Small block ID

[willowbilly3]

I'm dragging home a clapped out 64 Mercury next week to save it from the crusher. I think it's the Fairlane sized one, might be a comet. It has a small block with yellow valve covers. My research came up with a 65 289 being the first yellow valve covers. Is that correct? Could it be a late 64? I just want it for a core to build for a replacement of the 260 in my rpu someday but it would be nice to know what it is.

 

[dmsfrr]

I bought one like that to use the whole drive-train under a free 60's Baja Bug that was hit in the rear axle. Built up a frame to make a sand dragster out of it then someone made me a good offer and it went out the door.

It would be safer to go by the casting number on the engine block.

This is a link to the top of page 8 of a list of casting numbers. Depending on what you have it might be listed on the bottom of pg 7. The pages are short and easy to read.

http://www.castingnumbers.info/site/browse/m/Ford/p/8

 

[willowbilly3]

Thanks, good info. Where is the casting number at on the block? I mostly want to make sure I don't make a 300 mile trip for a 221, guess I won't know until I get there.

 

[JeffB2]

Here is a good picture of what you are looking for: http://www.mre-books.com/interchange/interchange2.html

 

[streetdreams]

221's are white covers, gone by '63 when 260 came out.

 

[scrapiron]

It would not be a 221. I have seen yellow covers on later Comets.

 

[TedEaton]

First double check that the block has five bellhousing bolts and not six. Five bolt blocks used a 3/8-16 bolt while the six bolt blocks used a 7/16-14 bolt. If it has six bolts, it's a later model.

 

[willowbilly3]

Thanks guys. Hopefully it's a 5 bolt. I'm going after it next week.