Reply to "casting numbers?"

Dennis,

I assume this is a 4V head with the number 4 cast into the upper corners. You are probably misreading D8ZE, it is probably D3ZE. It decodes this way:

D = decade of the 1970s
3 = 1973
Z = part designed for Mustangs
E = part designed by the engine/powertrain engineering group

If this were a D8ZE casting, indicating 1978, then the date code would indicate it was cast in 1982, not 1972. However, the Z in the casting number would be out of place, as the 335 series motors were not intended for Mustangs in that era. The only 335 series motors in production in 1978 (or 1982 for that matter) were 351M & 400 motors. The heads for those motors have no numbers cast into the corners.

The 3 digit date code of 2J2 indicates somebody in the casting plant was lazy that day and left off a digit! Ha, ha, ha ..... It could be 02, or it could just as well be 20, 21, 22 ... 29. It is sufficient to know the head was cast in September 1972, and was therefore intended for a 1973 model Ford (or Pantera). This confirms you are misreading the casting number.

I'm really showing my Ford NERDINESS aren't I?

aloha from your friend on the DTBB