Identify MEL engine / Decode Block

[Jordans56F100]

Hi MEL's group,

I am trying to confirm the displacement of my motor. Could anyone tell me if the serial# found can confirm?

The passenger side of the block:
-B9ME6015C
-92N:1
-11

Drivers side Rear side of the Block:
-5LCCK or 5LCOK?

Thank you for the help!!!

[Chris430]

Pretty sure that is a 59 block. If I remember correctly the 1960 430 block is a C0ME casting number. 383 and 410 were found in Mercurys and Edsels in 1959. Some early blocks were reported to have very thick cylinder walls, meaning it is possible your block was a good candidate for a bigger custom bore and stroke. If you physically measure bore and stroke then you can do a drill bit test based off of the MEL's bore center. That will give you a ball park figure of your engines potential.

[Chris430]

Pretty sure that is a 59 block. If I remember correctly the 1960 430 block is a C0ME casting number. 383 and 410 were found in Mercurys and Edsels in 1959. Some early blocks were reported to have very thick cylinder walls, meaning it is possible your block was a good candidate for a bigger custom bore and stroke. If you physically measure bore and stroke then you can do a drill bit test based off of the MEL's bore center. That will give you a ball park figure of your engines potential.

50's era date decoding and drill bit testing procedure can be found here or on Fordfe.com

[Jordans56F100]

Thanks Chris,

I have managed to decode the number to tell me it is indeed a 1959 Mercury block as you said.
I've also found that the options available for 1959 were (312 Y block) MEL 383, and MEL 430.

I may have to measure to confirm that the displacement, I was just hoping some decoding would be possible without. I did find info from Theo on this site that states:

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=14
430 cid block casting numbers:

B9ME-3.............................1959
B9ME.................................1959
C0ME.................................1960
C1VE..................................1961- 65
C2VE..................................1962
C3AE-M, C3AE-Z...............1963-65
C5AE-A, C5AE-D...............1965

Would This confirm this is a 430ci ? or is it possible that the 383 also started with B9ME?

Thank you!