63 Cobra 289 HIPO

[S7MS427]

Here are the Block Assembly Date and the Engine Assembly date from my engine.  While not a Cobra, these stampings still  illustrate what we are talking about.  The date decodes as November 3rd, 1965.  The letters are the initial of the individual who did the work.

[Road Reptile]

Hi Hipo Fans,
First a huge THANK YOU to Dan for sharing a wealth of knowledge.
Second comment is the main bearing caps are considered part of the assembly by Ford, and were machined to match after passing the inspection process. A block is stamped with several dates and the date as well as the assembler or inspector initial follows as
Roy's pictures show. Final assembly date normally would mean it has passed all tests for oil/water/leaks and final inspection(s)
Any machining of the deck surface can eliminate this date code so if you are rebuilding- make an effort to photograph prior to any
machine work. Does anyone know how many engines were produced in 63-67 time frame ?
Regards R.R.
P.S. Roy p.m.sent

[Dan Case]

Hi Hipo Fans,
First a huge THANK YOU to Dan for sharing a wealth of knowledge....Does anyone know how many engines were produced in 63-67 time frame ?

Regards R.R.

You are welcome. 1963-67 models, no but 1963-64 about 6,900 HP289s in multiple specification sets. The highest five bolt bell housing engine numbers that Bob Mannel and I have documented so far were installed in new Cobras.  See also Reply 6.

[S7MS427]

Any machining of the deck surface can eliminate this date code so if you are rebuilding- make an effort to photograph prior to any
machine work.
Regards R.R.

I explained to the shop that assembled the engine, the significance of the stampings and they masked those areas off prior to cleaning and avoided machining the engine assembly date when they decked the block.  There was no need to machine the oil pan rail.