How do I read the engine codes of my Ford cars?

How do you read Ford engine codes?

1. Locate the date code stamped on the right side of the Ford block, just above the starter on Boss 302, 351W/351C and 221/260/289/302 engines. The date code can also be on any machined surface of the block and will have four alphanumeric digits, such as "5E30." This number represents the assembly date if stamped on the machined boss; otherwise, you will see a metal tag or decal. Use the stamped production date whenever possible for reference, since you can find it more easily, and because the decal or label can be missing.
2. Find the decade of the date by looking at the first letter of the part number, also located above the starter, eight or more digits long separated by hyphens or spaces. For example, for the 1950s, the first letter would be "B," then the letter "C" for the 1960s, "D" for the 1970s, "E" for the 1980s, "F" for the 1990s and so forth. A Ford part number can look like, "F6TE-2002," showing a 1990s decade.
3. Look at the first digit of the Ford block date code, which appears like a four-digit code, sometimes with a fifth digit representing the engine size or horsepower. The first number represents the decade year. For this example, in a four-digit code of "5E30", "5" means 1995 when appearing as the first digit.
4. Read the second digit, representing the month and alphabet position. Ford does not use the letter "I" in this case. The letters can be an "A" for January through "M" for the month of December. The "E" as the second digit, for instance, means the fifth month, or May. An "H" in this position would mean the month of August, as the eighth letter of the alphabet.