What I’ve learned so far is only part of the info I’m looking for. Hopefully someone can help fill in the blanks.
Service part numbers for engines are a little different and with some more info I can decipher exactly what I have. For example;
C5AZ-6211-G
The first section is much the same as a regular part no. C=1960’s 5=1965 A=Galaxie Z=service part. 6211 is a connecting rod bearing. Where it’s different is the suffix. The G is the specific application, in this case Hi-Perf 390/427.
I’ve seen “A” assigned to 289/302 and “C” 351 Cleveland. Unfortunately I can’t find a chart that lists all the possible suffixes and applications they stand for. If anyone knows where to find the rest of the info I would appreciate it.
I have found the that suffix letter doesn’t have a pattern with anything. Typically the -A is assigned to the first drawing or submission from engineering.
Al, I looked up that part number in the Mercury MPC, and it is a connecting rod bearing for a 1965 or 1967 427 engine, with a measurement of 0.0748" and is designated ‘standard’.
Your 1968 Ford installed 427 GT-E engine will need part number C6AZ-6211-A. Ford MPC indicates 0.0758" also ‘standard’.
That’s true with an ordinary part number, but it’s possible that isn’t the case with engine parts. Part numbers appear to have been created so they could be deciphered as to their application. It would make sense that there would be something to designate the engine application for a particular part. Of course this is just conjecture based on things I’ve seen and read online, along with examples that fit that theory.
That part number would seem to refute the theory, but there has to be some other significance to the suffix. Based on numbers from multiple parts that I actually have, it’s highly doubtful that the suffix indicates the incantation of the particular part. They seem more likely to indicate an application.
Revisited this with the help of an electronic version of the MPC. You’re right Scott, I can’t seem to make a correlation between the suffix letter and an application. I did see that the rod bearings above are also listed for 65/69 390,427 “all High Perf. vehicles”. What specifically are they referring to there?
Hi Al,
Maybe I can help you with this a little bit. I manage the parts department at a Ford dealer near where I live and usually I am the one, rightly or wrongly, that people with 1979 and older vehicles are sent to for information on parts for these older vehicles (believe me I don’t ask for it as I’m busy enough, but I help when I can).
With reference to deciphering a Ford part number; you’re bang on with decoding the prefix of the part number. The middle portion is the “basic number” of the total part number. All component basic numbers are the same regardless of the vehicle type. For example, a Basic number of 8005 designates a radiator regardless of vehicle and then the prefix and suffix will help to determine what vehicle model it fits. In this case a 6211 indicates connecting rod bearings. Then the suffix denotes any subsequent changes. Most parts start off with an A or AA as the suffix. When the part changes due to a supplier modification or update, the suffix will change. For example, it may go to AB or BB and so on, depending on the particular vehicle. The suffix also can determine a right hand or left hand part number or with or without a certain option such as with or without wheel opening moldings etc…
In this connecting rod case I found this information. For a '68 427 with non High Performance, part number C6AZ 6211 A is indeed a standard size bearing at .758". Then if the crankshaft has been machined to a smaller size there are select fit bearings available.
C6AZ 6211 B = .001" undersize
C6AZ 6211 C = .002" undersize
C6AZ 6211 D = .010" undersize
C6AZ 6211 E = .020" undersize
C6AZ 6211 F = .030" undersize
C6AZ 6211 G = .040" undersize
Hopefully this helps clear things up for you. Don’t hesitate to contact me for further info Al if you need it.
Thanks for the input Diego. I guess my OCD just wants things to make more sense than they sometimes do. Wouldn’t your job be easier if a service part number for an engine actually included a character for the application? Of course that would have been much more relevant back in the day when a model came with multiple engine options. I guess the guys that printed the parts catalogs had to stay in busy somehow.
Yes Al, makes sense. However an engine fits many applications sometimes so it’s hard to pick which vehicle they want to use the prefix for the part number from. They had to pick one I suppose so from my experience they typically pick the full size Ford or ‘A’ body to generate the part number from in most cases.
I have to say they do try real hard to mess up a perfectly good part numbering system though sometimes!
