Thread: FE Engine Identification

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Could anyone please tell me what exactly this engine is? The stamping on the block is difficult to make out but it looks like it is stamped C4AE-6015-A. The stamping on the heads are C4AE-60900. I was told it was a 390 Police Interceptor Engine, but I would like to confirm. Thanks.
Kevin

Reading Casting NumbersReading Casting Numbers
Casting numbers tell when a part was ORIGINALLY designed and what car it was
ORIGINALLY designed for. This does not mean that the part was not used on other
cars. For example, casting number C8OE-9430-D is an exhaust manifold for a 428
CJ Fairlane; however, it was also used on 428 CJ Mustangs.
Example:
The breakdown of casting number C8OE-9430-D is easy using the charts below:
C = Decade of 1960
8 = Year of the decade (8th year of 1960), 1968
O = Fairlane Car line / Manufacture code
E = Engine engineering department
9430 = Basic number for an exhaust manifold
N = Design change
Casting Number Breakdown Charts
Decade of Manufacture:
A = 1940
B = 1950
C = 1960
D = 1970
E = 1980
Year of Decade
The year of the decade is determined by adding a number (0-9) to the letter of
the decade. Example: C6 would be 1966, D0 would be 1970, D1 would be 1971.
Car Line/ Manufacture Codes
A = Galaxie
D = Falcon (60-69)
F = Outside USA, Trans Am racing
G = Comet / Montego
J = Industrial
M = Mercury
O = Fairlane / Torino
P = Autolite / Motorcraft
R = Rotunda
S = Thunderbird
T = Truck
V = Lincoln (61 - current)
Z = Mustang
Engineering Departments
A = Chassis
B = Body
E = Engine
F = Engine accessories
J = Autolite (67-72)
P = Automatic transmission
R = Manual transmission
W = Axle
X = Muscle parts program
Y = Lincoln / Mercury service parts
Z = Ford service parts
Basic Number
These identify the part, such as 6090 being a cylinder head or 9430 being an
exhaust manifold.
Design Change
A Basic part is made to fit many applications. Example:
DOZZ-7528-C is a clutch bar for a 390/428
DOZZ-7528-D is a clutch bar for a 351 W
DOZZ-7529-E is a clutch bar for a 302 Boss
Reading Casting Dates
Casting dates:
Casting dates show the exact day, month and year a certain part was made or
cast. The typical casting date looks like "6M08".
Breaking down a casting date:
6 = The year of the decade. "6" for 1976.
M = The letter of the month. (December)
08 = The day of the month. (8th)
First year month codes:
ABCDEFGHIJKLM
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugN/ASepOctNovDec

Second year month codes:
NOPQRSTUVWXYZ
JanN/AFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

How do casting numbers appear?
Most casting numbers are stamped into the part itself, other have the number
molded on the part. Some casting numbers can be ink stamped while others are
printed on paper, which is then wraped around the part.
FE Casting Numbers
Blocks (C1AE8015C)
390 cid
C1AE-CC1AE-GC1AE-VC2AE-BC
C2AE-BEC2AE-BRC2AE-BSC2SE
C3SE-AC3AE-KYC3ME-BC3AE-AY
C4AE-DC4AE-FC5AE-AC5AE-B
C6MEC6ME-AC8AE-AC8AE-C
C8AE-ED3TE-1D3TE-ACD3TE-HA
D4TE-ACD7TE-BA

406 cid
C2AE-JC2AE-KC2AE-VC2AE-BD
C3AE-DC3AE-V

427 cid
C3AE-MC3AE-ABC3AE-ZC4AE
C4AE-AC5AE-AC5AE-EC5AE-D
C5AE-HC6AE-BC5JE-DC6JE-B
C6AE-CC6AE-DC7AE-AC7JE-A
C8AE-AC8AE-BC8AE-H

