65 engine decode

[Bill M.]

I have a 65 that I am trying to decode the engine number.
Code is FOI27HF.
I believe I found that the F is for Flint.
And HF is 300 HP manual, which is correct.
I believe the OI27 is a date code.
Does anyone have a list that identifies that?
Thanks for any help, Bill

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 engine decode

Code is FOI27HF.............I believe the OI27 is a date code.
Does anyone have a list that identifies that? ...

Bill -- if the block has the VIN derivative of the car, ie. 5109283, then the '0127' is January 27th 1965.

[Bill M.]

Re: 65 engine decode

Thanks, That would fit the car is 9057 which is a Feb build.
The stamp sure looks like I instead of 1 but who knows what they used.
It's a one owner original and I know it hasn't been replaced.
Thanks again,
Bill

[Patrick B.]

Re: 65 engine decode

I's were used instead of the number 1 from 1954 to about 1968, and even on the Flint engines 1969 to 1973 I's and 1's were both used, often on the same block.

[David H.]

Re: 65 engine decode

Thank you Bill for your post about dates in Jan="I". Noland's book explains this on page 42.
WOW! I am restoring 9038 right now with OI29 build date HG/fuelie also Feb car on the fith. My question to you is about the trim tag. Is your's A.O. smith or St. Louis? My car is St. Louis and has a G5 for the body build date; what do you have? The JGuide instructs there should be a O in front of the 5--GO5 but Noland's book also explains this as well on page 48 saying that single digit dates may appear as "5" or "O5". David H.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 engine decode

. Is your's A.O. smith or St. Louis? My ['65] car is St. Louis and has a G5 for the body build date; what do you have? The JGuide instructs there should be a O in front of the 5--GO5 but Noland's book also explains this as well on page 48 saying that single digit dates may appear as "5" or "O5". David H.

David -- could be either way; here's a tag from an early car '65 # 01497. My car is a little earlier on the same day and also has D6 (Nov 6th).

[Bill M.]

Re: 65 engine decode

Thank you Bill for your post about dates in Jan="I". Noland's book explains this on page 42.
WOW! I am restoring 9038 right now with OI29 build date HG/fuelie also Feb car on the fith. My question to you is about the trim tag. Is your's A.O. smith or St. Louis? My car is St. Louis and has a G5 for the body build date; what do you have? The JGuide instructs there should be a O in front of the 5--GO5 but Noland's book also explains this as well on page 48 saying that single digit dates may appear as "5" or "O5". David H.

Sorry I haven't logged back on for awhile.
I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. Here is a picture of my trim tag.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 engine decode

....I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. Here is a picture of my trim tag.

Bill -- I've taken the liberty of zooming in and brightening the area of the trim tag date code. Looks like a "G" (space) "1" on a Dow-Smith body.

So, continuing on David's line, the zero is not there, but on the other hand, the "1" is not right next to the "G".

Seems that many of the C2 judging guides do not describe these possible (yet valid) formats.

[Jim D.]

Re: 65 engine decode

Wayne,

My April 1 65 AO Smith car is exactly like the picture above. I space 1.
I can post a pic. if needed.