GT350/R Engine Build Date codes

[Revan9]

@Revan9 I got the same weird case.... (I am from Germany and was thinking about buying my first gt350) the owner sent me this picture...after I asked for it...

The weird thing is it's first car registration was in 2017, the engine was build (if I am right) on the 26th of October 2016 and the label says FA ....so a MY15?!?

How is this possible? @GT350-H6088 do you maybe have an idea?

Thank you so much guys ;)

(Sadly in Germany the gt350's are really expensive 🫣)

Someone give us an explanation, I think about this from time to time is my car really a 2015

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[The Chairman]

The sticker is missing on my 350R. Does anyone know if the block or heads have codes stamped or cast? If the sticker is gone, how do we know what's up?

If your car has the original engine, the VIN is etched into the block on the bottom skirt, just above the oil pan. Just in front of the bell housing on the driver’s side:

 

[nmp1]

The sticker is missing on my 350R. Does anyone know if the block or heads have codes stamped or cast? If the sticker is gone, how do we know what's up?

 

[SilverSerpent]

My engine is currently getting replaced and I was going to compare the tags based on posted information. The tag is different on the new engine though so I thought it might be useful to people here.

For those curious: My '17 had 25,000 miles when I brought it in for consumption test. Dealer asked me to perform six consecutive 500 mile tests. I was burning 1-2 quarts per 500 miles. After the last test, warranty company asked them to borescope the engine. Tech found a decent amount of bore scoring (with pictures.)

 

[LR170Shelby350R]

Since the replacement engine is from the Dearborn plant, it would mean it's not "hand assembled", correct?

 

[SilverSerpent]

Since the replacement engine is from the Dearborn plant, it would mean it's not "hand assembled", correct?

I do not know. Is that a thing? I've been googling and unable to find a single other GT350 engine tag like this. Also cannot find anything about them and Dearborn.

I'll say that they were able to get the engine within a week I believe. They expected, and I heard, that it could take awhile to get a replacement.

 

[LR170Shelby350R]

At some point I would think they have to transition to engines from Dearborn assembly since the inventory of replacement engines from the Niche line will be depleted. Maybe you are one of the first individuals to document receiving an engine from Dearborn?

 

[passwords]

Tech found a decent amount of bore scoring (with pictures.)

Can you get more information on this, anything that may point to a cause for the scoring inside the cylinders? Which cylinders were affected?

Also, that’s the first Dearborn assembled voodoo I’ve seen. I’m glad they are at least still making them. I’m sure it won’t be for much longer though.

 

[SilverSerpent]

Can you get more information on this, anything that may point to a cause for the scoring inside the cylinders? Which cylinders were affected?

Also, that’s the first Dearborn assembled voodoo I’ve seen. I’m glad they are at least still making them. I’m sure it won’t be for much longer though.

I meant to ask him today about which cylinder(s) the scoring was on. As to the cause?
I don't think he took the valve covers off to see if the cams had any damage. Update: Followed up with tech, he said the scoring that's pictured was from cyl 1 and he saw no reason to check the others.

The car had 1,500 miles when I bought it back in 2019. I've been using Amsoil since then and I kept pretty accurate records, i.e. a spreadsheet, of every oil change and any additional oil I added between changes. I was always checking the oil and topping it off. It's not my first or even second car with a "built"/high strung engine so I'm diligent about letting it warm up before going beyond 3-4k RPMs or heavy throttle etc. 250F is the hottest the oil has ever got.

Engine ran great as far as I'm concerned. Weird, subtle hesitation around 2,500-3,000 RPMs since I got it. Excessive piston slap since I got it. But apparently that's normal and acceptable


The red flag for me was when I last changed the oil, I found a couple metal shavings in the filter. That combined with the oil consumption (on one oil change interval, which was 5,800 miles since my last, I had topped it off with 11qts over the year) is the reason I decided to bring it up to the dealer. Well, that and I had a bad wheel bearing and the A/C had leaked from a line rubbing through on the valve cover.

