Vin stampings.

[Special Ed]

I dont recall c6 trans tags being date coded but  a trans serial# instead i thought so was c4 trans tags date coded  as that tag is a B  (not an 8 ) in front of c11   so was that trans a c8zp-b id #

[J_Speegle]

Wasn't the plant in the south somewhere?  Don't have that document handy at the moment

Sharonville, OH

Thanks for the clarification. Knew you would remember

I dont recall c6 trans tags being date coded but  a trans serial# instead i thought so was c4 trans tags date coded  as that tag is a B  (not an 8 ) in front of c11   so was that trans a c8zp-b id #

Here is an example from a 68 Mustang Shows the month and day of month and printed in reverse from earlier 65-66 tags

[Special Ed]

so would it be f17  or 17b date?

[J_Speegle]

so would it be f17  or 17b date?

"F17" = June 17th

"B" would be the shift

[shelbymann1970]

I checked some other C4 tags and that date code is 8C11, would be followed by another number, assuming a shift code.  So, yes, March 11, 1968.

If the actual build date of the car was March 13, that would be very tight.

It is a 7+ hour drive from Cleveland to Metuchin for engine deliveries. Where were the trans made? There is no "8" in front of the C. There is a C8ZPB then C 1 1 then the bolt is possibly hiding a character and I'll have him pull the tag to see but appears to be a B. Even back then there was just in time deliveries. If a car is built early I would suspect more lead time on date components but if a car is built on time or late it could mean it was waiting for components and a trans is a component. Not unreal or impossible. Engine  tag says C2 but build on the engine itself is 2-27 by the assy stamp on the block. Both have the same codes on it.  Here is more fodder on the engine: The clips on the valve covers still had the BLUE paint on them. The engine appeared concours correct used dirty before it was tore down for the rebuild. The components are date coded also. Rods are Jan. He built a stroker so he kept all his original components so he has all the original rods pistons cranks and camshaft. All Ford. All date coded to a factory Feb build so I'm in my opinion it was an untouched engine and not a rebuild. This trans was specific  for a 302 Mustang only. How many 302 4V autos did they build in 1968? Next is to find the date codes on the casting. If Sharonville was the plant that produced the trans it is a 9 hour drive from that city to Metuchin.

[shelbymann1970]

Wasn't the plant in the south somewhere?  Don't have that document handy at the moment

Sharonville, OH

Thanks for the clarification. Knew you would remember

I dont recall c6 trans tags being date coded but  a trans serial# instead i thought so was c4 trans tags date coded  as that tag is a B  (not an 8 ) in front of c11   so was that trans a c8zp-b id #

Here is an example from a 68 Mustang Shows the month and day of month and printed in reverse from earlier 65-66 tags

With all the sleuthing over the years has there even been a data base with cars actual build dates along with the corresponding "tag" dates for components like engine, trans, sheet metal. If not this could be an important look into Ford's practices. Problems etc. Of course on untouched "documented numbers matching cars". On the B2 forum they have found a few cars with blocks cast months before the car was built. What about components that are built a few days before car assy  when parts become bottle necks in the system. A factory with a shortage of 351C 2V engines in 1970 might see engine tag assy dates real close to the car's assy. I have heard stories of the 351C  2V in 1970 that is why I mention this. My friend owns a 70 Mach1 H-code original paint interior etc survivor with the 2V Cleveland in it. Just had it built at Roush and pulled 330HP on the dyno with a holley 2V on it. Jack showed up saw the performance and asked what was in the engine(cam pistons), what was done to the heads and asked them to use an adapter and put a 4 V on it. Pulled a lot more HP out of that engine. The way the heads were rebuilt, new guides installed and the ports "flash" ported was really interesting as it was done on a high tech laser machine and it did the job real fast. That is why Roush's quoted price to build the engine was much less than other "old" tech engine shops in the area when dealing with the canted valves.

[Tired Sheep]

I agree not impossible. But, not likely...

You originally asked what other people thought. Now you're trying very hard to persuade them.

Find some other examples of a super tight window. I am sure you can find cars from the same DSO. They will have automatic transmissions and there is a high probability they will be originals.

[shelbymann1970]

I agree not impossible. But, not likely...

You originally asked what other people thought. Now you're trying very hard to persuade them.

