The 3-character code identified the engine series and size/rating. It was replaced in 1959 when FORD went to the more familiar three and four character PN PREFIX ID SYSTEM.
I started a few years ago to break them down but ran out of research materials (WSM mostly).
Here is a brief example -
-1950’s FORD ENGINE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS –
Beginning in 1952, FORD ENGINEERING began to identify their new engine families - I6 (1952) – LYB (intro 1952) – FYB (intro 1954) with a three/four-character code. These codes were also used as engine component CASTING ID CODES.The first character E identified the ID NUMBER as ENGINE. The second character identified the first model year usage, and the third character identified the exact engine (along with any PN SUFFIX).
EA - 1952
EB - 1954
EC - 1955-1956
ED - 1957-1958
B9AE - 1959
All BLOCKS have 6015 in the block casting number. This is found on all blocks and is FORD's ENGINEERING BASIC PN for an engine block - Example- EDB-6015-E
BLOCK I.D.CODES
CEBY - 256-272 CI Cast in Canada. Export block. Used in Canada,Australia, South Africa
CECK - 292 CI - Cast in Canada. Export block. Used in Canada,Australia ect
EAA - 215 cu. in. I-6 1952-53 Ford OHV six cylinder. Increased to 223in '54.
ETC -
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