And yes, I had done 4 Blackstone Lab tests over the years and they saw nothing abnormal, aside from the fact that 11 additional qts basically meant the oil was like new in there and wasn't a good indicator. TBNs also showed that the oil still had plenty of life left in it even with a 5,000 mile interval (which was longer than I was comfortable with anyway.)

Sorry, I didn't mean to turn this into an oil consumption thread. I already posted in that one some months ago during the testing.



Edit: I can't get it to delete this double posted picture. It shows it deleted, then I save, then it's back. Oh well.

 

[passwords]

I meant to ask him today about which cylinder(s) the scoring was on. As to the cause?
I don't think he took the valve covers off to see if the cams had any damage. Update: Followed up with tech, he said the scoring that's pictured was from cyl 1 and he saw no reason to check the others.

The car had 1,500 miles when I bought it back in 2019. I've been using Amsoil since then and I kept pretty accurate records, i.e. a spreadsheet, of every oil change and any additional oil I added between changes. I was always checking the oil and topping it off. It's not my first or even second car with a "built"/high strung engine so I'm diligent about letting it warm up before going beyond 3-4k RPMs or heavy throttle etc. 250F is the hottest the oil has ever got.

Engine ran great as far as I'm concerned. Weird, subtle hesitation around 2,500-3,000 RPMs since I got it. Excessive piston slap since I got it. But apparently that's normal and acceptable


The red flag for me was when I last changed the oil, I found a couple metal shavings in the filter. That combined with the oil consumption (on one oil change interval, which was 5,800 miles since my last, I had topped it off with 11qts over the year) is the reason I decided to bring it up to the dealer. Well, that and I had a bad wheel bearing and the A/C had leaked from a line rubbing through on the valve cover.

And yes, I had done 4 Blackstone Lab tests over the years and they saw nothing abnormal, aside from the fact that 11 additional qts basically meant the oil was like new in there and wasn't a good indicator. TBNs also showed that the oil still had plenty of life left in it even with a 5,000 mile interval (which was longer than I was comfortable with anyway.)

Sorry, I didn't mean to turn this into an oil consumption thread. I already posted in that one some months ago during the testing.



Edit: I can't get it to delete this double posted picture. It shows it deleted, then I save, then it's back. Oh well.

All good information. Thank you for the detailed response. I have my own theory about why so many of the early voodoos consumed oil excessively (low tension rings mixed with oil squirters shooting oil at the back of the pistons) but it’s pure speculation on my part. The issue of scoring on the cylinder walls has come up a few times though, so I’m curious if there’s something happening with the pistons, piston skirts, or maybe some form of oil starvation.

Regardless, thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[Postal Bob]

At some point I would think they have to transition to engines from Dearborn assembly since the inventory of replacement engines from the Niche line will be depleted. Maybe you are one of the first individuals to document receiving an engine from Dearborn?

Just thought I'd add this to the thread. Just got back my car after getting a replacement engine under warranty. The car broke down in NC, and that's where it got fixed. My engine might be shot because of timing chain issue | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com
I looked at the engine code, and I see it was built in Dearborn just a few months ago. So it looks like they're still making these engines.

 

[Finally21]

I looked at my engine sticker and saw the following, FA 557. FA I think is model year 2015. The engine was built on June 8, 2016 and the car was assembled on June 16, 2016. How is it a model year 2015 but sold as a 2017? I’m obviously missing something. ( original engine, stamped numbers on block match VIN)

 

[sox3]

FA was on all engines 2015 thru 2018 until 2019 block change and then changed to KA for 2019 and 2020

 

[coolcobramatt]

Just thought I'd add this to the thread. Just got back my car after getting a replacement engine under warranty. The car broke down in NC, and that's where it got fixed. My engine might be shot because of timing chain issue | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com
I looked at the engine code, and I see it was built in Dearborn just a few months ago. So it looks like they're still making these engines.

my car has a Jan 2024 Dearborn sticker. Did any of you ever figure this out? I have some people saying I have a gen 1 and others claiming gen 2. Surely being built in 2024 there is no way it’s a gen 1.

 

[sox3]

Gen 2, everything 2019 and up is Gen 2, when Romeo engine plant shut down, replacment engines come from Dearborn

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