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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.

For Example: C8AE-9425-B: Identifies this part as 60’s decade, 8th year. Making it a 1968 application

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

C9AE-9510-M Application information
C9AE-9510-M Basic Part Number
C9AE-9510-M Engineering version

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

C7TE-B Application information
C7TE-B Engineering version

Breaking down the Ford casting number

Table 1.3

C9AE-9510-M Decade alpha
B = 50’s C = 60’s D = 70’s E = 80’s
C9AE-9510-M Year numeric
9 = 9th year of the decade
C9AE-9510-M Model design alphanumeric
A = Full-size Ford
C9AE-9510-M Engineered component alpha
E = Engine
C9AE-9510-M Basic Part number, mostly numeric between 4 and 6 digits,
9510 = carburetor
C9AE-9510-M Engineering version alphanumeric (up to 3 digits but mostly single alpha digit)
M = 13th version of C9AF-9510 carburetor

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.

Model Basic design. The 3rd digit:
XXAX-XXXX-X Generic Full-size Ford
XXCX-XXXX-X Remanufactured part 1966-1975
XXDX-XXXX-X Falcon/Maverick
XXEX-XXXX-X Truck
XXFX-XXXX-X Foreign or Trans Am racing
XXGX-XXXX-X Comet 1961-1967 or Montego 1968-1976
XXHX-XXXX-X Holman Moody Hiperf parts or 1966-1982 Heavy truck
XXJX-XXXX-X Industrial
XXLX-XXXX-X Lincoln
XXMX-XXXX-X Mercury
XXOX-XXXX-X Fairlane(all) and Torino 1967-1976
XXSX-XXXX-X Thunderbird
XXTX-XXXX-X Truck
XXUX-XXXX-X Econoline Club Wagon Van
XXVX-XXXX-X Lincoln
XXWX-XXXX-X Cougar
XXYX-XXXX-X Meteor 62-72 (Canada), Bobcat 75-81
XXZX-XXXX-X Mustang
XX6X-XXXX-X Pantera
Only important or relevant applications are shown in this table

Engineering Component

( the 4th digit from the first group)

The Engineering Component is the 4th digit in the part number and always an alpha letter. It identifies which Ford engineering group designed the part and which major component group it belongs to.

For example, C8AE-8505-H contains the letter E, which identifies this part as an engine component or belonging to the engine division. In fact, this is the part number for a 1968 390-428 Water pump.

Not all Engineering Component letters are meant for a major component group. X is used for special parts, and Y or Z are often used for service parts.

For example, C6OZ-6675-A contains the letter Z, which identifies this part as a Ford service part. In fact, this part is an oil pan meant for Big Block engines and was ordered from Ford with this part number. The original Ford casting number for the oil pan is C6OE-6675-A, which indicates that this oil pan is an engine part belonging to the engine division.

The 4th digit Engineering Component identifier represents the major component group to which the part belongs and/or the Ford division that originally designed the part.

Table 2.2 Engineering Component. The 4th digit.
XXXA-XXXX-X Truck division
XXXC-XXXX-X Body and electrical
XXXE-XXXX-X Engine group
XXXF-XXXX-X General parts, Electrical and Electronic
XXXH-XXXX-X Climate Control
XXXJ-XXXX-X Autolite / Ford parts and Service division
XXXM-XXXX-X Performance vehicle and Holman Moody
XXXP-XXXX-X Automatic Transmission
XXXR-XXXX-X Manual Transmission
XXXU-XXXX-X Axle and Driveshaft
XXXX-XXXX-X Special vehicle parts (muscle parts) or Emissions or Economy
XXXY-XXXX-X Lincoln and Mercury service parts
XXXZ-XXXX-X XXXZ-XXXX-X

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.

Model Basic design. The 3rd digit:
XXXX-XXXX-X
1000-1250 Wheels, Hubs and Drums
2001-2900 Brakes
3000-3764 Front Suspension and Steering
4000-4296 Rear axle
4600-4859 Driveshaft
5000-5176 Frame
5200-5299 Muffler and Exhaust
5300-5499 Front suspension and Stabilizer
5550-5832 Rear springs
6000-6898 Engine base assembly
6905-7997 Transmission and Drivetrain, including Clutch related
8000-8499 Radiator and Grill
8500-8689 Water pump and Fan
9002-9296 Fuel Tank and Supercharger
9301-9420 Fuel pumps
9421-9499 Manifolds and clamps, including intake and exhaust manifolds
9500-9599 Carburetors and Superchargers
9600-9699 Air cleaner
9700-9999 Accelerator, Choke, and Linkage
10000-10449 Generator and Alternator
10500-10576

Battery and Voltage regulator

10838-10990

Instruments

11000-11382

Starter

11450-11688

Lighting and Ignition switch

12000-12425

Ignition coil, Distributor, Condenser, and Spark plugs

13002-14689

Lamps, Horns, and wiring

15000-15858

Miscellaneous accessories

16000-16999

Fenders and Hood

17248-17383

Speedometer and Tach

17402-17666

Windshield wipers and Windshield washer

17700-17999

Mirrors and Bumpers

18000-18125

Shock absorbers

18148-18249

Comfort and Convenience Accessories

18250-18699

Heater

18800 & 18900

Radio & Speakers

19500-19585

Custom accessories

19600-19980

Air conditioning

Credit: MutangTek for this information