Hi there, looked at an '88 F250 4X4 yesterday but couldn't get under the hood to look at the engine. The owner thinks it has a 400 but he doesn't know. Ford did not offer the 400 in '88. The serial number 8th digit is L but I can't find it on the net, can anybody help me with this? Looking from the bottom it appears to be either a 5.0 or 5.8 but not sure.

 

There is no "L" engine code for 1988 in my notes. Are you sure it's not an 87? That would make it a carbed 460.

 

L = 1980/87 7.5L (460 4V) / L was not used after 1987, so the truck is prolly a 1987. 1987/91's look identical.

The 10th digit of the 17 digit VIN is the year code: H = 1987 / J = 1988 (the letter I is skipped).

17 digit VIN, 1981 to date: The last 6 digits of the VIN is the vehicles specific serial number.

Engine decode source: 1980/89 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog / General Info Section; Engine Codes, Page 21.

btw: All this jazz is listed on the Certification Label which also has the vehicles production date listed on it. Will be found at the upper right or left corner.

And...no 400's installed after 1982.

 

Thanks guys , your probably correct, I'll probably have another look at it in a couple days if he hasn't sold it yet. It looks pretty good but he thinks the transmission is failing but he's only asking $800 OBO so it's probably worth it.