Block and head casting numbers
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Elder User
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Block and head casting numbers
I'm trying to find out the exact year of my 390 (should be 67-69) that is in my truck. Where does Ford put indentifiers on their motors (block and heads), of this vintage?
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Look behind the starter for the block casting #'s, and as far as the heads here is a copy and past about a 460....
If the heads were cast in the '70s (and possibly the early '80s), it most likely will be a D3VEA or similar number. D2VE, D0VE are common early '70s numbers (stay away from D2 heads, by the way.) It will be between the spark plugs.
If the heads were cast in the '80s, the numbers will be on the underside of the head, on the lip that extends past the block and over the valley.
If the heads are off the block, turn them upside down and you will see them.
If they are still on the block and you have the intake off, use a mirror to read the lip, the underside of the heads. I used a dental mirror.
If the heads were cast in the '70s (and possibly the early '80s), it most likely will be a D3VEA or similar number. D2VE, D0VE are common early '70s numbers (stay away from D2 heads, by the way.) It will be between the spark plugs.
If the heads were cast in the '80s, the numbers will be on the underside of the head, on the lip that extends past the block and over the valley.
If the heads are off the block, turn them upside down and you will see them.
If they are still on the block and you have the intake off, use a mirror to read the lip, the underside of the heads. I used a dental mirror.
Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
There are no markings on a FE block that will identify the specific production year, e.g. a "C6ME-A" casting number could identify a block as a '66 but it could also be found on any FE block cast from '66 through '72
Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
Hotshot
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From: Stanley, VA
I believe there is a casting date code on FE's just below the oil filter adapter. But that's going to be the date the block was cast, not the date the engine was built. I don't know how much of a lag there was between casting and building.
It's not too clear but you can kind of see the location in the picture. Here, because the engines upside down the mark is on top of the adapter
It's not too clear but you can kind of see the location in the picture. Here, because the engines upside down the mark is on top of the adapter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
Good question Mike, i wouldn't think the blocks sat around for too long between casting date and build date, but i honestly have no idea, were they promptly shipped off to Ford engine assembly plants or did they sit around the foundry for awhile...
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Joe Kucinski
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
I guessed wrong once before, but in the end and 20 years later I retired out of the Army, so that guess was not all that bad.
Post Fiend
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From: Big Sky Country
my tour was no where near as long as yours, i served 4yrs with the Army during the first Gulf War.
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
No need to thank me you was there too, so thank you, but thanks for the thanks.
Oh yea Desert Shield and Storm I was there with 3rd AD out of Germany, in a aviation unit flying Blackhawks as a crewchief and door gunner.
over
Oh yea Desert Shield and Storm I was there with 3rd AD out of Germany, in a aviation unit flying Blackhawks as a crewchief and door gunner.
over
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Casting numbers give you the year of revision. As per prior post, you might see a C6AE or C7AE in '68 or 69. You will see a D2TE head casting code clear into '76 iirc.
There is a date code on the block near the oil filter adapter area.
Extreme close up:
http://www.fordification.com/tech/im...k-datecode.jpg
Again, as per the prior post, that is not the day it was put together and installed. A 6 month lag might be about right.
Bigger picture:
Ford 352, 390, 406, 427 and 428 Engine Blocks
Serving suggestion: Don't worry too much about it. The numbers and date code will not make your vehicle a priceless classic.
To those in the armed forces: Thank you for your service.
There is a date code on the block near the oil filter adapter area.
Extreme close up:
http://www.fordification.com/tech/im...k-datecode.jpg
Again, as per the prior post, that is not the day it was put together and installed. A 6 month lag might be about right.
Bigger picture:
Ford 352, 390, 406, 427 and 428 Engine Blocks
Serving suggestion: Don't worry too much about it. The numbers and date code will not make your vehicle a priceless classic.
To those in the armed forces: Thank you for your service.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
-69) that is in my truck. Casting numbers cannot be cross referenced to Ford part numbers.
360/390: 1968/76 F100/350. 1965/67 F100/350's were only available w/a 352.
1968/71 F100/350 360/390 heads have a C8TE casting number prefix, 1972 is D2TE.
1968/72 360/390 block casting number prefix is C8TE.
Date codes on blocks are foundry marks for the year/month/day they were cast. Then the blocks are placed outside to "season."
Then these rough blocks are sent to engine assembly plants to be finished. Next, the completed engines are sent to car/truck assembly plants where they are "banked" until needed.
So, it could be 3-12 months from the day the blocks were first cast, before the completed engines were installed in vehicles.
Late 1973, early 1974: 1st Arab Oil Embargo occurred. Sales of vehicles with 'gas guzzler' 351C/360/390/400/460 engines fell off considerably. People, for the first time since WWII, were concerned about MPG
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Big Sky Country
Date codes on blocks are foundry marks for the day they were first cast. Then the blocks are placed outside to "season."
Then these rough blocks are sent to engine assembly plants to be finished. Next, the completed engines are sent to car/truck assembly plants where they are "banked" until needed.
So, it could be 3-12 months from the day the blocks were first cast, before the completed engines were installed in vehicles.
Then these rough blocks are sent to engine assembly plants to be finished. Next, the completed engines are sent to car/truck assembly plants where they are "banked" until needed.
So, it could be 3-12 months from the day the blocks were first cast, before the completed engines were installed in vehicles.
