Diamond Engine

[MALAK]

First let me say thanks to Vince @ fordgarage.com. He's got some great info there.

I just picked-up an engine which initially I thought was a Feb 31 based on the SN that was presented me before I purchased it. Once I got it home and did a closer inspection it turns out it's a diamond block, with a very clear date code. Also, after cleaning off the SN pad it became apparent there is no ★A(A) prefix or ★suffix. In other words just the number.

Since it seems probable this was a replacement engine. My question is was it common for a dealer to omit the ★A(A)number★? Or is this not a replacement engine but one that just happens to have a SN that fits the Ford numbering scheme? Or perhaps the mechanic who was installing the engine was only concerned about the numbers or too lazy to stamp the characters? Or????

 

[CarlG]

My engine is a diamond block. It was stamped rather crudely, I might add, but it did have the A prefix, but did not have the star at either end.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

If you look at originally stamped engines, you will see they are usually stamped in a very straight line across the upper section of the pad. Also note the font is different on your stamping. My venture would be that the shop that stamped yours only had the typical 9 stamp set (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) which means they did not have the A nor the ★.

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[MALAK]

Thanks guys.

I have another diamond block, w/SN, but the SN is obviously not Ford. As I thought about this it seemed reasonable to me that if it was a Ford dealer who replaced/installed the engine they would have had the proper stamp set but as I thought about this more it seemed just as reasonable they wouldn't.

So, from the 2 replies so far it appears this was a common practice to leave off the star and/or A.