Numbers Matching vs. non matching in a Mustang

[ff5013]

My brother has a 1968 Fastback Mustang with a 302 motor in it. He wants to put a 289 in her cause thats what the car code says it came with. If he does it does it make it a "Numbers matching car"?

[bergers59]

I'm not a mustang guy but I've had similar experience in GTOs. A numbers matching car would mean the stamping(date code) on the engine block matches the cars code, meaning that exact engine came in the car from the factory. Putting a non-matching coded engine in the car doesn't make it numbers matching, but it makes car more correct

[67TXStang]

Bergers59 is correct.

There is the engine block casting number by where the starter is located. There is a date code in the same location. The date code on mine is 7D7 which is the 7th day of April 1967. This is 15 days before my car was produced (April 22, 1967).

[ff5013]

Thanks for the reply guys

[Jetfixr320]

I've been told that even Fords have at least a partial S/N on the block. But, have never looked to verify since neither of my cars had the factory engine installed.

[badazz81z28]

Like said, a numbers matching car has the born with Engine. Even if you get the proper displacement and date code, if its not the born engine, its not #s matching just period correct.

[Dave B]

On a small block ford, there will be a partial serial number on the back of the block, at the top, at the back of the intake manifold. It's not numbers matching, if it's not the engine the car was born with. Being a small block car, numbers matching isn't really anything to worry about, plus numbers matching is boring these days.