Engine Colors

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May 13, 2003 | 05:41 PM

rustygreen76ford

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Engine Colors

Ok, I powerwashed off the 360 in my truck and found something interesting. The heads, intake and sheetmetal were the usual ford blue engine color but the block is painted red???

What, if any, is the significance of the color red on the block. I am almost sure that the engine has been replaced, possibly with a short block?, because of the head and sheetmetal color, Also, the dipstick tube and stick are partially blocked by the master cylinder, brake lines and the washer reservoir making it very hard to reach.

Are there any stampings on the block itself that will tell me what year of engine I have and possibly the application that it was used in, ie: industrial, large truck, etc......

Also, does anyone know where the dipstick tube on a 1976 should be pointed. I can't imagine Ford putting the dipstick in such a bad spot from the factory.

Thanks all.

May 13, 2003 | 05:56 PM

chissler

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Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Utah

Engine Colors

I've seen some odd colored stuff come from machine shops, maybe for identification purposes. The dipstick tube on 2wd's bolt on using an exhaust bolt, I think the second from the front, and the tube presses into the block next to the oil filter adapter. 4wd tubes go into the pan and I think they mount farther back. They should both be pointing about straight up, not in the way of anything.

May 13, 2003 | 07:21 PM

Ds7776

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From: South Dakota

Engine Colors

If your VIN tag says Y or H after the F10 F15 or F14 F25 F26 then you have a 360 Y or a 390 H. But if you suspect differently that it may have been changed then you can tell Ford engines apart very simply and you may already know this, but if not then an FE will have a Intake that is part of the head and partially covered by the valve cover, also the valve cover will have 5 bolts. If you might have a 351 M orC or 400 then you can count valve cover bolts and one these engines will have 8 bolts a 460 will have 7. but of corse you would be able to tell the difference between a small block. I have heard of 460s from Ltds or other full size cars that have a dipstick a ways back.

May 13, 2003 | 07:27 PM

rustygreen76ford

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Engine Colors

thanks for the info. I know that I have a FE360. I have measured the stroke and come up with 3.5". Any ideas on the color I mentioned? I guess I just took it for granted that most of the FE engines were painted blue around 1976.

May 13, 2003 | 07:32 PM

flyboy2610

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Joined: Dec 2001

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From: Lincoln USA

Engine Colors

Maybe someone wanted a more colorful engine compartment?

May 14, 2003 | 09:44 AM

Mike G

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Joined: Nov 2002

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From: Littleton, CO

Engine Colors

I recently pulled a "service replacement" 360 engine and saw that the block was an orange/red color behind the flywheel. Of course the exterior was the stadard issue blue, but that could have been painted. Some authorized Ford dealers/rebuilders that were well know at the time had replaced the engine so perhaps you have one of these type of motors.
--MG