : 6E5   1966 May 5

Tambo

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Re: FE casting numbers
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2022, 04:48:34 PM »
Thanks for your replies guys.
I'll check the stroke.