How to Read FoMoCo Date Codes

Original Ford glass, sheet metal and other parts were usually date coded in one of several formats. To perform the most accurate restoration on your classic Ford, you should use parts manufactured reasonably near and prior to the build date of your car.
Here's a brief guide to Ford date codes, as they would appear on a series of hypothetical parts manufactured at Dearborn during the 3rd Work Shift on 14 February 1966:

CodeMeaningUsed On
14 Feb 66
Plain Date Stamp Heater Motor (Ink Stamp)
Feb 14 1966
Plain Date Stamp Alternator (Ink Stamp)
14B
"14" = Date
"B" = Month:
     A or N = Jan
     B or P = Feb
     C or Q = Mar
     D or R = Apr
     E or S = May
     F or T = Jun
     G or U = Jul
     H or V = Aug
     J or W = Sep
     K or X = Oct
     L or Y = Nov
     M or Z = Dec
Data Plate
B14
Reversed from above
     (Letters A-M only)
Sometimes seen on Build Tag
(aka "Body Buck Tag")
6F14B
"6" = 1966
"F" = Mustang
"14B"-See Above
Horn (Ink Stamp)
6B14
"6" = 1966
"B" = Feb
"14" = Date
Heater Core
6B14C
"6" = 1966
"B" = Feb
"14" = Date
"C" = Work Shift
     (A-C = 1st-3rd Shift)
Power Steering Pump Tag
Steering Gear Tag
Transmission Tag
6B14Q
"6" = 1966
"B" = Feb
"14" = Date
"Q" = Inspector's Code Letter (A-Z)
Engine Block
6B
"6" = 1966
"B" = Feb
Glass (Lower LH of "Carlite")
Engine Tag
6BC
Same, plus:
"C" = 3rd Week of Month
(A-E = 1st-5th Week)
Carburetor
Distributor
Rear Axle
Radiator (Some)
F6BC
Same, preceded by:
"F" = Mustang(?)
May also be a Manufacturing Plant Code.
(Some other codes seen: "Y" or " "(Blank))
Heater Box (Ink stamp)
Heater Plenum (Ink stamp)
6MB
"6" = 1966
"M"(Large) = Supplier ("M" - Motor Wheel Corp, Michigan)
"B" = Feb
Wheels (stock steel rims)
2 14 D 3
2 14 3
"2" = Feb (1-12 = Jan-Dec)
"14" = Date
"D" = Location (opt):
     A = Chicago, IL
     B = Buffalo, NY
     C = Cleveland (Walton Hills), OH
     D = Dearborn, MI
     M = Monroe, MI
     W = Woodhaven, MI

"3" = 3rd Shift
Sheet Metal
Hinges
2-66
2 66
"2" = Feb (See Above)
"66" = 1966
Latches
Radiator
8-66
"8" = 8th Week
"66" = 1966
Seat Belts
2/66
"2" = 2nd Quarter
"66" = 1966
Clamps
Belts
026x
"02" = February (01-12 = Jan-Dec)
"6" = 1966
x = Unknown (Poss A-Z may appear here, or blank(?))
York A/C Compressor

Much of this information is drawn from the January 1992 issue of "Mustang Monthly".
Thanks also to Jeff Speegle for Engine Block information from Ford TSB 1026, and David McCracken for the Steel Wheel coding.
Thanks to Tom Stillings for clarifying the location of the Woodhaven plant.
This chart is not all-inclusive, and alternate interpretations may exist for some formats listed.
If you have any questions, additional or conflicting information regarding Ford date coding, you are welcome to E-mail me at djhamma@aloha.net


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