Help me decipher this 427 engine tag.

[cleandan]

I am looking at an ERA Cobra Roadster with a 427 tunnel port engine.
Under a bolt, holding down the rear intake breather tube, is an engine tag reading.

On the top line:
427    67    8   oval FoMoCo logo.

On the second line:
7   8    366   A

The 7  8 portion is hard to read due to tag corrosion, but it sure looks like 7   8, otherwise the tag is easy to read.

What can you tell me about this engine tag info?
I think it may have been an industrial engine, but I don't have confirming info to verify against.

Thanks for any and all help.

[thatdarncat]

I’ve been tracking Ford engine tag info, I’ve seen a lot of people report known 427 marine engines in that time frame with tag code “366”. I can’t tell you with certainty at this time that is a specific marine code without someone having a Ford Marine & Industrial Parts book. The 427 codes “365”, “366” & “367” have all been spotted, and don’t appear in the Ford or Mercury car Master Parts Catalog (Parts books), so each of those appear to possibly be non car applications, but again without a Ford Marine & Industrial Parts book can’t confirm yet. 

I think the other code you have is “7 B”, not “7 8”. That position is the date code, and “7 B” would be 1967 February, which would make sense with the “67” model year on the tag.

Those are my thoughts.

[cleandan]

Thanks Kevin, this is helpful.

[dozz302]

August 1967 tag, which would make it correct for a 1968 production year vehicle, just don't see the 366 here in this list provided. 1968 GTE 427 Cougar is a possibility, or as previously stated Irrigation or Marine application as stated above?
This long list also does not have a tag listed for a 1968 427 GTE Cougar. This list stops at #364 for the 1967 model year 427 engine which makes it a strong possibility the 366 tag could be for a 1968 GTE Cougar.

https://www.fordification.com/tech/engineIDtags.htm

[thatdarncat]

August 1967 tag, which would make it correct for a 1968 production year vehicle, just don't see the 366 here in this list provided. 1968 GTE 427 Cougar is a possibility, or as previously stated Irrigation or Marine application as stated above?
This long list also does not have a tag listed for a 1968 427 GTE Cougar. This list stops at #364 for the 1967 model year 427 engine which makes it a strong possibility the 366 tag could be for a 1968 GTE Cougar.

https://www.fordification.com/tech/engineIDtags.htm

The Month code on the engine tags at that time period is a letter, not a number, which is why my guess is it’s a “B” for February, and not an “8” for August. But also if it was for a 1968 model year engine it would have a “68” in that top line for the model year, and not a “67”.

Just a FYI, that Fordifcation list isn’t complete, which they admit in the fine print. Along with missing lots of Marine & Industrial listings, I’ve found it’s missing many Mercury specific engines. For example there’s a 427 4 bbl engine code “413” listed in the Mercury parts book that isn’t on that list too. I’m guessing whoever made that Fordification list didn’t have a Lincoln - Mercury MPC.

[dozz302]

The year the engine was made or built would be on the tag. 1967. The model year vehicle it would be going in would be a 1968 being it was made August of 1967. 1968 model year vehicles were being produced or made in August- September of 1967. Only Ford vehicle being made then with a 427 was the GTE Cougar.
Does this block have the cut out on the side that all marine blocks have?
 If not then you can eliminate Marine application.
Is it a Side Oiler or Top Oiler?
Date code on block?
Hydraulic or solid lifter block?

[thatdarncat]

The year the engine was made or built would be on the tag. 1967. The model year vehicle it would be going in would be a 1968 being it was made August of 1967. 1968 model year vehicles were being produced or made in August- September of 1967. Only Ford vehicle being made then with a 427 was the GTE Cougar.
Does this block have the cut out on the side that all marine blocks have?
 If not then you can eliminate Marine application.
Is it a Side Oiler or Top Oiler?
Date code on block?
Hydraulic or solid lifter block?

The TOP line of his tag does have the MODEL year, he reports it says “67”, so it’s not a tag from a 1968 model year engine, and can’t be a tag from a 1968 GTE Cougar. And Ford uses a LETTER for the calendar month on the second line of the tags, not a number, that’s why it’s not likely the number “8”.