427 Block Identification

[dandascott]

All,
I have searched the threads and not been able to find this one covered yet.

My block, which supposedly is a 427 SO, has the stamp 427-66. It also has a "X" in the lifter valley. No other date codes are evident. I think I saw some where that perhaps the "X" indicated high nickel, but I can't confirm this. It has the freeze plugs, oil passages, 4 bolt main etc of the side oiler. How can I tell more about the block (was it a service block etc) ?

Any clues you can offer would be appreicated.

Thanks,

[blykins]

The X really doesn't mean much.

If you can post a picture of the front of the block where the timing cover bolts, I can tell you if it's a side oiler or not.

What's the cast number and date code on the block?

[dandascott]

I can't find a cast number or date code. Just 427-66. I tried to post picture (still working on that). My picture size is less than 39.1KB and is a .jpg. I went to the FAQ for the board and read the instructions but still not working. Probably user error.

[blykins]

You can email it to me and I can look at it and post it here for you.

brent@b2motorsportsllc.com

[blykins]

Here's the easiest way to tell if it's a side oiler...



The arrow is pointing at a pipe plug....

Of course it will have the hump on the side of the block, along with the pipe fittings on the side.

[dandascott]

Brent,
I have the plug and the three plugs and hump along the left side so I am sure it is a side oiler. I was trying to figure out what the apparent lack of date code meant and what the "X" indicated. Perhaps this was a service block. I was wondering if someone could confirm that the service blocks were done this way.

Thanks,

[dcdoug]

Is it ribbed on the side? See my gallery for a pic of what I mean.

[blykins]

Some service blocks were ribbed.

Also, is it drilled for a hydraulic cam?

As stated earlier, the X really doesn't mean anything and it there is no real substantiation behind the "high nickel" theories.

It's weird that it doesn't have any other cast numbers on it....but not really....it seems like Ford didn't really have their standardization down pat in the FE days...you see all kinds of blocks with all kinds of cast marks/numbers.

[dandascott]

I went out and looked - there is a 12 DIF above the oil filter adapter. There are numbers on the right side of the front. They are in two rows and it looks like 30 and then 352. Very hard to read, could be something else. The 66-427 is on the back side of the block and the "X" is in the lifter vallet.
Also, no ribs.

[Barry_R]

X means nothing - it's a foundry identification scratch for the valley core
The 66-427 is similar and is found on 390s too sometimes
There is no such thing as "high nickel"

The 12 DIF means Dearborn Iron Foundry - essentially pre-'74ish
If the core plugs are thread in brass it's a marine block - but most of those won't have the side oiling passages drilled.

All we know so far is that it's a 427 - cool - and it was made after 1966 when the bellhousing core mold came from, and before the move to the new foundry line. If it's drilled for hyraulic lifter oiling it's probably 1968 or later...

[Mr Jody]

The date code should be on a small pad directly under and near the edge where the oil filter adaptor bolts to the block. It is a small number (~0.25") cast into the block and will be of the format ‘7D25’ where the 7 indicates the year (1967 here), the D indicates the month (April here – Note that the letter I is not used, so it will be A through M), and 25 indicates the day of the month. It also looks almost like the head of a common screw before and after it. These were probably holding the plate into the mold. My 390 block is '1J28' (with two dots under the 1, to differentiate that it is 1971 and not 1961), hence September 28, 1971. Use a mirror and a flashlight and you should be able to see it if you can’t get under it, or maybe hold a camera under it and snap a picture.

[elmariachi]

Here are some clear pics, if they are of any help:

Casting date, 6B11 (2/11/66):



Casting ID, C5AE-H:



And in some cases the block may have the date it was installed in the car on the production line (10/19/66):



Which in this case matched the Marti Report using the VIN# stamped on the block on the upper portion of the stamping boss below. I photoshop'd out all of the VIN characters except for the "R" for R-code. This engine was from one of only 24 R-code Galaxies produced in 1967. Most valuable antique I've ever owned.

[dcdoug]

Here are two pics where you can see the location.


Upper right corner in this photo above the oil filter adapter block bolt holes.



Zoomed in on the date code.

[Dwight]

I have a 428 block and a few pics.

Dwight

back of block sometimes has markings.

"S" blocks have heavy web and can be crossbolted.








date code




this is what I pulled the 428 out of, a 1967 Q code stationwagon.

[dandascott]

Great photos. I found the date code. I have not figured out what numbers they are becasue the paint covered it up pretty good. However the screw marks are evident and it appears to be 4 characters between the screw marks.
Thanks to all for the replies.

[classical glass]

Thanks guys for all the info. I found the casted date code (Sept 8 1966) i'm trying to get the paper work together to send all the info to the state so I can register it. What I can't seem to locate is the engine serial number. It's a 427 side oiler for sure. Some people tell me it's on the rh front of the block on a pad, the pad is there but no casting info. I also heard it's above the starter motor on the right side of the motor. No luck. The state won't accept my application without this number. Any help would be great.
Thanks in advance....

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by classical glass

Thanks guys for all the info. I found the casted date code (Sept 8 1966) i'm trying to get the paper work together to send all the info to the state so I can register it. What I can't seem to locate is the engine serial number. It's a 427 side oiler for sure. Some people tell me it's on the rh front of the block on a pad, the pad is there but no casting info. I also heard it's above the starter motor on the right side of the motor. No luck. The state won't accept my application without this number. Any help would be great.
Thanks in advance....

You'll have to use the engine date code - VIN stamping was not required until the 1968 model year, and your engine was produced the previous year. Ford did partially stamp some engines prior to that, but it sounds like it was pretty inconsistent - so no guarantee yours would have been stamped. Check for stamping on a pad on the block just under the back of the driver's side cylinder head - just in case.