Note:
Part (or service) numbers (used for ordering and inventory purposes, and marked on parts
boxes, tags and labels) should not be confused with engineering or
casting numbers (normally stamped on or cast in the part for identification
during the manufacturing process). They are not interchangeable --
however all follow the same general rules, so these charts may be used to
provide approximate interpretations of all types of these markings. |
Ford
casting or part numbers follow a basic format and can easily be
deciphered. The casting number will designate the year a part
was originally designed and the vehicle it was originally
designed for. This does not mean that the part was not used on
other vehicles or subsequent years.
Most casting numbers are stamped into the part itself, others
have the number cast (molded) onto the part. Some casting numbers can
be ink stamped while others are printed on paper, which is then
wrapped around the part.
The
first letter of the standard 4-digit prefix gives the decade, the following number gives the
year of the decade, the next letter gives the vehicle line and the
last letter is the engineering department number. The prefix is
followed by the base number...that is, a number assigned to
identify the part itself. The base number is the same for all
vehicle lines and may or may not be followed by a revision
number. Any changes to the original design would be noted here.
So
this is the breakdown of a typical casting (engineering) number prefix:
NOTE: The following info doesn't apply to
hardware or
tools:
First Digit: Decade (EXAMPLE:
C5ZZ)
A = 1940's
(often
omitted)
B = 1950's
C = 1960's |
D = 1970's
E = 1980's
F = 1990's |
|
Second Digit: Year Number (EXAMPLE: C5ZZ)
Last digit
of year
of introduction
or revision. This number corresponds to the decade shown in the first
digit. Thus C5 = 1965. |
Third
Digit: Model (EXAMPLE: C5ZZ)
A = Ford
(Generic) / Galaxie (1958-later)
B = Bronco (1970-73), Maverick (1975-77), Fairmont (1978-83)
C = Remanufactured Parts (1966-75), Elite (1975), Capri (1979-later)
D = Falcon (1960-69), Maverick (1970-74), Granada (1975-82), LTD (1983-later)
E = Truck (Cab over Engine) (1970-73), Pinto (1976-80), Escort (1981-later)
F = Foreign sales / Trans Am Racing
G = Comet (1961-67), Montego (1968-76), EXP (1982-later)
H = Holman/Moody HiPo Part, Heavy Truck (1966-82), Medium Heavy Truck (1983-later)
I = NOT USED
J = Industrial / Marine engines
K = Edsel (1958-60), Tilt Cab (1970-73), Comet (1975-77), Zephyr (1978-83), Marquis (1983-later)
L = Lincoln (1958-60), Mark (1961-later)
M = Mercury (1958-later)
N = Tractor (1958-later)
O = Fairlane (1962-68, Torino (1969-76), LTD II (1977-79), LN7 (1982-83)
P = Autolite (Later Motorcraft) (1962-later)
Q =- NOT USED
R = Rotunda (Generic)(1962-69), Ford of Europe (1970-later), Remanufactured Parts (1976?-later)
S = Thunderbird (1958-later)
T = Truck (1958-65), Light/Medium Truck (1966-82), Bronco (1966-82, Except 1970-73), Light Truck & Bronco I (1983-later)
U = Econoline/Club Wagon Van (1961-later)
V = Lincoln Continental (1961-81)
W = Cougar (1967-80), XR7 (1981-82), Cougar (1983-later)
X = Truck (Short Highway) (1970-73)
Y = Meteor (Canada) (1962-72), Bobcat (1975-80), Lynx (1981-later)
Z = Mustang 1964-73; Mustang II 1974-78; Mustang
1979-later
1 = NOT USED
2 = Pinto (1972-75)
3 = Tempo (1984-later)
4 = Comet (1971-74), Monarch (1975-80), Cougar (1981-82), Marquis (1983-later)
5 = Recreation Vehicles (1974-75), Continental (1982-later)
6 = Pantera (1971-75), Topaz (1984-later)
7 = Courier (1971-82); Ranger/Bronco II (1983-up); Explorer (1991-later)
8 = Capri (U.S. Parts) (1972-75)
9 = Turbine Engine Parts (1970-75) |
|
Fourth Digit: Design
Engineering Office (EXAMPLE: C5ZZ)
A = Light
Truck Engineering Division
B = Body and Electrical Product Division
C = Chassis
D = Overseas Product Engineering
E = Engine
F = General Parts/Electrical and Electronics Division
G = NOT USED
H = Climate Control (1972-up)
I = NOT USED
J = Autolite/Ford Parts & Service Division
K = NOT USED
L = Industrial Engine Parts & Service
M = Performance/Special Vehicle Operations (Incl. Holman Moody)
N = Tractor Parts
O = NOT USED
P = Auto Transmission
Q = NOT USED
R = Manual Transmission
S = Light & Heavy Truck Special Order Parts
T = Heavy Truck Engineering
U = Special Vehicle Operations
W = Axle and Driveshaft
X = Emissions, Economy and Special Vehicle Engineering (Muscle Car
Parts)
Y = Lincoln/Mercury Service Parts
Z = Ford Service Parts
|
So
for example, an engineering number such as C8AE-6881-A in the example
pictured here would be broken down
like this:
C =
Decade of 1960
8 = year of decade (i.e.1968)
A = Galaxie car line
E = Engine engineering
6881 = base number for an engine oil filter adaptor
A = further
information about part revisions, design changes or application.
Now
wasn't that easy? Just keep in mind that just because this
engineering number shows it was originally engineered for a
Galaxie, that doesn't mean it wasn't consequently used on a
variety of other applications.
This
was just a VERY basic primer on casting numbers. For more
detailed information
on casting numbers and Ford part numbers, visit the pages below:
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