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How to decode Ford OEM part numbers before ordering
Structure of a Ford OEM Reference
Every genuine Ford part number is built on three logical sections: a prefix, a base number and a suffix. From these elements you can trace the design year, the part family and the exact revision.
| Section | Function | Example: C5ZZ-5255-F |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix | Decade, year, vehicle line, engineering department | C5ZZ |
| Base number | Part family (radiator, heater cable, etc.) | 5255 |
| Suffix | Revision or variant | F |
Decoding the Prefix
The prefix has four characters. The first indicates the decade—A = 1940-49, B = 1950-59, C = 1960-69, D = 1970-79, and so on. The second digit pins down the exact year in that decade.
The third character shows the vehicle line. Handy cues:
- Z – Mustang
- F – F-Series and pickups
- T – Thunderbird
- W – Cougar
The fourth character is the engineering department: A for chassis, E for engine, B for body, while Z marks a generic service part. With those four symbols you already know when the part was designed and which vehicle type it fits.
Understanding the Base Number
The base number (four- to five-digit) groups the part into a functional family. Key examples:
- 18518 – heater or ventilation control cable
- 6604 – oil pump
- 2882 – brake fluid reservoir
- 13404 – headlamp
If the prefix matches your model and the base number matches the correct family, you are about 80 % sure of compatibility; the suffix confirms the exact version.
The Role of the Suffix
The suffix often looks minor, yet it tells the part’s history: each successive letter (A, B, C, D…) records a technical revision. A “C” version fixes or improves the “B” without changing fitment, so it remains backward-compatible in most cases.
Sometimes the suffix extends with digits or an add-on code (like “-52K”) to flag a complete kit rather than a single item—saving you from ordering just a cable when you need the sleeves and clips too.
Case Study: T4B-C5ZZ-18518-52K
Take our heater-cable kit T4B-C5ZZ-18518-52K—a perfect example:
- T4B- – internal logistics prefix, often marking a kit versus a single part.
- C5ZZ – C = 1960-69 decade, 5 = 1965, Z = Mustang platform, second Z = generic service.
- 18518 – heater-control-cable family.
- -52K – indicates a full kit with sleeve, clips and fasteners.
In seconds you know the kit targets 1965 Mustangs yet suits nearby model years that share the same dashboard layout—reducing order errors and returns.
Particularities of Casting Numbers
Numbers cast into iron or aluminium—such as C8OE-6090-D on a cylinder head—follow the same prefix-number-suffix logic, mainly to authenticate used parts. A correct casting number proves a head really came off a 1968 302 cid V8, not a later redesign.
When you restore a matching-numbers engine or gearbox, the casting number is critical to preserve collector value.
Quick Checklist Before Purchase
- Decode the prefix to confirm year and platform.
- Match the base number to the expected family.
- Check the suffix—latest revision or complete kit?
- Read the Compatible Vehicles box on the product page.
- Physically inspect length and fittings before installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
OEM number vs. Engineering number—what’s the difference?
The number cast or stamped on the part is the Engineering Number; the one on the packaging is the Service Number. Both follow the same OEM scheme and point to the same catalog reference.
My reference isn’t in a catalog—what now?
Search using only the prefix and base number, then explore suffix variants. Vintage catalogs or dedicated classic-parts databases can help too.
Are different-suffix versions always compatible?
Ford revisions mainly boost reliability, so later letters almost always fit earlier ones. Still, double-check if a small add-on—gasket, clip, spacer—is required.
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