They might have still been building the 100% tickford i6 then tho. Rumours are theres some late build Gli's and futura's around with factory fitted XR6 motors because of an EL/AU-hybrid engine and/or parts shortage.

Food for thought

Just as an interesting side note, every hybrid car I've seen built has the engine bay painted black (not body colour as previous EL's)

and the block is not painted, so its all nice rust color by now (Dec 97 Build) it fits on pretty snugly. Silly differences I know, but a way to easily identify

Sorry to stuff up anyones plans with cams, etc in hybrids, but I figured best to pass on experience before someone else cops the same problem

I've got a colour coded engine bay, and my rocker cover (hehe typed 'rocket' first time, I'm always doing that, sometimes I catch myself), is matt black/dark grey with the 4.0 OHC in silver lettering on top.

edit: Looks kinda, exactly like this: http://fordmods.datamine.tk/dynoday041204/IMG_1781.JPG

anyone? ... code on the EL hybrid head? ..

Introduced in January 1998, the 'hybrid' six (as it was known internal to Fords - far different to the now usual connotation associated with the word 'hybrid' referring to a combined electro/internal combustion engine) was introduced to allow the early conversion of many of the Geelong machine lines to AU specifications. Externally the engines were identical to the earlier EL Falcon engine however featured full AU specification blocks as well as the AU's low inertia valve train. Unfortunately this did not extend to the AU's head, head studs or head gasket so these engines are still subject to head gasket failure as a routine part of ownership. This change did however involve changing the normally parallel valve springs to the newer conical AU items requiring new tools when servicing.

The valve stem seal was also redesigned in these engines to accommodate the thinner stem of the inlet and exhaust valves. Included in the redesign was a new installation specification for the valve stem seal (depth) so check your work shop manual for the appropriate specs if you come across one of these. The block change necessitated a special 'hybrid' crankshaft to be made, with large main bearings to suite the AU block and EL size big ends to allow the EL spec conrods still to be used. The hybrid crankshaft can be identified by the letters 'VR' cast into it verses 'WR' which signifies a full AU spec crankshaft. There was little doubt that this was the best six cylinder to date - only eclipsed by the AU engine itself.