MTFCA Forum

Has anyone ever found what the dates cast into the early low heads mean? I have some that only have 2 numbers. Like a 10 then 28. Then there are some with one number above the other 2 numbers. Has anyone ever found anything at the Ford research center about these numbers? Thanks Dan

I think most head dates had month and day and a mold #, allthough I have seen before some heads with complete casting dates but can't remember if low or high ones.

Good question guys!
I get confused with identifying the numbers on Cylinder heads also.
As mentioned above, it’s usually month and day. Last week I had a head identified as being cast on September 27.
This is a early Low Head with the casting date visible just above the Ford logo. It’s a true casting number as you can see the
heads of the screws that located the number support. I questioned the fact that the “day” number was changed every 24 hours
and I’m led to believe this was correct. Other items on the head narrowed it down to 1910 or early 11. As the head was found
in the same farm as my November 1910 engine we assumed that it was cast on September 27 1910.
Alan

Posted before from my 13 touring, engine cast date 12-24-12. Bruce's book put engine assembly as 1-24-13 (from memory) so this head could be the original to my engine. Car last registered in 1928 but heads can be changed so take all this for what its worth. This is a low head and the only one I have seen so far but have been told others had seen them.

This is the low head on my 21 Touring. No it’s not correct for a 21 but is a low head I had from a 17 engine.
You can see the casting numbers that’s on it. So the question is what do they mean.
The numbers on the back of the head are 2 3 27. And yes it is a low head.

John: That’s the type of numbers I found on a couple heads. I was thinking if the number on top ( you case that is a 2) might be say a shift number. It does make any sense as a month number.
By the way, I have a couple heads with close month and day numbers that were stamped with the same letters on the gasket surface. As they were inspected by the same guy. Kind of neat. Thanks Dan

Thanks
The head came with a disassembled 17 engine and transmission. And I am assuming it’s from that engine but not 100% sure. To me the numbers on the back of my head look more”modern” than the older low head pictured. I guess we will never know for sure but it’s quite possible the low heads were still in stock at dealerships or were in overrun parts areas in the factories and they were used up till they ran out then the high heads went in production. I don’t think Ford would have melted down the low unused heads but what do I know. Another Model T food for thought I guess.

Here is my late 1911 head: Notice it does NOT have MADE IN USA on it.

Here is a close up of the cast date:
September 2

: ^ )

Keith

Keith.

I agree with you on the day and month of your cylinder head but how do you know it’s a 1911 and not 1910?

Cheers. Alan

That’s a good question. Are there identifying design changes in the script, markings, and generally how the look. Any judging guidelines for brass era cars and the list goes on.

One thing I learned recently, is the earlier low heads have a much more detailed, crisp Ford script than the later low heads. In fact, I'm currently looking for one that is earlier than what I have on the car.

In Judging Guidelines (5 edition) that I have Cylinder Head photos clearly show# 6 with the casting date however photo
# 7 is way to dark to distinguish any features. These two photos apparently describe the 1910, 11 and early 12.
Maybe someone has a better photo of these? Alan

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:48 am

. . . earlier low heads have a much more detailed, crisp Ford script than the later low heads.

That may mean pattern wear unless there are other detail differences between a "crisp" casting and later ones. Can anyone provide some pix for comparison ? Much obliged.

Here is a close up of the script on my supposedly 17 head that’s on my 21 T. The script appears a little different than the earlier head shown. Or so I think it does. It appears there is a loop right above the O. The script appears not as crisp and I don’t think it’s from wear.

I’m not sure what year this head is from but I put it on my 14 since it had a high head when I got it. I don’t know how to look up old threads but it seems like the 1913 heads have Made in USA and square marks, something about the way the metal was poured into the mold and later heads had the round raised areas. The squares were like the one on the intake manifold.