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1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1966 Mustang => Topic started by: drummingrocks on March 17, 2013, 10:25:38 PM

Title: Approximate Changeover Date for Exhaust Manifold Lock Tabs?
Post by: drummingrocks on March 17, 2013, 10:25:38 PM

I'm working on my '66 fastback, built December 8th, 1965, at Dearborn.  The car was complete when I got it, but the original engine was out of the car.  I'm trying to figure out if my car would've had lock tabs on the exhaust manifolds or not.  NPD lists the changeover/phase-out date as sometime in December 1965, which doesn't help me.  I've got the engine back out of the car and am correcting a few details, and this is something that would be a lot easier corrected now rather than later.

Thanks for any help!!

Title: Re: Approximate Changeover Date for Exhaust Manifold Lock Tabs?
Post by: mgmradio on March 17, 2013, 10:50:33 PM

I would go with the lock tabs. Figure the engine was built before the car so probably Nov or early Dec.

Title: Re: Approximate Changeover Date for Exhaust Manifold Lock Tabs?
Post by: jwc66k on March 18, 2013, 12:14:41 AM

Check the engine assembly date before doing anything rash. The date is on a tab sticking out near the distributor (see pic), formatted - 5M2Z (year, month, day, inspector ID = 1965, Dec, 2nd, inspector Zed).
Jim

Title: Re: Approximate Changeover Date for Exhaust Manifold Lock Tabs?
Post by: J_Speegle on March 18, 2013, 06:53:25 PM

Quote from: jwc66k on March 18, 2013, 12:14:41 AM

Check the engine assembly date before doing anything rash. The date is on a tab sticking out near the distributor (see pic), formatted - 5M2Z (year, month, day, inspector ID = 1965, Dec, 2nd, inspector Zed).
Jim

I think "Zed" was the assembler not the inspector according to Ford ;) But yes that date would be the best indicator (landmark) for comparing engine changes

Title: Re: Approximate Changeover Date for Exhaust Manifold Lock Tabs?
Post by: drummingrocks on March 18, 2013, 11:21:22 PM

I'm not familiar with the date stamp you are referring to. I do, however have the original metal tag that bolted to the intake manifold. Would that help, or is that what you are referring to?

Title: Re: Approximate Changeover Date for Exhaust Manifold Lock Tabs?
Post by: jwc66k on March 19, 2013, 12:29:52 AM

That tag would help, but it could have been replaced. The block's stamping is a more permanent mark. The picture is of my Oct 65 San Jose K Fastback showing the location with relation to the fuel pump and a few other nearby items taken about 10 minutes ago. The boss (aka tab) is also used for retaining one of the water pump bolts. You can see the 5H23Z (ok, "agent Zed" then) stamped on mine.
Jim

Title: Re: Approximate Changeover Date for Exhaust Manifold Lock Tabs?
Post by: bryancobb on March 19, 2013, 06:46:06 AM

My Change Level 11 C-Code 289, came from Windsor with a date on the original tag of "B" = February.
This engine had the bend-the-tab type saddle straps under the manifold bolts.  I suppose they could have been changed before I bought the car in 1979, but I doubt the ramp-lock bolts were ever used on this engine.

In my mind, I am 99% sure that it was assembled in Windsor using the saddle straps.

(http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad350/bryancobb/enginetag.jpg)

Title: Re: Approximate Changeover Date for Exhaust Manifold Lock Tabs?
Post by: drummingrocks on March 19, 2013, 10:55:35 AM

Wow,  I never knew about the boss on the actual engine itself.  Mine reads "5G29M."

The aluminum tag on the intake reads:
289   C   66    9
5-G          250-S