Thought it might help if I posted the cheat sheet I work from.
DIGIT #1?DECADE OF MANUFACTURE:
A - 1940
B - 1950
C - 1960
D - 1970
E - 1980
F - 1990
G - 2000
DIGIT #2?YEAR OF THE DECADE:
0 - 1960, 1970, etc.
1 - 1961, 1971, etc.
2 - 1962, 1972, etc.
Example: B8 = 1958; C1 = 1961; C9 = 1969; D9 = 1979, etc.
DIGIT #3?CAR LINE:
A = Ford (from 1958; Galaxie, Custom, LTD)
B = Bronco (1970-1973)
B = Maverick (1975-1977)
B = Fairmont (1978-1983)
C = Remanufactured Parts (1966-1975)
C = Ford Elite (1975-1976)
C = Mercury Capri (from 1979)
D = Falcon (1960-1969)
D = Maverick (1970-1974)
D = Granada (1975-1982)
D = Ford LTD (from 1983)
E = Ford Truck (Cab Over Engine; 1970-1973)
E = Pinto (1976-1980)
E = Escort (from 1981)
F = Foreign or TransAm Racing
F = Outside Sales (from 1962)
G = Mercury Comet (1961-1967)
G = Mercury Montego (1968-1976)
G = Ford EXP (from 1982)
H = Holman Moody HiPo Parts (until 1966)
H = Heavy Truck (1966-1982)
H = Medium Heavy Truck (from 1983)
J = Industrial Engines
K = Edsel (1958-1960)
L = Lincoln (1958-1960)
L = Continental Mark Series (from 1969)
M = Mercury
N = Tractor
O = Fairlane
O = Torino (1969-1976)
O = LTD II (1977-1979)
O = LN7 (1982-1983)
P = Autolite (1967-1972; Motorcraft from 1973)
R = Rotunda Brand (1962-1969)
R = Ford of Europe Imports (from 1970)
S = Thunderbird (from 1958)
T = All Truck Lines (1958-1965)
T = Light Medium Truck/Bronco (1974-1982)
T = Light Truck/Bronco (from 1983)
U = Econoline (1961-?)
V = Lincoln (1961-1981)
W = Cougar (1967-1973)
W = Bobcat (1975-1980)
W = Lynx (from 1981)
X = Trucks (1970-1973)
Y = Meteor (Canadian)
Y = Mercury Bobcat (1975-1980)
Y = Mercury Lynx (from 1981)
Z = Mustang
1 = (not used)
2 = Pinto (1971-1975)
3 = Tempo (from 1984)
4 = Comet (1971-1974)
4 = Monarch (1975-1980)
4 = Cougar (1981-1982)
4 = Marquis (from 1983)
5 = Recreational Vehicles (1974-1975)
5 = Continental (from 1982)
6 = Pantera (1971-1975)
7 = Courier Truck (1971-1975)
7 = Ranger and Bronco II (from 1983)
8 = Capri (1972-1975; U.S.-designed parts)
9 = Turbine Engine Parts (1970-1975)
DIGIT #4?ENGINEERING OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORIGINAL DESIGN:
A = Light Truck Engineering Division
B = Body and Electrical Product Division
C = Chassis Engineering (Powertrain and Chassis Product Engineering)
D = Overseas Product Engineering
E = Engine Engineering
F = Electrical and Electronics Division (Product Engineering Office)
G = (not used)
H = Climate Control Division (from 1972) (Product Engineering Office)
I = (not used)
J = Autolite/Ford Parts and Service Division (Parts and Service Engineering Office)
K = (not used)
L = Industrial Engine Operations (Ford Parts and Service Division)
M = Performance Operations and Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) (includes Holman Moody)
N = Ford Tractor Operations (Product Engineering Office and Diversified Products Operations)
O = (not used)
P = Automatic Transmission and Axle Engineering
Q = (not used)
R = Manual Transmission and Axle Engineering
S = Light and Heavy Truck Engineering/Truck Special Order Parts
T = Heavy Truck Engineering
U = Special Vehicle Operations (SVO)
V = Vehicle Special Order and Engineering Section
W = Transmission, Axle, and Driveshaft Engineering
X = Emissions, Economy and Special Vehicle Engineering (high performance parts)
Y = Lincoln/Mercury Division Service Parts
Z = Ford Division Service Parts
DIGITS #5-9?BASIC PART NUMBER:
This series of numerals denote the actual part description, i.e., wheel assembly, relay assembly, etc. It is possible a letter or two may also appear within the series of numerals. The basic part number is still the same, however if the alphabetical letters are disregarded.
