How do I tell if the engine in my 60HT is the original???
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Original engine???
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You can't.
However you can get all the casting codes of block, heads, manifold and the engine assembly date and correlate them with the car's build date. If all the date are in logical and reasonable order, you can feel comfortable that the engine is original to the car. The only thing you'll know for sure is that the engine is 'date' correct for your car.
Sometimes you can tell if an engine has been out of the car, if yours doesn't look to have ever been pulled and the dates are correct, that may help validate to you that it's original. But there is no sure-fire proof.Ken
1959 J Convertible
1960 J Hardtop -
Block casting dates are on the passenger side toward the front under the exhaust manifold. You'll need to get under the car to see them.
The exhaust manifold casting dates are on the underside of the manifolds, again, you gotta get under the car.
I was able to see mine pretty well when I have the suspension out. Not sure how easy they are to find with all the control arms in.Comment
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My stamped dates (after much ado about reading them, as they were SO DARNED UNCLEAR and worn down) indicate the engine in my T-bird is the right size, and was made about 40ish days prior to the vehicle date-stamp-code. Everything on the top-side (Heads, exhaust, etc) point to the right size and year as well.
I guess something like that would probably be as close as you could get.
The raised-letter/number stamps on my block were also upside-down, which I understand is common? Perhaps with Dearborne 352s?Comment
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All I know for sure is when I bought the car the valve covers were yellow so it is the proper year.What I am concerned with is the #75,000 was written on one cover.The car showed 75,000 miles on the odometer.I don't know if they replaced the motor and then changed the odometer to match it or what.
Guess I will have to squeeze my fat head under there and get the cast numbers.Oh WellComment
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The location of all the casting numbers can be found in the current version of VTCI's consourse rules. The rules also decode the dates.
If you wish to send me pics of the date codes I can decode them for you.
The date codes on most of the engine parts are usually within a few days of one another and they are a few days prior to the build date of the engine located on the boss that sticks out slightly near the dip stick on the front of the engine block. Hard to read as I usually shoot a digital photo after cleaning and can easily read the numbers and letters.
Goof Luck
Fuz
58's&64'
Sun Prairie, Wi.
tmjsong1@aol.comComment
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