I've got an engine, transmission, and rear end from a Mustang, but I'm unsure of the year. The story goes that the car was fully restored, and while it was at the body shop getting finished, it burned up.

I have the bumpers from it indicating that it is a first generation mustang, right now I believe it was a 69.

The engine is a small block, and says "Cobra" on the valve covers and has a oval shaped air cleaner also marked Cobra, with a Holley carburetor as well. Oh yeah, 6 bolt valve covers too.

From that description, does anyone have a clue what the engine might be, and what it was from exactly?

Where can I find the correct markings to identify it?

I'm used to dealing mostly with small block Chevys and Chryslers.

Btw, my Mustang is a 1966 coupe with a 289 V8. It was parked 30 years ago and is 100% original except for the paint and wheels (I have the factory hub caps however.)

 

The casting number will be near the starter on the block.

 

There should be a casting number where the starter bolts up, Getting this number would greatly help in Identifying what the engine is.

Under the valve cover I believe is a casting of what the engine is: 289, 302 so forth... That should tell you as well.

The thing about your air cleaner and valve covers is this, they make reproductions with Cobra on them, just by saying it says that on them, doesn't nessicerily help with identifying it.

*EDIT* Darn got to it before I did! *Was making sure I knew what I was saying before I clicked submit*

 

Unfortunately, your description is of common dress-up items available from Ford (and elsewhere) from 1965 until now, and any engine from 1963 up through the current 5.0 "crate motors" will accept these items, so the casting codes on major components are your best chance.

 

There should also be a small machined pad on the block with the assembly date stamped in it.

If facing the engine the pad is on the right side, on the block just above where the furthest right waterpump bolt enters the block.

It should read something like:

6M22F.

1966, December 22. (F= Dearborn I think.)

 

Well the valve covers appear to be probably as old as the engine, and also say "powered by Ford" underneath the Cobra so I was hoping there was some kind of package that came with the dress up kit.

 

Just remove the starter, and look at the casting number directly above where the starter is. Those dress-up items tell nothing about when the engine was made. You could take the highest resolution pics ever of the valve covers/air cleaner, and they still wouldn't tell anyone anything of when the engine was made. You have to get the casting number to get real info.