FE Block Numbers

[clayfoushee]

Rick,

Thanks for bringing this back to life. Do you agree with RR above, that E3 1G8 (or 3) would decode to July 3 or 8, 1971? I think one reason they concluded it was a service block was the lack of a pass car number on the pass. side of the block (in addition to the presence of ribs).

Your post was very useful. No matter what it is, or when it was made, it is a very nice side-oiler, and it runs like a champion. I'm quite pleased with it, and was more interested as a point of history than with it's monetary value.

[Rick Bagley]

Clay,

1 is the year, no side oilers in 61 so that makes it a 71 block, the G is the month, A=Jan, B=Feb and so on, so G=7month or July, then the last number is the date, 8th day. So that looks correct.
July the 3rd or 8th, 1971. Service Block.

[427craze]

Hi guys got some more questions regarding this thread: My 427 block info is very similar to what has been described above, except for the fact that my block does not have any ribs on the either side. Also it appears to be a side oiler, complete with oil gallery. Does anyone know how you can tell if it was actually drilled as a side oiler and not a top/center oiler? And if not, what needs to be done to the block to make it a side oiler? I was told it was a 1970 marine or service block.

[Mr427]

Spare ribs?

Ford made millions of the FE over its lifetime. In fact, some 5.4 million of them, from what I have been able to surmise.

The ribs you are all talking about are on your blocks, because they were added to the cores, to reinforce the cores themselves and not the blocks that were being cast in them.

Many have wondered at these "reinforcement" ribs on the FE, but they are anything but.

However, they are good for helping apporximate a blocks´ age. In our case, all these blocks with the ribs were made towards the end of the FE´s procuction life cycle at Ford.

Just my two cents.

[clayfoushee]

Thanks Mr427....that's very interesting and consistent with what I've learned about my block....1971.

[FFR428]

427craze, The marine blocks were all cast as sideoilers but drilled topoilers. If you look at the sideoiler casting hump you should see NO allen screws where the sideoilers are drilled and tapped. I also believe you cannot drill SOME of them as sideoilers because the marine motor mounts interfered with the sideoiler galley casting and were shaved slightlty for fitment. Was this common to all marine blocks? who knows?? Chances are if it is a service block the galley would not be shaved and you could drill it. You would get a fresh casting not modified. My guess that only factory installed (chris craft) engines would be shaved for the motor mounts. Either Dove or Gessford (or both) I think have drilled some but it is a hit or miss deal. I would run it as is or look for a sideoiler casting that is out of a car or automotive serivce block that has been drilled by Ford at the factory if your heart and wallet are set on it. So take a look and let us know what you see!Good luck, Glenn.