I think you're missing the top part of the data plate. From what you've gotten so far, 63 is a 2 door hard top (not sure about the "D"), the "N" and "85" are body and trim codes, "13A" is the production date code, which is January 13th(model year is on the top part your missing), "28" is the district sales office, the first "4" is the axle code = 3.25:1(non-locking I think), the second "4" is the tranny code = C-6 Auto (XPL)1966 only. That's all I can come up with, someone else probably knows alot more than me. Hope it's accurate.LOL.

Hello Mike,Here is the decode of the tag.63D,body style 500GT 2 DR HARDTOP. N paint code,this one was tough because it is not a normal color for a Fairlane in '66 it is shown as Platinum which was a Thunderbird color,if the color is silver "Medium Gray Metalic" it should be a 4. 85, Interior trim RED . 13A, This is the build date, January 13. 28, This is the district which ordered the car , Louisville. 4, Rear axle 3.25 non-locking. 4 , Transmission C6 AUTOMATIC (XPL) This transmission was only available with Fairlane GT in '66 . The car became a GTA when ordered with the automatic. "FairlaneSteve"

Mike Hello Again, Here is some more info that may help. The vin # which is above the numbers you sent decode as follows 1st ,model year . 2nd ,assembly plant. This should be A,R,S,K,H. A-Atlanta ,R-San Jose,S-Pilot plant( Allen Park Michigan ) , K-Kansas City, H-Lorraine Ohio. 3rd &4th body series should be 40 for this car. 5th engine code should be S. The last six numbers are numerical sequence of assembly of the car line at the assembly plate listed in the vin#. The total production for '66 500 GT 2 DR HARDTOP was 33,015 cars this includes stick shift and automatic . The last information I have as to remaining cars is dated 2/97 at that time the count was 1,714 I hope this is helpfull. "FairlaneSteve"

50% by the book, but I've had good success with up to 90% inside.

n/m

I'm having that same dilemma right now. I can tell they are 427 marine motors, but there are no castings in the usual location, and the numbers below the oil line taps don't seem to make any sense

P

Very interested but where are you? I'm in NJ.

Yes interested

Ken,
Those cast iron rocker stands were only used in 406 and 427 engines and because of that are pretty expensive these days. A used set of eight stands can go for $200.00 if you can find some.

There are no low buck roller tip rocker arms. The best replacement arms are made by Harland Sharp and cost about $300.00 a set. They are bronze bushed on the shaft and have a roller tip. They are finish honed to fit on your stock shafts or you can buy their billet shafts for an extra $140.00.

There are tons of different companies offering roller rockers and complete replacement setups for FE's. Probably the easiest and best is to buy the complete setup from Erson. It replaces everything and costs $610.00 from Summit.

Royce Peterson

...make the valve closed all the time, but I have no need for the heater. The wire tie is inconspicuous, so it looks correct.

Regards,
Dan

I *think* all 66 Cyclones had fiberglass hoods. The scoops were not functional though.

Tim B

I just bought a 66 conv. Gt. It has the nonfunctional fiberglass hood. Just over 2,000 made if I remember right. Never heard of them being functional.

To answer your question on production numbers. There were just over 2,000 GT Verts and 13,8xx GT hardtops built in 66

http://jumpthegun.com/cyclone/info/prodnum.HTM

I looked at one yesterday. Knocked out the freeze plugs and saw the biggest gap yet. Block had a 210L date, reverse 105 on the front of the driver side cylinder bank, no casting ID number. It would have been iffy to bore it .030" oversize.

Very few blocks accidentally received thick cores from my observation point. You might save yourself some time by contacting Carl's Ford Parts:

www.carlsfordparts.com

They have some good used 428 blocks in stock.

Royce Peterson

I have a 391 block that passed the "drill" test but failed a sonic check. Core shift often will not be reflected in a drill test. Core shift is the real silent enemy. It may be best to set your sights on a 410-style build-up (390 block, 428 crank), and if you can bore your block .06 over from 4.05 for a 422, consider yourself lucky.

I suppose when the Scat cranks come out, we won't have to worry so much about 4.13" bore blocks for getting cubes.

Thanks for the responses. I know I will sonic test any block I try to rebuild. My son and I spent the morning at a bone yard looking at cores. We looked at about ten until closing time arrived. The last block we found was interesting. Definitely a FE block (right motor mount holes, 352 on back of block, five bolts on valve covers ) but I could not find a casting number on the side of the block. No 352 or 105 on the front either. I had time to pop just one plug on the side and could not fit a 14/64" drill through anywhere! Why do bone yards have to close at noon on Saturdays!

The yardman made a comment that they have at least seven of everything at the yard, even motors out of boats! Now I have visions of finding a 427 block! I could get hooked on pecking through boneyards, almost like treasure hunting!
Rob

the old power company trucks usually had the bigger blocks in the also
i know a friend who hunts them up and has never failed yet being able to bore them out they just seem to have a thicker wall in them than others do it seems
gordon

Does the block have reinforced main webs? Do the rods have capscrews or standard bolts? Bore and stoke might help as well.