Decoding Ford Part Numbers

Ford Part Numbers and Casting Numbers, what do they mean?

Those big long part numbers that you find cast onto some of your parts or that you see while shopping on line at mustangparts.averagejoerestoration.com do serve a purpose other than ordering or checking inventory. The numbers reveal information about what decade and year the part was produced, what vehicle line it was designed for and what engineering department designed it.

Some people are often perplexed by the length of some of these numbers and wonder why they have to be so long, the reason is simple; there is a lot of parts on a Mustang and some of those parts were also shared with the Falcon, Fairlane, and Cougar just to name a few.

All parts have a base number that indicates what the part is and they typically utilize this base number throughout the various years makes and models. For instance this master cylinder part number C5ZZ-2140-CR contains the base number 2140 and if you use the base number to search for parts at mustangparts.averagejoerestoration.com it would return all of the master cylinders available.

If you are having a tough time finding a part for your Mustang and see a similar part available for another Mustang use the base number to search for the part, you just might find what you are looking for.

Decoding Mustang Part Numbers

As an example the master cylinder part number C5ZZ-2140-CR will be used to demonstrate the part number breakdown.

  • The first two digits indicate the decade and the year (C5)
  • The third digit indicated the vehicle line (Z)
  • The fourth digit indicates the engineering group (Z)
  • The center digits after the dash is the base part number (2140)
  • the last digits are the revision number, “A” being the first revision “B” the second revision and so on. (CR)
C5ZZ-2140-CR
C Decade of Manufactured = 1960
5 Year within the Decade = ’65
Z Vehicle Line = Mustang
Z Engineering Department = Ford Service Part
2140 Base Part Number = Master Cylinder
CR Revision Change = Manual Disc Brakes

Decade Manufacture Code

Code Decade Manufactured
A 1940
B 1950
C 1960
D 1970
E 1980
F 1990
E 2000

Vehicle Line Code

Code Vehicle Line
A Ford full size
D Falcon
E Escort
F Pinto, Maverick, Falcon
G Early Comets, Montego, Cyclone
H Medium/Heavy Duty Truck
K Edsel
L Lincoln Mark VII
M Mercury
O Fairlane
R Capri
S Thunderbird
T Pick-up Truck or Bronco
U Econoline Van
V Lincoln
W Cougar
Z Mustang

Engineering Department Code

Code Department
A Chassis
B Body
E Engine
F Engine Accessories
J Autolite (67-72)
P Auto Transmission
R Manual Transmission
W Axle
X Muscle Parts Program
Y Lincoln/Mercury Service Parts
Z Ford Service Parts

Decoding Dates

Date codes are sometimes included on parts such as the engine block and exhaust manifolds.

  • The first digit is the year; to determine the decade, refer to the part number’s prefix.
  • The second digit is the month.
  • The third digit is the day of the month
Code Month
A January
B February
C March
D April
E May
F June
G July
H August
J September
K October
L November
M December

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4 thoughts on “Decoding Ford Part Numbers

  1. Nice work, very helpful
    Jesse Aguilar — June 14, 2009 4:10 PM

    I have a wiper module that is a component of US Army Design Combat Vehicle. Module is defective and need replacement. Please provide info with source availability and cost.
    Your immediate attention to this request is greatly appreciated.
    Please I-D Wiper Module as below:
    10018055 REV A
    MFR 65648
    S/N L1800
    Thank You
    Gary W. Hitch
    US Army, RDECOM-RDCB-DEE
    Industrial Specialist
    Teledyne Brown Engieering
    443.417.5660
    E-Mail: [email protected]
    gary w. hitch PH: 443.417.5660 — September 16, 2009 9:25 AM
    Hello i just picked up a 1962 ford custom cab
    I don’t believe the motor is original The casting reads c5ae9425b what can u tell me about this engine and how do i go about finding out if its a 352 429 460 ect.
    Carl daniels — June 19, 2010 8:10 PM

    I have trouble finding a window motor replacement
    Tina Sterling — May 19, 2011 3:03 PM

    Please up date this info to show current years and models.
    Bill Miller — September 16, 2011 6:14 AM

    Im having trouble finding an inner tie rod end for my 58 edsel villager.i would like the original part number or another car that had the same tie rods so i could look it up as a different make.
    Jimmy DeSaint — September 27, 2011 10:51 PM

    I am having trouble figuring out. what my motor size is the numbers on the block say 5E22 or 5ES2 can u help
    kory — July 25, 2012 6:08 PM

    I have an African cylinder head casting I’m tryin to decode to locate a head here to work on. The casting number is 82HM699 68
    Shotties Porting Service — October 18, 2012 11:12 AM

    I have what appears to be a bezel in Gorgeous condition! The part # indicates Edsel (K), but the year doesn’t make sense. Also, I haven’t been able to visually id the part with any Edsel pics I’ve seen. Part #C1KF-13502-B. ALSO #HL 26821-F3-LH. Any info would be appreciated. I can send pics if needed.
    Paul Famularo — August 27, 2013 6:55 PM

  2. Hi,

    My father passed away a few years ago and left me with his 64 1/2 Mustang Convertible 200 6 cylinder. He restored it from the ground up and it looks just like it rolled off the San Jose show room floor. He had showed it in several car shows and won several awards. It has been setting idle for a few years and when I went to start it up it would not fire. Everything works on it… all the electrical, battery, fuel pump… etc. I primed the carb and it started just a little but then just kept turning but no fire. A friend told me that it might be the carb jets are plugged and to use a carb spray to see it that helped. I was wondering what you might have to say or offer me to try. I have done everything I know and would like to get it back into the “show business” but need to get it running to get it out of the garage and work on other things like brakes and stuff. Any help would be appreciated.

    Thank you,

    Michael McMurtry
    Cell # 909-285-6542

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