67 gt 500 assembly date vs ford build date vs shelby completion date

[clint67]

what are the typical timeline for engine assembly date to the ford build date? 
would it be possible that an engine assembly stamp / date be 13 days prior to the ford build date?
like for example:
engine assembly stamp date D6
ford actually built 4/19/67
Shelby build completed 4/28/67

[Road Reptile]

Hi Clint,
First we need to know where you have sourced the dates from. The time window of part production of sub assemblies to assembly of car is based on several factors and can change as production gets completely up to speed. With so many cars produced in 1967 it was critical to have the process as perfect as possible. This often shows a narrow window or shorter time gap for major parts. Just imagine 472,000 plus Mustangs all being complete running cars and you start to comprehend what must take place to make it coordinate. For your car in particular it would be nice to compare it with others built in the same dso group. I think more attention should be given to date codes and they are critical to prove how "Genuine" a car is.
R.R.

[clint67]

Dso info attached

[J_Speegle]

what are the typical timeline for engine assembly date to the ford build date? 
would it be possible that an engine assembly stamp / date be 13 days prior to the ford build date?
like for example:

Firstly I'm going to be using casting dates to compare since I have a much larger collection of those (bigger and better survey) Assembly dates are more difficult to see, often covered with a new coat of paint and easier to remake while on big blocks easier to see than on a small block. Not to say than an original assembly date is not a better indicator casting date but just looking for a bigger pool of data to try and help out.

Remember that after being built these engines had to wait in some cases for a rail car and train heading west, travel across the country, stop at the Richmond depot where the rail car was redirected to the car plant where they were inventoried before they got to the line. Time of year, weather and sometimes holidays could and often did create delays or just taking a little longer.

Looking quickly at the data I have I would offer that I found the "typical" (through the whole production period) time between big block engine (block castings) being cast and it being installed at San Jose I found was between 31 and 72 days. Based on the data I've collected and recorded at this time

Now since, thanks for that, you provided information about when your specific car was completed that period had a shorter span between engine assembly and being installed so the typical span was closer to about 30-50 days I found.

Are you attempting to confirm if an engine in a car could be the original or are you looking for engine to find and buy an "acceptable" replacement?  Makes a difference in the discussion. PM if you don't want to share in public

In either case hope this helps

[Bob Gaines]

what are the typical timeline for engine assembly date to the ford build date? 
would it be possible that an engine assembly stamp / date be 13 days prior to the ford build date?
like for example:
engine assembly stamp date D6
ford actually built 4/19/67
Shelby build completed 4/28/67

Logistically you would have a hard time making the case for 13 days from engine being assembled at the Dearborn MI engine plant and then moved to loading area and loaded on a rail car to move across the country to the Jose CA where is is unloaded and moved to engine installation station at the assembly plant for installation into a car IMO. Consequently 13 days is on the improbable tight side and would not be considered within the typical spectrum between engine assembly and Ford car build date IMO. If you are confusing the engine block casting date with the engine assembly date it would be even more improbable.

[Road Reptile]

Hi Clint,
Thanks for the DSO info. Turns out a car in that group is one familiar to me. It has had many different engines over the years so it would not help us with dates. Current engine is a killer 427 Tunnel port. Hope Jeff's survey results show a good example of what is normally expected. 30-72 days
Seems very realistic. Also remember these engines had a big warranty history so it is another reason dates are important. Agree 100% with Bob on such a narrow window not "normally seen" Do you know any history that is documented? It may hold important clues.
R.R.