Decode my blue cobra

[gregpro50]

Pics of the door tag, buck tag, and emissions tag are in my gallery. If you click on them they will blow up real big.

[evlgt85]

Damn...there it is, plain as day, 15A. Cobra and N/A 4 banger. O_o

[gregpro50]

But I think A is the same code for the turbo-4...

[85vert]

Wasnt' 'W' the turbo 4?

[kj_80Cobra]

My '80 Cobra has a 2.3T and has a A engine code in the vin but a T code on the buck tag. My '80 service manual lists the T code as a 2.3L turbocharged.

[FoxChassis]

02/81 = scheduled build date
1FA = FoMoCo, USA
B = manual seatbelts
P = passenger car
15 = three-door hatchback
A = 2.3L engine, turbocharged
3 = check digit
B = 1981 model year
F = Dearborn, MI assembly plant
181399 = unit number
3L 1C = Dark Blue Metallic exterior w/ Lower Tu-Tone Paint Treatment
15 = New York DSO
61R = three-door hatchback
TB = Wedgewood Blue interior w/ Recaro seating
7 = AM/FM stereo w/ cassette
F = 3.45:1 rear axle ratio w/ open differential
5 = five-speed manual transmission
V = D8BZ-5310-AS front coil springs
G = D9BZ-5560-L rear coil springs

MUSTANG = model
181399 = unit number
61R = three-door hatchback
A = 2.3L engine, turbocharged
066n = ?
3L = Dark Blue Metallic exterior
TT = Lower Tu-Tone Paint Treatment
DF = ?
ST = ?
LL = liftgate/rear hatchback louvers
08 = full-length, rear facing hood scoop
HB = heated back glass/rear defrost
S = speed/cruise control
CBR = Cobra option package
07 = ?
V = ?
S = ?
B = Wedgewood Blue interior

[gregpro50]

So there it is again. Some sources show the "A" as turbo charged and some dont. However the emissions tag on the underside of the hood shows info for an N/A engine.

[gregpro50]

OK here is what I can find about engine codes:

1979:

4cyl = Y
4cyl turbo = W

1980:

4cyl= A
4cyl turbo = T

1981

4cyl = A
(no listing for a turbo engine code)

However some of the other books I have list "A" as the engine code for '80 and '81 whether or not it is an NA or turbo 4 cyl

[93-331-29PSI]

Wasnt' 'W' the turbo 4?

I believe that is only true for the later turbo cars

[85vert]

From pg 42 of the Fox-Body Mustang Recognition Guide:

It should be noted that showroom brochures and dealer information indicated continued availability of the venerable 2.3 liter turbocharged four. However, we could find no evidence of the engine actually being utilized in 1981. Periodicals of the time indicated the engine was discontinuted due to reliability issues.
I was thinking pace cars on the W code and didn't consider they'd change year to year like that.

[gregpro50]

I also heard that the turbo was eliminated for '81 but I'm almost positive that I've seen one.

I guess the base engine for the '81 Cobras was the 255 V8 although I never knew the NA 4cyl was optional. It makes me wonder if there are any sixes out there.

[FoxChassis]

'81 Ford Mustang dealer sales brochure (dated 08/80):

http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/album26/81m10_11?full=1
http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/album26/81m13?full=1

Standard engine was the 2.3T.

Now, when did the 2.3T became unavailable? Is there a revised sales brochure? Other factory literature? Does any of it show the Cobra Option package available with engines other than the 2.3T and the 4.2L?

[85vert]

The same book says the engine code for the turbo in 1980 was 'w' as well so maybe there's a mistake or two in it.

[02Z06]

As far as I can tell, the fox recognition guide is wrong about W being the code for 2.3Ts in 1980. We have 7 1980 turbo cars in the registry, all have the engine code "A". As for 1981, I'm not sure.

[FoxChassis]

There are mistakes in every book I have. People have pointed out plenty of mistakes in the Fox-Body Mustang Recognition Guide.

[negusm]

Canada continued the Turbo. The 81-82 brochures still listed it so I am pretty sure 81 would have it.

-Mike

[85vert]

Did the 81-82's (Canadian or otherwise) have the 'turbocharged' badge on the bezel above the dash?
I used to have an 80 Capri that was neutered to NA before I got it but it still had the badging.

[02Z06]

With the trouble that people had with turbos when the cars were new, what are the chances that the dealer removed the turbo and sold it as N/A?

[negusm]

With the trouble that people had with turbos when the cars were new, what are the chances that the dealer removed the turbo and sold it as N/A?

Probably not. The dealer would be more than happy to kick back the cost of the warranteed repair to Ford and keep one of his guys working.

-Mike

[KCoker]

I have a turbo Fairmont , a turbo Capri and a M81 turbo mustang Mclaren all have (A) for the engine code.

Another note, check and see if it has a 8K tach, so far all the turbo cars I have seen have it.

[gregpro50]

So what do I have here then? Everything when you are looking at the car points to an N/A engine originally. 6k tach, no turbocharged emblem, emissions sticker on the hood for an NA engine, it has an NA wiring harness under the hood (turbo ones look completely different). The radiator and shroud are just the basic stock 4cyl ones. I cant see someone going through the trouble of swapping something like that in. Everything under the hood looks completely stock. I just dont see this as a possible engine swap car...

Maybe if I can find the VIN stamping in the block and compare it to the car?

Also, what would the engine code be for just a standard 4cyl in '81 if not A?

[gregpro50]

Hmmmm... this is an interesting post: http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showpost.php?p=488497&postcount=46

[negusm]

If you read the product fact book carefully for 1981....

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Literature/DealerOnly/ProductFactBooks/1981_FordProductBook%20010.jpg

Technically it does not rule out the 4cyl NA engine IF you get it with a standard transmission.