DIGITS #10-12 (SUFFIX)?DESIGN CHANGE:
Normally an alphabetical letter, with the original design being designated by the letter "A". A first revision to the original design would normally be noted with a "B", although sometimes this digit identifies a completely different component, even though the basic part is the same. For instance, different engine displacements and designs. Parts finished in different colors can be identified by their suffix numbers as well. For instance, the Simulated Styled Steel Wheel Covers for a 1969 Ford Thunderbird carry the basic part number C9SZ-1130D, followed by -26B for Brittany Blue color, 13D for Candyapple Red color, etc.
ENGINEERING VS. SERVICE PART NUMBERS
It should be noted that Ford part numbers are divided into two main categories: engineering part numbers and service part numbers. When a part is first designed, engineering assigns it an alphanumeric part number, such as C5SZ-1005-A. If the part is later completely redesigned, a new part number is assigned to it by engineering, to differentiate between the two parts, for instance C8AZ-1007-E. Both are wheel assemblies, but they have very different applications.
When the part is released as a service part, the service part number assigned to the part is likely to initially be the same as the engineering part number. Small revisions that don't affect compatibility - such as a change in suppliers - usually result in the suffix changing on the service part number to indicate the design change level. Service part numbers are normally listed on the packaging the part comes in, whether it be a box, plastic bag, envelope, sleeve, tube, etc. If the part doesn't normally have a package, a label is affixed to the part itself with the service part number. This is why sometimes the part inside the package will have a different suffix showing on it. The part itself bears the original engineering part number, while the box shows the service part number, which represents the different suppliers.
Often the change in design or suppliers (reflected by the alpha character suffix) is to address a reliability or quality issue. So, if you could choose between identical parts, one with an "A" suffix and the other with a "B" suffix, the "B" is usually the best choice. While parts marked with "B" or a suffix that indicates a change would normally fit and work the same as the same part with an "A" suffix, you can't always replace a "B" or "C" suffix part with an "A" part, even though they are basically the same. This could be due to the other components around this part not being compatible with the original "A" suffix part.
Boxed kits sold to dealers may have multiple part numbers on the various components inside the box, and the number on the box itself will be completely different than that of any parts inside the box.
The easiest way to discern if a part is a factory original or service replacement part is to check the fourth digit of the part number. If it's a "Z" it is a Ford Service Replacement part, indicating it has been changed in service during the life of the vehicle.
DIGIT #1?DECADE OF MANUFACTURE:
A - 1940
B - 1950
C - 1960
D - 1970
E - 1980
F - 1990
G - 2000
DIGIT #2?YEAR OF THE DECADE:
0 - 1960, 1970, etc.
1 - 1961, 1971, etc.
2 - 1962, 1972, etc.
Example: B8 = 1958; C1 = 1961; C9 = 1969; D9 = 1979, etc.
DIGIT #3?CAR LINE:
A = Ford (from 1958; Galaxie, Custom, LTD)
B = Bronco (1970-1973)
B = Maverick (1975-1977)
B = Fairmont (1978-1983)
C = Remanufactured Parts (1966-1975)
C = Ford Elite (1975-1976)
C = Mercury Capri (from 1979)
D = Falcon (1960-1969)
D = Maverick (1970-1974)
D = Granada (1975-1982)
D = Ford LTD (from 1983)
E = Ford Truck (Cab Over Engine; 1970-1973)
E = Pinto (1976-1980)
E = Escort (from 1981)
F = Foreign or TransAm Racing
F = Outside Sales (from 1962)
G = Mercury Comet (1961-1967)
G = Mercury Montego (1968-1976)
G = Ford EXP (from 1982)
H = Holman Moody HiPo Parts (until 1966)
H = Heavy Truck (1966-1982)
H = Medium Heavy Truck (from 1983)
J = Industrial Engines
K = Edsel (1958-1960)
L = Lincoln (1958-1960)
L = Continental Mark Series (from 1969)
M = Mercury
N = Tractor
O = Fairlane
O = Torino (1969-1976)
O = LTD II (1977-1979)
O = LN7 (1982-1983)
P = Autolite (1967-1972; Motorcraft from 1973)
R = Rotunda Brand (1962-1969)
R = Ford of Europe Imports (from 1970)
S = Thunderbird (from 1958)
T = All Truck Lines (1958-1965)
T = Light Medium Truck/Bronco (1974-1982)
T = Light Truck/Bronco (from 1983)
U = Econoline (1961-?)
