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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:

Code

Meaning

Used 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
B = Buffalo
C = Cleveland (Walton Hills)
D = Dearborn
M = Monroe, MI
W = Woodhaven, OH

"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