The casting numbers on the heads are correct = 1960 Thunderbird, but the weird block-tag has me stumped.

*COAE 60690-C on the heads

it could be a rebuilders tag or a replacement engine tag from ford. kansasjohn

I haven't found any reference to brass engine tags. the original engine tags were cardboard, as you might guess, not too many have survived.
When you get that engine out let us know all the casting #'s.

Will-do.

I know the engine was rebuilt one time, and the added tag might be from that build....or my understanding of the engine being rebuilt once may turn out to be a remanufactured block was used. I hope not, but the tell-tale "352" casting number usually found on the V-8s of these years...on the block near the coil is not there. Nothing at all on the front other than this tag.

One other thing you might take a look at before you pull the engine is the assembly date stamped on the drivers front of the engine.

tag

It is positively a rebuilder's tag.

This tag is VERY worn. The best I could read from it was:

3-0D29A

or possibly:

3-UD29K

or possibly:

3-OD29R

The top half of the stamped numbers/letters are worn off.

On the opposite side of the block, (upside down) these numbers/letters can be found:

R8AE016B

0D20:4

44

11

DIF


The head stamps match a 1960s 352.

Thanks,

Merid

I am pretty convinced that the block stamp is:

3-UD29K
or
3-UD29R

Here's the break down of your codes.

3 Deaborne Assembly Plant.

U My guess is that it is a ) with the top half not stamped or covered up with gunk

F June


I missed the rest of the code as memory is not what it used to be. I have had bad luck trying to read these codes. I take a Hi res. digital photo and blown up the numbers pop.

From what you have so far this engine seems to have been in your bird assuming your's is a later production and high S/N bird.

Good Luck
Fuz
58's&64's
Sun Prairie, Wi.
tmjsong1@aol.com

oops.

D is April

29 is 29 th day

K or R Symbol of engine assembly person.

Fuz
58's&64's
Sun Prairie, Wi.
tmsjong1@aol.com

But this engine stamp will not confirm the SIZE of the engine? 352 , etc?

The original block color of this one is blue, (After going through 3 layers of sprayed-on black paint) of that I have no doubt, which probably means this was NOT a 1960 352 T-bird engine, correct?

Pistons are flat-top with "eyebrows." (Not dished). Hydraulic lifters, ball-end push-rods. No stamped numbers on the rear of engine. It's definitely not a 427.

Everything else thus far, including the heads, intake,exhausts and harmonic balancer, point to a 1960 352, but no clue on the block itself of the true block-size.

Block has a more modern oil-filter drop/mount, but does have the "generator" bolt-hole which is normally missing on newer blocks. No other stamped numbers anywhere other than what I have listed.


Sigh.

You'd think there would be SOME exterior block ID that would confirm it's size on the outside of the engine so that a person would not have to tear its guts out and mic every inch of it before they could say, "Yep, I need parts for a 196_ 3_ _"

I've found some great deals on remanufactured 352s, through 390s and had decided to order one, but I'd still like to know what I have on my hands without tearing out the bottom-side of the engine just to do it.

OK...for anyone who has any knowledge, this is the set of raised engine-block numbers:

B9AE60158
B9AE6015B

The only difference being the last digit. IMpossible to tell whether it is an 8 or a B.

The B9AE could indicate either a 1959 332 or a 1959-1960 352 from what I have found.

I wish I could distinguish between them.

Here are the numbers I found the passenger side of the block on my '60 (The image is reversed, the letters are actually upside down):



I was told that number underneath is the casting date, including the shift. So mine is:

0 = 1960
F = June
22 = 22nd
:3 = third shift

That would make yours (as tmjsong1aolcom pointed out):

0 = 1960
D = April
20 = 20th
:4 = fourth shift

The shift doesn't make sense, though, so I'm wondering if I've got that wrong. Anyone have insight into that?

Doesn't help ID the internals, but should indicate if this could be the original anyway. Mine's old enough to be original to my car.

According to the date codes it was built in 1960.... and since the 332 was not available in 1960 (only in 1958 exports) that would tell us it is a 352.
Check your data plate...if the date on your data plate is real close to your engine assy date then the engine is most likely original to the car