"Generic Full Size Ford"

[Slash]

I just ran the casting number on a old 351W block of mine and it turns out it was an unpainted '74 block (odd, most are painted Ford blue from the factory, also very pleased as I thought it was a 75 or 76 for the longest time). The thing is I wanted to know what vehicle it was out of. The casting number started with D4AE, and according to several resources, the third letter is the vehicle (this I know). I ran the letter and it came up as "Generic Full Size Ford". No specific model. The block itself was cast at Casting Plant 1.


My question is what qualifies as a "Generic Full Size Ford"? I've never run into this issue before and there isn't much about it on the internet from what I've seen. Is it a block that never made it in a vehicle? That seems the most obvious considering as it was unpainted as well. I wast always told it was out of an early to mid '70s Ranchero and I know that's a full size vehicle but the casting numbers usually have the vehicle it was in instead of that "generic" thing.


Also the last thing I wanted to point out was that after the basic engine number there is 3 more digits instead of one like normal. Does this signify anything?


Here's an example of a standard casting number, this is mostly universal.

C7OE-6015-B

Decoded, this number would show that it's an engine, the number for a engine is 6015 always, the C7 would show it's a 1967 part, and the O would signify its out of a Torino/Fairlane.

Here's mine.

D4AE-6105-AA 1

What are the last 3 letters for? Why is there a space between the AA and 1? This seems a bit strange to me, I have a lot of pictures if anyone wants to see them or anything.


EDIT: I just noticed that Ford doesn't have an vehicle ID number for the Ranchero or Galaxy, both are listed in the Generic thing. So it would be out of a Ranchero. Cool. Second question still stands. If it was out of a Ranchero how would I identify what model Ranchero?

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

From the web..

The last character in our example C5AE-6015-A is the suffix. "A" means an original part, "B" means the first revision of the part, "C" means the second revision, "D" means the third revision and so forth. During the hectic days of constantly stiffer emissions in the 1970's it was very common to come across a cylinder head that had AA or AB stamped on it. Meaning many revisions as they strived to meet emission regulations.

Hopefully this helps.

 

[XS]

It's from a Galaxie. D indicates decade, 1970s in this case. 4 indicates 1974. A indicates the Galaxie model line. And AA is the part revision number, in the case of your block, the deck was shaved, the compression ratio reduced therefore they needed a new indicator for the difference in deck height.

D4AE-6105-AA I

Edit,
Three generations of my family worked for Ford and I just asked for any further clarification. Turns out that the AA 1 or AA 2,3,4 were block, year, and model revisions. The engines were not made in 1974 despite being stamped as such, the revision number AA was added to indicate the blocks were made in 1977-1979, did not go in Galaxies, but Lincolns instead, and the last revision the AA indicates that the deck was shaved again for further emissions standards. So, as it sets, you have a engine for a 1977-1979 Lincoln.

 

[Slash]

But the thing is the engine was pulled from a Ranchero according to my father who pulled the motor after asking him today that is what its from for sure...That's kind of conflicting. Seeing as it said it could be either a Galaxie or Ranchero it's a bit confusing. Regardless the engine was definitely not pulled from any Lincoln, I can confirm that. This is really interesting.

Also if it was stamped again to show it was made in the late 70s then why does it still start with a D4 casting? Shouldn't it start with a D7, D8, or D9 casting?

And I did have it punched out .030 before, and according to the machinist it can go another .030 out which is only recommended on '69-'74 blocks. The others are prone to overheating from the thin cylinder walls.

Also the first emissions stuff was put on in the very early 70s so the AA 1 being the first revision would be correct for the year.

This is quite the interesting block, conflicting stuff right here.

 

[XS]

Well, we can clear it up a little easier, the 1974 block should be distinctly more stout than a 1977 block. The '74 and earlier blocks weigh approximately 10-11 lbs more than later blocks. When looking at your block at the crank plane, the main webs are filled-in, thus the area from the pan rails to the main webs is flush. On later blocks, the main web area isn't flush and the area between pan rails and the webs is recessed or machined. This was done to cut the mass of the block. Also, a nice side-effect is that the earlier blocks were easy for adding 4 bolt mains. But this day in age a two-bolt main cap, bolt-on girdle is just as good anyway.
Both early and late blocks can accept a 0.60 overbore without consequence - unless you're a regular lead foot.
Part and casting numbers may be used for many years after the number indicates. Also they may be used in any number of applications and car models. Your block could very well have been used in a Ranchero from the factory. The problem is before 1975 Ford did not use the double digit revision numbers, AA in your case, in that specific format on the Windsor. Is the date stamping still visible? That should also narrow it down quite a bit. It is located near the oil pan rail toward the back of the block, on the right side as you're facing the rear looking forward. I'm assuming you don't have a starter on it right now, but it's hidden by the starter. The code may be along the lines of 4A03, which means January 3rd, 1974.

 

[Slash]

It's nothing but the raw block. I'll have to clean it off as the picture I took of it is a bit hard to read. This block had IDK how many miles on it before we got it and then with the .30 out we put quite the miles on it. We slam on the gas quite a bit so we are hesitant to bore it again and are considering scrapping it.

I wouldn't add 4 bolt mains to any Windor period simply because it does more harm than good and weakens the block when you drill the holes out. When I looked the main webs were filled in.

My dad says the car was a 1975 or a 1976 but he couldn't remember. One of those 2 years.

 

[XS]

Yeah, this day in age a four bolt main is rare, old school stuff, not needed. Well, I think you're right, '75-'76 Ranchero fits. I wish we had the date stamp, then at least you could narrow it down exactly. But yeah, to answer your original question, at least we know your block is the first revision due to emission and compression ratios and AA is primarily used to designate that, but also ended up in late '70s Lincolns. Fun stuff.

 

[Slash]

Next time I open up the shed I'll clean it off. It shows up in the picture but it's hard to read. Probably in a couple of days I'll get it.

This motor was built to the max anyways when we used it, right now we've been contemplating if it's worth scrapping or boring out another .30. Leaning towards scrapping since the cylinder walls bowed out quite a bit when the piston skirts broke off.

 

[XS]

Yeah that's a mess. I mean, what application are you going to use it for anyway? It'll have to be pretty mild. If you were going numbers up in a Rachero it would be worth it, but if it's not going anywhere near a Rachero (or Galaxie come to think of it) then I might scrap it. It's not like Windsors are growing on trees, yet there are still quite a lot of them still out there, so it's not like you're tossing a 239 flathead either.

 

[Slash]

The only thing I was going to use it for was something in the future if I needed a block and planned on using it for something (not sure what though). Didn't need to be anything special.

I agree there are a gazillion Windsor blocks out there and even if you can't find out aftermarket companies still make them. Hell Ford even still builds them, albeit crate motors.