4cyl na w/automatic = unavailable with cobra
6cyl = unavailable w/cobra
8cyl = standard w/cobra
4cyl na w/standard = ????????????/

[negusm]

Also in the fact book, the 255 v8 requires the automatic transmission?

And the 4cyl Turbo engine was not even listed as an option????

-Mike

[negusm]

So if you wanted a stick shift Cobra....you HAD to get the 4cyl NA engine.

-Mike

[negusm]

and this post may add to that:
http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showpost.php?p=488497&postcount=46

Although I am betting he either doesn't remember or misspoke about being a 5speed....cause I thought the 5 speed came out in 83.

But if both these cars are sticks and the product book is right then you had to go with the NA 4cyl. This was probably due to the fact that they new people would still want a stick shift but the turbo option had been yanked at the last minute.

-Mike

[gregpro50]

and this post may add to that:
http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showpost.php?p=488497&postcount=46

Although I am betting he either doesn't remember or misspoke about being a 5speed....cause I thought the 5 speed came out in 83.

-Mike

But mine is a 5 sp too Mike. It is that weird transmission where overdrive is right next to 4th gear. Look at the picture of the shift knob in my gallery. That guy's car sounds like an identical drivetrain setup to this blue one.

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/photoPost/data/500/medium/P4240385.JPG

[negusm]

Well, ok then. I really don't remember much about the early cars.

I know when we've talked about other oddities...never discount anything Ford did. Not from red interior with black carpet to Canadian 85 GS cars with manual transmissions.

I'm betting if you got a salesman's guide from 1981, or better yet a rare dealer's ordering guide, you would see the breakout much clearer.

My question is that with the Cobra Package, did the v8/auto add more money since it was to be standard? If you opted for the NA 4cyl/manual, was it a credit like a radio delete option?

-Mike

[gregpro50]

I'm sure it was since the 255 V8 was a credit from the 4cyl turbo for '80. As I recall it was the same thing in '79. The V8 was actually less expensive than the turbo-4.

Maybe mine is just equipped with a rare and IMO, undesireable option. I mean who goes to the dealer and asks for a cobra package with a 4 cyl?

[negusm]

I'm sure it was since the 255 V8 was a credit from the 4cyl turbo for '80. As I recall it was the same thing in '79. The V8 was actually less expensive than the turbo-4.

Maybe mine is just equipped with a rare and IMO, undesireable option. I mean who goes to the dealer and asks for a cobra package with a 4 cyl?

Well, Ford had the RS trim level for all engines until 1983.

Also, there is ALWAYS some weirdo who doesn't give a rats ass about a big engine or performance but wants the looks of the performance package. The 4cyl NA Cobra option would have been just the ticket.

-Mike

[Sweet'83]

Could this car possibly be a Canadian Cobra? Is the ODO in KM's or MPH in larger text? After all NY state borders Canada! Also To my knowledge the 5-speed wasn't introduced untill 1983?

[kj_80Cobra]

Could this car possibly be a Canadian Cobra? Is the ODO in KM's or MPH in larger text? After all NY state borders Canada! Also To my knowledge the 5-speed wasn't introduced untill 1983?

Nope, the 1FA in the VIN stands for Ford Motor Company, USA. Ford Motor Company of Canada is several different codes. My 1981 Powertrain factory service manual lists the tranny that Greg's car has and says it was in the Mustang and Capri.

[negusm]

Could this car possibly be a Canadian Cobra? Is the ODO in KM's or MPH in larger text? After all NY state borders Canada! Also To my knowledge the 5-speed wasn't introduced untill 1983?

Like greg says, it's really a 5-speed with overdrive. It's not a a T-5 like a lot of us know and love.

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Literature/DealerOnly/ProductFactBooks/81_Mercury_ProductFactsBook_11.jpg

That link above shows the 1981 Capri having a 5-speed manual with overdrive.

-Mike

[kj_80Cobra]

No turbo emblem on the cowl hood and no turbo emblem on the dash panel so it appears to have been ordered that way. Greg, check the green dash light on the left side of the dash and see if it says turbo.

[FoxChassis]

1FA in the VIN stands for Ford Motor Company, USA. Ford Motor Company of Canada is several different codes.
The first three places in '81+ VINs are the Manufacturer Identifier. Ford did not produce Mustangs or Capris in Canada, so you will not find one with an identifier for the Country of Canada.

What you need to look at is the DSO (District Sales Office), and Greg's Cobra's DSO is 15, which is New York. If it had been sent to Canada for sale the DSO would have been A1 through A8 or B1 through B8.

[gregpro50]

No turbo emblem on the cowl hood and no turbo emblem on the dash panel so it appears to have been ordered that way. Greg, check the green dash light on the left side of the dash and see if it says turbo.

Nope. The green turbo light is built into the bezel just like any car of those years but there is no bulb behind it.

[kj_80Cobra]

The first three places in '81+ VINs are the Manufacturer Identifier. Ford did not produce Mustangs or Capris in Canada, so you will not find one with an identifier for the Country of Canada.


My '81 Factory service manual lists world manufacturer identifier codes of
2FA- Ford passenger car, 2ME- Mercury passenger car, 2FM- Ford MPV, 2FD- Ford incomplete vehicle, and 2MH- Mercury incomplete vehicle as all being for Ford Motor Company of Canada.

[FoxChassis]

That's all well and good, but.....

Ford did not produce Mustangs or Capris in Canada, so you will not find one with an identifier for the Country of Canada.

Ford of Canada did produce vehicles but none of them were Mustangs or Capris.

[grabbergreen84]

The DSO is New York.
The "S" on the bucktag is for Speed control/cruise. And I'd say that the V is for the Visibility/light group - but I'm not totally sure of that one, it's just a guess.