Find some other examples of a super tight window. I am sure you can find cars from the same DSO. They will have automatic transmissions and there is a high probability they will be originals.

did you read my post and see I asked if anyone had charted documenting numbers matching engines and trans compared to the dates of the cars along with sheet metal? I also mentioned that on the B2 forum they found blocks that were used months later. I'm not trying to persuade anyone here. I'm just trying to find out all possible scenarios and like with the numbers someone here could have a tight time frame or a chart showing patterns of built components to car assy dates. Bottom line the tag was stamped on a Monday and car was built on a Wednesday assuming all records are correct. That is why now I want to find other C4 equipped 302 Mustangs from Metuchin or Dearborn with trans codes VS Build dates. It is easy to DISMISS something than to do a lot of hard work to come to a more accurate conclusion wouldn't you say? I know we are talking 1968 here but working in the auto manufacturing arena since 1985 our components do not sit around. They get built crated/racked and moved to the docks where trucks show up every day for shipment. At one point right out of bankruptcy I drove a HiLO for 3 weeks and our assembled components I would bar code tag with a date code and I would move them to the docks and stack the racks. Parts were generally gone the same day out the door. My leader loaded the trucks. We would hydroform Corvette frame rails and ship the same day or load on a rail car but in those we were stock piling since they were moving the rail operations to Canada so were were building more than they needed so they had stock for the transition period of the dies and stamping process to be finished in Oshawa. What becomes difficult is if the assy plants rotated their stock of components as it came in the door.

[Tired Sheep]

I read all your posts.  What I see is a lot of hostility, because no one that responded in this thread will support your agenda.

[shelbymann1970]

I read all your posts.  What I see is a lot of hostility, because no one that responded in this thread will support your agenda.

LOL what I see from you is a person who appears not to read and wants to start crap. No hostility. It isn't my car. Told my friend I'd try and get to the bottom of it. You have added nothing here but opinions. Those who know me know that I am diligent on trying to uncover everything and not assume anything and I'm NOT a hostile person. Too bad SAAC 1.0 isn't around as I have had lively discussions on 69-70 Shelbys where experts have told me I was wrong only to have info come out(period pics and those who did things are GREAT resources) to prove I was right and have seen others change their stance and others have been quiet from their initial  "that wasn't the  way it was" posts. It is no wonder others have left this forum. I will continue on this journey and if it bothers you as it appears to do just turn off the notifications to it. Gary

[Tired Sheep]

What am I starting?

You are ignoring the facts because you have mind made up already.

What about the different sized fonts and character shapes pointed out earlier? You choose not to see that

[J_Speegle]

With all the sleuthing over the years has there even been a data base with cars actual build dates along with the corresponding "tag" dates for components like engine, trans, sheet metal. If not this could be an important look into Ford's practices. Problems etc. Of course on untouched "documented numbers matching cars"..................

Yes at least a number of people have collected and organized this sort of information for their use. Sometimes they include allot more data points than just what you listed. Surprisingly some started recording data back in the 60's-70's for certain types of cars

Remember that if your comparing Boss 302's built at Dearborn (often not identified in those discussions) the date spreads really IMHO don't apply to your situation.

[shelbymann1970]

With all the sleuthing over the years has there even been a data base with cars actual build dates along with the corresponding "tag" dates for components like engine, trans, sheet metal. If not this could be an important look into Ford's practices. Problems etc. Of course on untouched "documented numbers matching cars"..................

Yes at least a number of people have collected and organized this sort of information for their use. Sometimes they include allot more data points than just what you listed. Surprisingly some started recording data back in the 60's-70's for certain types of cars

Remember that if your comparing Boss 302's built at Dearborn (often not identified in those discussions) the date spreads really IMHO don't apply to your situation.

agree 100 percent. anomalies are generally plant specific. I do not think you will find "MADE DE MEXICO" stamped  on a latch support on a Dearborn car but you will on a SJ car. Have you seen that Jeff? it was on a SJ R-code Mach1 I restored 30 years ago.

[Royce Peterson]

Here's a couple examples of a '68 C6 from an R code. No date code, just a transmission part number and transmission serial number.

Wasn't the plant in the south somewhere?  Don't have that document handy at the moment

Sharonville, OH

Thanks for the clarification. Knew you would remember

I dont recall c6 trans tags being date coded but  a trans serial# instead i thought so was c4 trans tags date coded  as that tag is a B  (not an 8 ) in front of c11   so was that trans a c8zp-b id #

Here is an example from a 68 Mustang Shows the month and day of month and printed in reverse from earlier 65-66 tags

[J_Speegle]

......................I do not think you will find "MADE DE MEXICO" stamped  on a latch support on a Dearborn car but you will on a SJ car. Have you seen that Jeff? it was on a SJ R-code Mach1 I restored 30 years ago.

Never. Would have liked to see that. Was it metal stamped or just ink?  Wonder if it was a service replacement of some form.

Here's a couple examples of a '68 C6 from an R code. No date code, just a transmission part number and transmission serial number.

Agreed that period C6's carried a different style tag but since the focus is on C4 posted just one of those.

Not sure if C6's were assembled at the same transmission plant or a different one. Tag would suggest a different one