Decode exhaust manifold

Dutch Vickie

Dutch Vickie

Member
Hello there,

Can someone decode the number on my left exhaust manifold.
ECH-9431-A
I already know that 9431-A means "left (driverside) exhaust manifold".
What does "ECH" stand for?

greetings,
 
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Yes it's the standard left side exh manifold for a '55 or '56 'full-sized' car with dual exhaust.
I'm not at all sure what ECH is the code letters for. If I had to guess it's somehow related to the type/year/model(?) of engine & vehicle it was originally designed for. But only because I had a '54 Mercury 256 engine and the block, heads and intake casting numbers all began with EBY.

As various compatible original parts were used on following year Y-block engines their casting numbers didn't change. So different combinations of prefix lettered parts commonly appeared on engines in subsequent years.
Similar parts that required a slight modification or a new design were either given a new suffix letter or a new 3 letter prefix (for redesign).

Apologies, the chart got smaller than I expected when uploaded. I was able to zoom in much better with a smartphone than my laptop.
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ECH is the Ford parts casting/engineering number for (mainly) 55 engine parts.


Part numbers are different.
 
Ford started the new casting number system in 1952 with the EAB, EAC cylinder heads and it just continued to branch out during the 1950s. Keep in mind, this was limited to foundry items for the most part. The part number system was also changed so they could reflect the decade and the year of design change. Ford still uses a similar system but it's even more complicated now.
 
dmsfrr said:
..this link http://www.ford-y-block.com/Block identification.htm
Click to expand...
I looked at the link and it is very helpfull.
But now I'm even more confused...:confused:
The exhaust manifold has casting starting with ECH, according to the link it's a 292 ci.
The engine has casting starting with ECG, according to the link it's a 272 ci????

But the internet says the size of the exhausts valves are the same diameter (1,51"')
The left (driver side) manifold is cracked so I'm looking for a replacement and I want to make sure what is the right one. (not de direction :D)

greetings
 
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ECG is the correct prefix for a 55-57 272. block


Where to get the "correct" manifold, got to find a parts car or some dumb luck in finding some one with it.


If you belong to yblocks forever you can start there. And post a wanted ad here


If you are on to Facebook, there is a Yblock site there that may help you
 
You can get them brand new from vendors..or...time for a vacation with a really big suitcase. Outside of the casting letters, I don't think they changed much if at all from 272-312-think.

Mike
 
As far as 54 to 56, there was little change in the exhaust manifolds, but there may have been subtle changes to warrant a change for the casting #'s, especially in the 55 & 56 YEARS.. In 57, Ford came out with completely new set that had bigger ports and a bigger collector. It is noted by the flat top of the manifold. Not sure that the trucks used this style. I believe that the 57 style was used in the later years, but, again, not sure about the trucks


1930artdeco said:
You can get them brand new from vendors..or...time for a vacation with a really big suitcase. Outside of the casting letters, I don't think they changed much if at all from 272-312-think.

Mike
Click to expand...
 
The big change was the later & larger head/intake port sizes. Ford was constantly changing things in that time frame. Some changes were small but any change can affect fit of year specific items.

A lot of folks changed out the smaller CID engines with the later 292 & 312 types. A person needs to find Y-block fans. We used to look in Hemming's for that stuff or go to the older salvage yards but those are getting harder to find now days. John's Salvage south of Seguin and Bob Owen's yard up in Wellington, TX are good calls for folks in my neck of the woods.
 
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