I've been told that a 390 will have the number 352 cast into the front of the block behind the fuel pump. But the engine I'v got, that is supposedly a 390 has the number 105 cast backwards in the same spot. Does anyone know what this means?

 

Other than it's a late model FE block, Nope. Could be a 360 or 390. I think the FT engines also had this block. The only way to know for sure is to pull a head an measure the bore and stroke. Short of that you could use a dowell to measure the stroke of the piston through one of the spark plug holes. Measure at TDC and BTC and subtract. 3.5 inches = 360, 3.75 inches = 390 assuming a 4.05 inch bore.

 

Will do, thanks for the tip!

 

The reverse image 105 block has a little more meat in the bottom of the block. Some consider this a better block to build on. Mostly used as 360s. 360s are 390 bore blocks, so yours could have been built as a 390.

I saw a 330 FT block yesterday that the 352 on it.

72, I like to put a 8" long white house wire into one of the front plug holes and have a bud rotate the engine a couple revs while I hold a Sharpie on the wire. I can measure the length of the mark for the stroke. Aint gotta worry bout the rithmetic that way.

John

 

I do the same thing but use a 1/4" wooden dowl...to do the job...

Russ

 

Some service replacement blocks didn't come built as any engine size from ford other than cylinder bore. A bare block could be ordered from Ford and lacks a partial VIN. There are complete engines that came via the same route, but if the engine is all original then the cast dates are always very close for block,intake, heads, crank, etc... If you have a newer cast date (say D4TE like mine) on a mirror image 105 block than all of the other parts of the engine than the chances you have a service replacement block are fairly good.

There are no absolutes in Ford engines, so anything I stated could be argued either way.

 

The reverse "105" blocks replaced the "352" blocks around 1973. They were cast at the new MCC Michigan Casting Center. Some 105 blocks have the thicker cyl walls and some do not. The drill bit test through the freeze plugs will confirm which it has. They all have the HD crank webbing of the earlier HD blocks.

G.

 

Oh sorry forgot the 105 blocks were the 390, 360 FE and the FT series. The 427 and 428 blocks remained at DIF Dearborn Iron Foundry were they were cast till the end in the later 70's.

 

Russ, Next time use the wire, you will never use a dowel again.

John

 

You sure about that????? Not added to?
Where is it written?


John

 

I'll Have to try that John, Hell I'll I'll try anything once...and even twice if its fun!!

Russ

 

Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

My mirror image 105 block has a D4TE code. The 105 is on front of the left cylinder bank just below the deck. There are no other codes accompanying it.

 

it is a 1974 something


maybe


D4TE 330MD c.i.d. Medium & Heavy Duty Truck, Reinforcement Webs
359, 361, 389, & 391 c.i.d. Reinforcement Webs

 

John sorry your correct... added to. There were still some later "352" marked blocks that had the ribs added to the molds. Skimming through my notes too quickly here. My bad. G.