Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

[Michael J.]

My low mile L84 '64 is being restored mechanically and cosmetically (in some places), and as the engine was pulled and partially disassembled (it has never been out of the car or disassembled before), careful attention was paid to stripping of paint so any marks could be seen. A scribbled "RF" was seen on the block below the heads on the passenger side, looks like it was under the paint. On the back of the heads, these chalk marks were seen just above the paint. One looks like "RF", the other is a number, maybe "137". Any idea what that number means? Thanks.

[Rick A.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Michael - thinking out loud here - possibly the job number for the car????????

[Loren L.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

One is probably a "confirmation ID" for the assembled motor and the other # is probably that of an inspector.

[Jim D.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

My low mile L84 '64 is being restored mechanically and cosmetically (in some places), and as the engine was pulled and partially disassembled (it has never been out of the car or disassembled before), careful attention was paid to stripping of paint so any marks could be seen. A scribbled "RF" was seen on the block below the heads on the passenger side, looks like it was under the paint. On the back of the heads, these chalk marks were seen just above the paint. One looks like "RF", the other is a number, maybe "137". Any idea what that number means? Thanks.

The "RF" should be on both sides of the block under the paint. One head should have the engine suffix and the other, I believe, is a job number. Here's my 65.

[Duke W.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

RF is the engine code for the FI engine - same as the suffix on the Flint stamp.

One piece of important evidence in determining whether the heads have ever been off is head gasket thickness. The Flint-installed steel shim gasket is .018", thick, but beginning in the '63-'64 time frame the OTC replacement gasket was .026" thick.

I hope you didn't throw the head gaskets away. What's the measured thickness?

Are you doing a complete overhaul or just refreshing the heads?

Duke

[Peter H.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

HELLO MICHAEL ... IS THIS THE ENGINE FOR THAT RIVERSIDE RED CAR YOU ARE RESTORING ? PETER 63 RED/RED COUPE ..CANADIAN GUY....GLAD YOUR HOME SAFE AND SOUND.....KEEP IN TOUCH...

[Michael J.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

I still have the original head gaskets, we replaced them with a .002 thicker than original set, so the compression ratio is about 11, I think. Not a complete overhaul, just replacing bearings, rings, lifters, valve springs and valve guides, with valve seats refurbished. Everything else remains the originals, including the cylinder walls, block surfaces, and head surfaces which were not touched, just cleaned. They were all in excellent shape after 27K+ miles. But an overly rich FI system really made the whole innards carboned up and required cleaning.

[Michael J.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

The "RF" should be on both sides of the block under the paint. One head should have the engine suffix and the other, I believe, is a job number. Here's my 65.

Thanks, I'll look on the other side of the block, it is all very faint and hard to photograph. I am wondering about a job number vs. an inspector number, as Loren suggested. I jam picturing these engines stacked on racks, back side out, and this, I think, would have been scribbled on them at that time, before they got into a car with a job number, unless they were pre-designated on the engine rack for a specific car, which could be I guess.

[Michael J.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

HELLO MICHAEL ... IS THIS THE ENGINE FOR THAT RIVERSIDE RED CAR YOU ARE RESTORING ? PETER 63 RED/RED COUPE ..CANADIAN GUY....GLAD YOUR HOME SAFE AND SOUND.....KEEP IN TOUCH...

Peter, this is for my white/saddle tan tanker we talked about, shown here. Glad you made it home safe and the car performed so well on the road trip to the National. Hope you enjoyed that as much as we did, Judy sends her regards, and maybe you can make San Antonio?

[Jim D.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Thanks, I'll look on the other side of the block, it is all very faint and hard to photograph. I am wondering about a job number vs. an inspector number, as Loren suggested. I jam picturing these engines stacked on racks, back side out, and this, I think, would have been scribbled on them at that time, before they got into a car with a job number, unless they were pre-designated on the engine rack for a specific car, which could be I guess.

An inspection number seems more logical.

[Tony S.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Here's a photo that has been passed around. This is from the 1965 production line. Look at the back of both heads: H L. It corresponds to the engine suffix code.

[Michael J.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Thanks, I guess in '65 they were putting the engine suffix on both sides, unlike '64 when it was only on one side.

[Jim D.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

Thanks, I guess in '65 they were putting the engine suffix on both sides, unlike '64 when it was only on one side.

I wouldn't put money on it. My 65 had never been touched prior to my doing the restoration. I've seen several original examples that are the same as your 64 & my 65 ie: suffix on one side and a number on the other.

[Michael J.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

That is even more interesting, wonder why it would vary?

[Jim D.]

Re: Markings on rear of heads on a '64 fuelie

That is even more interesting, wonder why it would vary?

I have no idea. The picture Tony posted is the first and only example I've ever seen that varied from the format of suffix on one and number on the other.