Thread: casting numbers on fe

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hello, I bought a 65 galaxie recently,I wonder if someone could help figure out these casting numbers.the block numbers are C6ME ,head number by spark plug area is C4AE-G. the car runs ok ,ran 15.0 at 100mph,with a 3.00 gear,with a g-tech meter.it needs some tuning up etc. would be thankful for any help,great forum, thanks.

Best I can find, the C6ME blocks can be about anything. I've got C6ME-A, which looks to be a .060 over 390 (or 410 - it's got the 1U crank). That number shows for everything from 390 through 428, and I've seen indications it's also used for the 352. The test I'd read was to see if you could fit a 1/4" (some sources say 13/64") drill bit between the cylinders through the freeze plug holes, but those can be hard to get to...

Anyway, a "C" on the back of the block (also hard to see while installed) reportedly means reinforced main web 428 (CJ), or 390 if the casting date is early. "A" scratched in the sand before the block was cast supposedly indicates a standard 428, and no mark could be a 390 or a 352 if the casting is early.

Good luck!

The C4-G heads are 64-65 352/390 heads. And as snakeherder mentioned the block could be one of many with that casting number. The date codes will at least tell you if the block and heads are original. Short of taking a head off to measure the bore it's hard to tell. The stroke you can measure easily enough to get a better idea what your dealing with. The 352 had a 3.50 stroke and the 390 a 3.78. The 428 a 3.98. I'd start with checking the stroke as you don't have to tear into anything to check it. G.