428 cid
C6AE-AC6AE-BC6AE-FC6ME
C6ME-AC7MEC7ME-AC8ME

Crankshafts
390 cid [3.78" stroke]
2UC3AE-DC4TE-6303-B
3UC3AE-EC4TZ-A
C1AEC3AE-UC4TZ-B
C1AE-AC3AZC6AE-A
C2AE-BC4AE-BC6TE-6303-C
C2AE-DC4AE-CC6TE-6303-E
C3AEC4AE-DD2TE-6303EA
C3AE-6303-EC4AE-A
C3AE-BC4AZ-A
C3AE-CC4AZ-J

406 cid [3.78" stroke]
2UC3AE-BC4AE-C
3UC3AE-CC4AE-D
C1AEC3AE-DC4AE-A
C1AE-AC3AE-EC4AZ-A
C2AE-BC3AE-UC4AZ-J
C2AE-DC3AZC4AZ-J
C3AEC4AE-BC4TZ-A
C3AE-6303-E C4TZ-B

410 cid [3.98" stroke]
1VAC8ME-AC9ZE-CIU
C6MEC9ZE-BC9ZE-DIUB

427 cid [3.78" stroke]
2UC3AE-BC4AE-C
3UC3AE-CC4AE-D
C1AEC3AE-DC4AE-A
C1AE-AC3AE-EC4AZ-A
C2AE-BC3AE-UC4AZ-J
C2AE-DC3AZC4AZ-J
C3AEC4AE-BC4TZ-A
C3AE-6303-E C4TZ-B

428 cid [3.98" stroke]
1VAC8ME-AC9ZE-CIUC2VE
C6MEC9ZE-BC9ZE-DIUBC6ME

Well the C4AE-A block is either a 64 352 with a 4.00 bore or a 64 427 with a 4.23 bore. I'm guessing the heads are C4AG-6090-G but check the last digit to be sure it's a "G" since there is no "O" in the FE head castings. These are 64 352/390 heads. I'd have to guess it's 64 352 and not a 390PI eongine as you were told. The 352 uses the shorter stroke 3.50 crank and the longer FE rods compared to the 3.78 390 stroke and short rods. It's very possible the 352 block has been bored to the 4.05 std bore with 390 internals and being passed off as a 390PI. Check the numbers on the crank and rods using the chart Viking posted. G.

I did the method of measuring down the spark plug hole several times and each time i got 3.75. Upon further inspection, it does appear that the last digit is a G for the heads. The engine cast number might be C4AE-601B-A instead of C4AE-6015-A. The casting is just too rough to distinguish. Is there any method of checking the bore w/out pulling the heads or the oil pan? It doesn't appear that this engine was ever apart, but it is 40 years old.

After digging a little deeper the C4AE-A could also be a 330HD,391FT or a 361FT also besides the 352. The 6015 is correct and just the internal Ford number for a engine block. Now the 330HD has a 3.875 bore and the 361 and 391 a 4.05. Both 330HD and 361 share the 352's 3.50 stroke. The 391 a 3.79 stroke. Also the 361 and 391 used a forged steel crank and some 330HD used iron cranks and some forged steel. Also the 391FT crank had a larger diameter snout than the std FE crank and used a iron timing cover vs the aluminum FE cover Whatever it is it's not a 390 PI as your being told but sounds like it might have 390 internals. The 330HD,391 and 361 for 64 would have reinforced crank webbing and the crossbolt nubs but no crossbolts. The 352 block would have the std crank webbing and maybe crossbolt nubs. There is really no other way to check the bore without taking a head off. I'd also take the oilpan off and get the casting numbers off the crank and rods. Ford is famous for using the same casting number on a varity of blocks as you can clearly see. As you stated the engine is 40 years old and a lot can happen between then and now. I'd have to say should you want to venture forward on this you should really look inside to see what's what. It can all be ID'd by the part numbers easily. If the seller does not agree to this he obviously has something to hide but most guys should be fine with it. He might even be interested in finding out what it really is himself. Confusing????? you bet but it can all be sorted easily. G.

From what George at Gessford machine told me the block casting indicates C4AE- 6015-A Would be a 427 Possibly, The Heads C4AE-6090 Most Likely High Riser. Look for date code hand stamped on smooth flat area above oil filter almost at the deck & head surface.