Number Matching?

[66Boid]

Greetings,
I own a '66 Hardtop T-Bird.
I am wondering about number matching.
How can I tell that the engine in my T-Bird is the orginal one?
I have heard of "number matching", but I am not sure on what to look for.
Any suggestions to get me started on my "numbers quest"?

Thanks in advance for any help and or advice.

'66 Boid

[Birdman93]

First off, check the VIN to make sure that the engine code on the VIN and the engine match. Z is the 390, Q is the 428.

Then, you should have a tag on the engine itself that has 5 sets of numbers on it. The tag can be found under the coil attaching bolt.

There are 3 sets on the top row:

The first number is engine CID-second number is model year-third number is change level(determines if parts are peculiar to a specific engine)

Along the bottom row will be year and month of production, and the engine code number, which serves the same function as the change level.

This will be as far as you can go in matching the engine to the car-if you have the build sheet for your car, you should be able to determine if the engine is original from the build sheet and the tag.

[65tbirdconv]

Am I right in saying that the motors them self do not have anything stamped on them that ties it to the specific car? Alone from it being the same motor type, 390 etc, if it's the rigth color for the year it's in and has all the CORRECT stuff on it you can not tell the diff?

[Birdman93]

That's correct-other than any particular equipment being peculiar to that year, there are no numbers that will match a specific motor to a specific car, unlike the Corvette.

The new GT WILL be number specific-it follows the same hand-built construction philosophy as the Vette.

[66Boid]

Thanks very much for your replies and advice.
I will have to check my numbers out.

Thanks again!

66Boid

[tbird5866]

You cannot know for sure that the engine is original in the car unless you have lived with it since "day one". Yor can only tell the difference between 390 and 428 by measuring bore and stroke. Engine can be painted any color. Usuall engine tags are missing or can be replaced to suit the owner. The term "matching numbers" does not apply to the older Fords.