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Original Message
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| M code? |
| By Mike McQuesten - 09/04/2001 1:10:32 PM; IP 206.193.0.120 |
Mel Walker got me to checking on what an M code was.He recommended that I find Ford published, Shop Tips, Vol. 11, No. 2. Thanks to John Saxon, I have it in hand. Mel was asking if anyone knew of an M code '64. I'd never heard of one. So here's what a little research has found: M code cars for '66 and '67 were 410 Mercurys. Only the full size Mercs of those two years got the 410. Which most know to be a 390 bore with 428 crankshaft. Unique pistons, etc. But as for an M code anything else in those years, nothing.
This Shop Tips goes back to '63. For '63 there is an M code - 6V Special 390. I believe this is the very rare '63 Thunderbird option that featured a warmer hydraulic cam, not as warm as the GT/CJ C6OZ-B cam, with tri power intake. This was the unique "flat" intake manifold.
Now this gets interesting, actually weird for '64. There is a M code listed with CID (Cubic Inch Dimension) to be 396. Right, the Chevy guys slipped money to the typist. What give with this?
So, John also had an older Shop Tips, Volume 5, No. 2, October 1966 printing. It goes back to '61 on VIN data reading. First M code is for '62 which is the early production tri power 390 HP with 401 horse. This is a carry over engine from '61. But don't be thinkin' there were any '61 Fords built with an M code. That's another story. There ain't any! Okay, then for '63, there's an M code, which again is the 6V special, T-bird special option again. Let's now look at the list for 1964....what?! There's no M code 396! Weird and whacky stuff huh?
I do know this little tid bit. NASCAR initially banned the 427 Ford in 1966 Fairlanes/Comets. That would give Ford too much advantage over GM remember? Ford started off the year with the Galaxies and 427s. But then the Fairlanes came into the picture and whoa....can't be doin' that! So someone got the bright idea to build a 427 block with a 361 crank and voila, you got a Ford/Merc 396! So there were some running in mid to late '66 on NASCAR tracks. But then NASCAR relented and allowed the 427 in the Fairlane for '67. I know of no 396 FE's ever released for consumer use.
So what was the '64 396? My opinion is....and it's a guess too, is that it's a misprint. Or, was it the fabled tri power 390 option of '64?
Any ideas? |
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