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Old 01-10-2013, 07:22 PM   #5
Keith Seymore
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,285
Re: engine code on my 87 ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by scabby9 View Post
Is it possible that there could be a code for engines sold from the dealer as crate engines? the last 3 letters are to determine the type of vehicle it belongs in i believe.
No. The codes are to help the assembly line operator. If the engine is a crate or service replacement put in at the dealership there is no need for the code.

Further detail: let's say you order a 350 cu in engine. There is one base part for a 350, but it proliferates on Auto vs manual trans, a/c vs no a/c and California emissions vs Federal.

So there would be eight part numbers within that one engine family (there would probably be this many variations for v6, for 305 cu in, for 454 cu in and diesel as well):

12345678 350 cu in manual no a/c Fed
12345679 350 cu in manual w a/c Fed
12345680 350 cu in auto no a/c Fed
12345681 350 cu in auto a/c Fed
12345682 350 cu in manual no a/c Calif
12345683 350 cu in manual a/c Calif
12345684 350 cu in auto no a/c Calif
12345685 350 cu in auto a/c Calif

An assembly plant broadcast code would be assigned to each part number:

TAA 12345678 350 cu in manual no a/c Fed
TAB 12345679 350 cu in manual w a/c Fed
TAC 12345680 350 cu in auto no a/c Fed
TAD 12345681 350 cu in auto a/c Fed
TAE 12345682 350 cu in manual no a/c Calif
TAF 12345683 350 cu in manual a/c Calif
TAG 12345684 350 cu in auto no a/c Calif
TAH 12345685 350 cu in auto a/c Calif

So the operator goes over to a bay that is full of racks and racks of engines (probably more than you've ever seen in one place in your entire life). You can tell him which one to choose, via the build manifest, and he can remember that he needs an "AF", instead of trying to remember 123455683, or manual/AC/California emissions, since he will do this nearly 500 times in one day.

K
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