OK, so I have what I thought was a 1983 460 Truck block. Now I'm not sure.

The bore measures to be a .060 over 460, it looks like a 460, but the casting number is STE-AB or 9TE-AB but there's definately NOT a D ( or any letter) before the 9. I have the engine clean and on a stand....

The casting number 3C17 in the lifter valley tells me it's probably March 17th 1983 and the last 8 numbers of the VIN is stamped on the rear of the block just below the deck. It reads DPA81813 which only tells me 1983 and built in St Paul Minn Plant.

I have a set of new in the box ACL main bearings and the thrust bearing doesn't fit, in the cap or the block... it's more than .120 too narrow to press into either one??? I can see a little, but 1/8"?!!!

I took the thrust bearing up to Autozone and compared it to a Clevite set they had and it's the same width. So buying a new set doesn't help me cuz it won't fit either?

MS1039P is the part number for a 460 main bearing set from 1968-99 everyone tells me. I haven't been able to find anyone who shows a different main bearing set for a 460.

So I'm stumped, I can't put my crank in and I can't find a bearing to fit the block. I thought maybe it was a weird block out of a F-600 or something so I tried Ford but they can't tell me anything unless I know what vehicle it came out of... and I don't.

Pretty soon I'm gonna have a freshly turned .020/.020 crank, D6VE-AA rods and .060 over pistons/rings for sale!

Any ideas? Or anyone have BIG truck information? The local auto parts sure doesn't.

Thanks,
Geoff

 

I did some checking and the 370-429 truck engines use the same main bearing sets as all the other 429-460's. Do you have the old bearing you could get a number from?

 

Nope, I dont have the old bearings. I bought the block just like it is off of ...ebay.


Everybody I have talked to says that that family of engines all used the same main bearings, so I am confused.

Thanks for checking though. The experts on here are a big help.

Geoff

 

dumb question, but are you putting the thrust bearing in the right location?

it's been a while since i rebuilt my 460 but i think the thrust bearing goes on the middle main not the end one like Chev.

i am pretty sure the middle main is narrower than the other mains.

rgds
Mike

 

Apparently it wasn't a dumb question. You were right, thread over, problem solved.

You got are great. Thanks!

-Geoff