V = Lincoln (1961-1981)
W = Cougar (1967-1973)
W = Bobcat (1975-1980)
W = Lynx (from 1981)
X = Trucks (1970-1973)
Y = Meteor (Canadian)
Y = Mercury Bobcat (1975-1980)
Y = Mercury Lynx (from 1981)
Z = Mustang
1 = (not used)
2 = Pinto (1971-1975)
3 = Tempo (from 1984)
4 = Comet (1971-1974)
4 = Monarch (1975-1980)
4 = Cougar (1981-1982)
4 = Marquis (from 1983)
5 = Recreational Vehicles (1974-1975)
5 = Continental (from 1982)
6 = Pantera (1971-1975)
7 = Courier Truck (1971-1975)
7 = Ranger and Bronco II (from 1983)
8 = Capri (1972-1975; U.S.-designed parts)
9 = Turbine Engine Parts (1970-1975)
DIGIT #4?ENGINEERING OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORIGINAL DESIGN:
A = Light Truck Engineering Division
B = Body and Electrical Product Division
C = Chassis Engineering (Powertrain and Chassis Product Engineering)
D = Overseas Product Engineering
E = Engine Engineering
F = Electrical and Electronics Division (Product Engineering Office)
G = (not used)
H = Climate Control Division (from 1972) (Product Engineering Office)
I = (not used)
J = Autolite/Ford Parts and Service Division (Parts and Service Engineering Office)
K = (not used)
L = Industrial Engine Operations (Ford Parts and Service Division)
M = Performance Operations and Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) (includes Holman Moody)
N = Ford Tractor Operations (Product Engineering Office and Diversified Products Operations)
O = (not used)
P = Automatic Transmission and Axle Engineering
Q = (not used)
R = Manual Transmission and Axle Engineering
S = Light and Heavy Truck Engineering/Truck Special Order Parts
T = Heavy Truck Engineering
U = Special Vehicle Operations (SVO)
V = Vehicle Special Order and Engineering Section
W = Transmission, Axle, and Driveshaft Engineering
X = Emissions, Economy and Special Vehicle Engineering (high performance parts)
Y = Lincoln/Mercury Division Service Parts
Z = Ford Division Service Parts
DIGITS #5-9?BASIC PART NUMBER:
This series of numerals denote the actual part description, i.e., wheel assembly, relay assembly, etc. It is possible a letter or two may also appear within the series of numerals. The basic part number is still the same, however if the alphabetical letters are disregarded.
DIGITS #10-12 (SUFFIX)?DESIGN CHANGE:
Normally an alphabetical letter, with the original design being designated by the letter "A". A first revision to the original design would normally be noted with a "B", although sometimes this digit identifies a completely different component, even though the basic part is the same. For instance, different engine displacements and designs. Parts finished in different colors can be identified by their suffix numbers as well. For instance, the Simulated Styled Steel Wheel Covers for a 1969 Ford Thunderbird carry the basic part number C9SZ-1130D, followed by -26B for Brittany Blue color, 13D for Candyapple Red color, etc.
ENGINEERING VS. SERVICE PART NUMBERS
It should be noted that Ford part numbers are divided into two main categories: engineering part numbers and service part numbers. When a part is first designed, engineering assigns it an alphanumeric part number, such as C5SZ-1005-A. If the part is later completely redesigned, a new part number is assigned to it by engineering, to differentiate between the two parts, for instance C8AZ-1007-E. Both are wheel assemblies, but they have very different applications.
When the part is released as a service part, the service part number assigned to the part is likely to initially be the same as the engineering part number. Small revisions that don't affect compatibility - such as a change in suppliers - usually result in the suffix changing on the service part number to indicate the design change level. Service part numbers are normally listed on the packaging the part comes in, whether it be a box, plastic bag, envelope, sleeve, tube, etc. If the part doesn't normally have a package, a label is affixed to the part itself with the service part number. This is why sometimes the part inside the package will have a different suffix showing on it. The part itself bears the original engineering part number, while the box shows the service part number, which represents the different suppliers.
Often the change in design or suppliers (reflected by the alpha character suffix) is to address a reliability or quality issue. So, if you could choose between identical parts, one with an "A" suffix and the other with a "B" suffix, the "B" is usually the best choice. While parts marked with "B" or a suffix that indicates a change would normally fit and work the same as the same part with an "A" suffix, you can't always replace a "B" or "C" suffix part with an "A" part, even though they are basically the same. This could be due to the other components around this part not being compatible with the original "A" suffix part.
Boxed kits sold to dealers may have multiple part numbers on the various components inside the box, and the number on the box itself will be completely different than that of any parts inside the box.
The easiest way to discern if a part is a factory original or service replacement part is to check the fourth digit of the part number. If it's a "Z" it is a Ford Service Replacement part, indicating it has been changed in service during the life of the vehicle.
