Decoding Ford casting numbers

Understanding Ford casting numbers system

Understanding Ford casting numbers is easy once you know the numbering structure. Ford used various structures for their part numbers and date codes. Most casting part numbers have 9 digits within 3 different groups, and the first digit is the start of the part number.

The Ford casting number always starts with the ‘Decade’ letter. Ford began using this structure in the late 1950s, with the first letter being ‘B.’ In the 1960s, the letter changed to ‘C’ and ‘D’ for the 1970s, and so on. The ‘Year’ number always follows the Decade digit. The combination of Decade and Year indicates the actual model year the part was originally designed for.

The Decade letter is the start of the Ford casting number. Even if additional numbers or groups of numbers are found nearby, you should always look for the Decade letter at the start of the casting number.

There are typically 3 groups of numbers, and each group is often separated by a dash or a space. Sometimes, there is no space between the 2nd and 3rd groups of numbers.

Here is an example of a 1969 428 CJ carburetor: C9AE-9510-M

Another version of the casting number contains only 2 groups of numbers, for which it identifies the Application Information and the Engineering Version. Some castings even contain only 1 group of numbers, specifying only the Application Number.

Take a look at this sample casting number for a 1967 flywheel: C7TE-B

Breaking down the Ford casting number

Table 1.3

Model Design ( the 3rd digit from the first group)

The Model Design digit is the 3rd digit in the part number. It identifies the intended model for the part. It mainly consists of a letter, but with some car models, a number replaces the letter.

Most parts are designed for more than one model application. They are generic Model Design digits like A, O, or S. These generic digits make the part universal and/or specific to a body type.

Some parts are designed with a specific application in mind. In most cases, when a specific Model Design digit like Z or W (Mustang or Cougar) is found on a part, the part is specific to the intended model.

For example, D0ZF-9510-AA is a 1970 428 CJ carburetor designed for the Model Mustang and used only on Mustangs.

For example, C8OE-9510-D is a 1968 Carburetor designed for a 390 motor with a Fairlane body type. However, it was not designed exclusively for the Fairlane application alone, as the carburetor was also used on Mustangs 390 and Cougars 390.

‘Ford usually designed parts for a specific body line.’ This is true, but it is important to understand that most parts are not limited to a specific body line. Most of the parts were also used on several models and body lines.

Take this example: C8AE-9425-F is a 1968 390 intake design for the Galaxie, but the intake was also used on all models and car lines with the 390 engine. Basic Design Digit “A” is a generic code.

The Model Design digit is often the most misunderstood information on Ford casting numbers. The Model Design digit is only a partial reference to the intended application. It does not imply a specific application. It should only be a basic guide to understanding the intended application.

Take this example: C5AE-9425-M is a 1965 289 intake designed for Galaxie with a 289 motor, but the part may have been used on every model car line with the 289 motor. The Mustang 289 also uses this intake, meaning you will never see a Z as the third digit on this intake when Ford used it on Mustangs.

Only important or relevant applications are shown in this table

Basic Part Number

( Second group of numbers )

The Basic Part Number group is mostly a 4-digit numeric group of numbers.
For example, C6AE-9425-K contains part number 9425, which identifies this part as an intake manifold.

The Basic Part Number group may also be 5 or 6 digits long and contain letters. Letters are only found with part numbers longer than 4 digits. Letters should be removed to reveal the actual Part Number group.

Take this example: D0ZF-10A336-A contains part number 10A336. Removing letter A reveals that this part belongs to the Alternator group 10000-10499. In fact, this part is the alternator mounting bracket on a 1970 BOSS 302.