Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year to ALL !
I have an old 70's vintage V8, I'm told was/is a 372. It's out of a 3/4 or 1 ton Ford truck I think. I'd like to see exactly what I have, so where do I go to look up the VIN number? Is there a website or do I need to buy a book? Wondering of it's potential for aftermarket goodies and how it would fit in the engine bay of a '54 (i.e. header problems clearing the steering box) Also, what trans would fit?

 

a "372" is a common displacement for a 351 stroker. I've seen that displacement on both windsors and cleveland engines.

The 351W version gives you a long rod, 3.640" stroke which the advantage aside from displacement gains is that the longer rods keep the pistons at TDC longer, allowing you to get more power for a given fuel. Because of this, and the typical compression ratio being in the 10.5:1 - 11:1 range you'll not find too many of them as street engines, though it can be done obviously.

With the long rods, and long "stay" at TDC, you're going to find lots of torque. Don't over rev it though. It's one stroker combination that's requires a lot of serious hardware to turn serious RPMs.

 

And for the information that frederic imparted mrfox, you have now become eligible to join the New Jersey Chapter and indulge in more info morsels that the wonderful members of that chapter can provide you with. Besides their a great bunch and you can have alot of fun at the GTG's.

 

it could also be a bored out FE or FT engine. when you look at the block, is the numbers 352 embossed on the front?? also, the FE/FT will have the valve covers partially over the heads.
if it is a Windsor block, the head to block surface is almost at the water pump mounts. a Cleveland or modified block will have about 1 inch of space between the head to block and water pump.

 

Ford made a 272 for quite a few years. Is it possible he misspoke?

It could also be a punched out 360.