170 and 144 differences

[falcondave63]

just curious what the differences are between the 170 code U and the 170 code E. i've read that the E is the "low compression" 170. is this correct? i've also seen 170's with the valve cover and air cleaner assembly painted orange as well as blue, what are the differences? my falcon is a 63 and has a 170 with a blue air cleaner assembly and valve cover. the code E as listed here indicates that the E is a lower compression 170: http://falconperformance.sundog.net/facts.asp the page indicate two engine codes, U and E.
here is a pic of my engine:

at this point i'm really trying to identify the engine. the valve cover and air cleaner assembly were blue when i got the car from my grandfather 9 years ago, so i assumed that they were supposed to be blue, so blue they had stayed. now i'm just wondering if there are any specific differences in the block that would identify the engine as a 144 as opposed to a 170. i did some searching and read up about the freeze plugs and the on piece head/intake manifold but couldn't find anything specific as to what i was looking for. any help would be most appreciated!

 

[Mercury Mike]

As far as I remember, the 170 is supposed to be black block red air cleaner/valve cover. The 200 is supposed to be black block blue assembly. Maybe I'm mixed up?

 

[falcondave63]

i'm not sure what the color combo's are supposed to be. when i was given the car i was told that the engine was a 170. as i was told, the engine and trans are original. when i got the car, i was told that the only non original parts were the battery, the starter solenoid, tires, and the clutch.

 

[kukm66]

originally the 144 used blue for the valve cover, 170 used the red. The 200 was introduced and used the blue color. Most likely, someone has painted the valve cover and air cleaner at some point so the color cannot be used to identify.

The 170 has the same bore as the 144 but has a longer stroke. If you can check the stamping on the block on the flat spot where the road draft used to attach or still does, usually you can read the stamping for the block. However, many are not readible or not stamped completely.

Read:

http://www.tffn.net/1960.html

 

[falcondave63]

ok, great website!!! thank you!!! are the 144 and 170 head the same head and valve combination?

 

[falcondave63]

just for reference purposes, does anyone have a pic of their casting letter that identifies the engine code?