Okay call me stupid but I'm trying to find out what people mean when they say C code or A code when trying to sell their car! I have a '66 convertible and how do I find out what mine is?
Don't make fun of me!!!
Thanks guys.

 

These code letters are the 5th character of your VIN. This series of numbers and letters is found stamped into your fender apron and your door data tag. Each letter or number of your VIN represents some piece of information: the plant it was made in, the year of its production, etc. The 5th character is the one that indicates what engine originally came in your car. A C-code is a 289 with a 2 bbl. carb. An A-code is a 289 with a 4 bbl., and so on.

FYI: You'll confuse most of us if you tell us to call you stupid and then say to not make fun of you in the same post!

 

Go out to your car, and write down the numbers from your data plate which is located on the driver's door and on the driver's side inside fender apron, Then use this decoder to determine exactly what you have.
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/students/Blommel/
If you have a 2 barrel carb, you will have a C code engine, a 4 barrel will indicate either an A code or a K code. Internal differences are not easily seen, but the K code is by far the most desirable engine. HiPo (High Performance) heads have machined valve spring seats, screw-in rocker arm studs, and solid rocker arms (versus the rail-type that became available in 1966).
Contrary to popular belief, the valve sizes (1.67" intake < 8/65, 1.78"
after; 1.54" exhaust) were the same as any other 289 - underscoring the
potential of any 289 to perform at a much higher level. The lifters were
mechanical and thus required adjustment.

The block is made of a more nodular iron, with a higher nickel content.
Many of them had an orange dot on the front so that the assembly line
workers could identify them. Inside the block is beefier main caps, and
stronger rods - in fact the same ones used in the Boss 302 motor.

The alternator had a larger pulley (3-7/8").
The harmonic balancer (aka crank damper) larger - 1-13/16" thick versus 1"
for std. 289s.
The distributor was a dual point design with no vacuum advance.
The exhaust manifold looked like shorty headers in cast iron, and it has a dual exhaust system.
The clutch Z-bar (bellcrank) is different and looks bent vs the std. 289
Z-bar - due to the hipo exhaust system.
The fan blade had riveted on squarish blades vs the std. 2-piece design.
The carburetor was an Autolite 4100 (rectangular) for 1964-1966 with 1.12"
venturis - versus 1.08 in the non-HiPo version.
1967 HiPos used an Autolite 4300D (rounder).
The air cleaner was chromed with an open element
Early cars had plain chromed valve covers (63-65), 65-66 cars had aluminum
finned "Cobra" (hollow letter) covers. 67's were aluminum "Cobra" (solid
letter) covers with black krinkle paint.

Cars that came equipped with a HiPo got a 9" rear, and either a toploader
or C4 tranny. "A" code engines have a 4 barrel carb but only a single exhaust system.


Hope this helps!

Oh, and there are no stupid questions here in the Classic section. We all started from scratch at one time or another, so ask away.

 

Thank you guys! And thank you for not calling me stupid. But now I know I have C and I know what it is!

 

Anytime you want to heat up that 289 C code to get more Horsepower, let us know.