Hi Folks,

First off, thanks everyone, great information on this site.

I bought a '78 f250 4x4 with a swapped in 460 by a previous owner. The guy I bought it from didn't do the swap and didn't know too many details (of course). The engine (d8te-ab block) is in great shape, runs good, and doesn't smoke etc. The heads look to be original to the block, but who knows.

The problem...I can't seem to locate any part numbers for the heads??? The normal pad above the exhaust ports is there, but no casting numbers. I can't seem to find any numbers outside. When I pulled the valve cover I was happy to find roller rockers with what appears to be a conversion kit so think they are of the pedestal type if that helps. The only numbers I found were "88" and "5h1." The engine currently has an edelbrock performer intake and 750 carb. However, the "88" and lack of numbers outside is scaring me into thinking that they were formally efi and there is a misalignment between manifold and head.

Any help would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks,

Wade

 

Welcome to FTE.
The block casting number is actually D9TE-AB (clean it with a wire brush and you will see that 8 is actually a 9) this is an externally balanced engine 1979 or later. The heads are most likely D3VE but they could be later than that, as it seems some of the 85 and 86 heads didn't actually have casting marks on them from what I have read (no first hand visual of this but I have gotten that from people I respect and believe) The EFI heads should either have E8TE or F3TE cast into them.

 

All of the '80s heads I have dealt with put the casting numbers on the bottom of the head, on the lip which extends out over the block valley.
You will need to pull the intake manifold, then use a small mirror inside the valley to look up under that lip.

 

Wade, you have what are very likely D3VE heads but might also be E6TE heads, as the casting date you noted nears the beginning of the 1986 production year. These two cylinder head castings are essentially identical in port architecure. The only slight variation on the outside of the head might be a slightly larrger accessory bolt hole on the end of the casting.

Paul

 

This is correct.

Paul

 

Not to split hairs, but the early fuelie castings were E7TE.

Paul

 

Sorry typo on my part the E8TE heads were the last of the motorhome carbed heads if memory serves me correctly (might be altiezmers setting in though ) The E7TE heads is correct.

 

Thanks guys for the help, I thought I was going nuts for a while there. I'm sure this casting change saved 50 cents in manufacturing costs.

So it sounds like short of pulling the manifold, in all probability I have a d3ve or equivalent and NOT an EFI head because those casting marks (e7te) would be present in the usual spot?

I've seen a lot of different numbers thrown around in regards to the combustion chamber size of the d3ve's, mostly 92-95cc. Is this correct? What about the e6te head cc?

Thanks again,

Wade

 

They vary but I have always used 95cc when figuring compression with D3VE heads, and that seems to be a happy medium type of number for them. The E6TE heads will have pretty much the same size. As Paul stated they are almost identical and can be used interchangably. The only difference I KNOW of is external as he stated it's the size of the accesory mounting hole.

 

The heads on my 1987 motor home were E6TE but were so sand blasted that it took rubings on both to deside what they were, one looked to be a EOTE it was so eroded.
I would think as long as it starts and runs ok it dosen't have efi heads. I don't have personal knowlege but have read several places they won't let you bolt up a carb intake.
By the way welcom to the FTE boards.
Bill

 

Ok, I'll bite, why does it have to be a D9 block??? Ford cast the first 429/460 block in '75, D5TE (up until then, they were Lincoln blocks/motors). Then came D7, and D8, which were 4 bolt main blocks. In '79 they cast the D9 2 bolt main block for external balance cranks. I think the D5, D7, D8's only came in medium duty trucks, like school buses and dump trucks, but I'm not sure.

 

Oh no not again. ok I will say this one last time ford never cast a 385 series engine block with D5 D7 or D8 casting numbers. if you look at best it's someone misreading a D9TE casting number.

edit here read these 2 threads.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...lt+truck+block

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...uck-motor.html


And Ford did not go to the 370 and 429 in medium duty truck until 1979