Alright, so I have this truck I recently started on and I got a great deal on it. We've ran into a couple confusing things though so maybe someone who knows a lot more what they're talking about can help. The stamp on the inside of the door says this truck is a 1976, BUT the grille and headlights look like the 78'-79's headlights (rectangular) and the hood has the holes for the F-O-R-D (I assume). Didn't the 76' model have FORD in the grille assembly with round headlights? My next issue is the engine, I was told it has a 351 but we aren't sure if its the Cleveland, Windsor, or Modified. Is there any way to tell the difference easily? I've read that if the intake bolts are in a straight line then its a Windsor and likewise with the upper radiator hose coming into the intake rather than the block. Any info and help will be much appreciated.

 

Grilles and doors are easily changed if damaged, and many times when doors are replaced, nobody thinks to put the correct warranty plate on the new door. The vehicle's VIN number is stamped on the right side frame rail top flange near the alternator. Get a wire brush and start brushing and you will find it. Post the number here and somebody can decode it.

Another way to tell whether it's a '76 or earlier or '77 and later is where the 'F' badge is placed. On pre-'77s it is on the fender. '77 and later were on the side of the cowl. Of course, that can be easily changed as well.

From what I can tell in the pics, I would say you have a 351m or 400, which would come stock in a '77 or later.

 

I should take notes, because i think that i know that a cleveland is from a car? And a windsor is earlier? And that you probably have a modified....why, idk

 

The vehicle certification label is attached to the door pillar. The certification label has the VIN and ratings info.

The outer grill shell and headlight buckets are easily changed. Just have to drill some different mount holes in the radiator core support.

Same front bumpers used 1964/77 and 1978 before serial number AG0,001.

351C/M/400 335 series: 8 bolts in rectangular valve covers. Timing chain housing is part of block. Thermostat housing on block. Exhaust bolt holes diagonal.
351M/400 335 series: intake is 12.7" wide the 351C is narrow. The 351M and 400 are identical externally, only internal parts examination can tell them apart.
351W/302/5.0L 6 bolts on trapezoidal valve covers. Thermostat housing on intake. Exhaust bolt holes horizontal.
429/460 385 series: 7 bolts in rectangular valve cover
352/360/390/427/428 FE series: Intake goes under valve covers.

 

the current engine is either a 302 or 351w. for a quick ID, put your fist at a 45 deg angle to your arm and stick your thumb back 90 deg to your arm, if that is about the width of your intake manifold, then it is a 302. if you stick your pinkee out and that is the width of the manifold, then it is a 351w. picture your hand in the old surfer "hang loose" signal

I do think 98percent sure it is a 351w

 

Same front bumpers used 1964/77 and 1978 before serial number AG0,001.

1976 F100 2WD's could have come w/a 302, 360/390 FE or 460.

The engine in this truck has a distributor that was introduced in 1977, so it cannot be an FE engine.

351M/400's replaced FE engines beginning in 1977, have 8 valve cover bolts per side.

351C's installed in 1970/74 Passenger Cars only, no 351W's installed in F150/350's until 1981.

No Ford letters within the grille on any 1962 or newer F100/350.

 

You need to keep in mind you bought a 30+ year old truck. There's no telling what has been done to it. You have the grill and hood from the '78-'79 trucks, but the bumper is off of a '77 and older truck. You have a small block Ford, so it's either a 302 or 351W. The 351 has a higher deck height, so the manifold is slightly wider than the 302/289 manifolds.

Half the fun of buying one of these is digging down through all the layers and doing some "automotive archeology". Some things will make you happy and some things will make you scratch you head and wonder what the P.O. was thinking.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

cant you just check the valve cover bolt count and placement ?

 

You can put that cap on older distributers. There is a cap adapter that goes on the distributer

 

True to what earthquake said. And found both.... Decent shape mostly unmolested. But hack job wiring and not sure what the po did to my cracked eghaust manifold... But hey keep us posted on what you find.

 

engine id.

Ford V8 Engine Identification - FORDification.com

 

Well it ended up being a 351 Windsor, the intake manifold gave it away being it was slightly larger and a few other clues. She fires up strong but now she leaks coolant and tranny fluid like crazy, gotta love these old trucks! Looks like rebuilding time! Thanks for the help fellas! Oh, and the VIN says its a 4x4 but its not so somewhere along the line we've had some swaps !

 

Hmm very interesting. Well keep us informed.