Hi all, I'm new to the Ford arena and have recently started acquiring a number of Ford engines and various parts. My question is ,How do you guys identify the different Ford engines? Is there a book out there with codes in it? Or must you take the engine apart and measure? For the typical junk yard browser like myself this is not very efficient! I have recently purchased a 75 ford 4x4 with a motor that is either a 360 or 390 and i'm not educated enough to identify. i have also traded for a motor that we believe is a 390 (78 or 79 Bronco). My hope is to mix and match enough parts to replace the engine in my 85 f250 4x4 with an older big block. I have one engine that i'm sure of and that is a 429 i took out of a friends car. How about it? any good reference material out there?

 

1) Steve Christ's "How to Rebuild Big-Block Ford Engines", HPBooks, ISBN 0-89586-070-8.

Good book for a rebuilder, some good reference material for sorting out the various parts and peices of the FE series engines; casting #'s listed for the blocks after `65 need to be taken with a grain of salt, however. Ford pretty much used the same external molds for various cores after then, except for the 427's.

2) Pat Ganahl's "Ford Performance", ISBN 1-884089-27-5.

Another good reference book, covers Ford's modern V8's; Small Block, 385 series BB (429-460), FE series BB, and 351C/400 series.

As for the 390 in the 4x4 not likely, but possible. They had warranty issues with the torque of the 390 breaking things on the 4x4's, so they went to 360's only, but that could have been a transplant. Same with the Bronco, they quit using the FE's in `76, and were in trucks only past `71 (maybe `72 not 100% sure)

As for identifying the different FE's, the quickest way is the stroke (assuming the engine is still intact, or in the vehicle).

Put the #1 piston at TDC, and use a small dowel/rod through the spark plug hole, straight down as much as possible. Mark it where it hits the lip of the opening.

Now do the same thing in the #4 cylinder, (dont turn the engine!) trying to make sure the dowel hits the same part of the piston (many were dished and this will throw off measurement). Measure the difference.

3.50 inches is a 352 or 360 (352 discontinued after `67)
3.78 inches is a 390 (or a 427 if you're REALLY lucky!)
3.98 inches is a 410 or 428 (410 was `66-`67 Merc only)

There was also a 406 which used the 390's stroke with the 428 size bore (4.13) But for the most part what you will find in the `yards, are 360's (truck only) or 390's.

Here's some good reference for 428CJ identification:

428CJ site

Head casting #'s, crank #'s, rod's etc, can help to pinpoint what you have.

Whew, long winded, but hopefully this helps some. Welcome to FTE and don't be afraid to ask questions!

 

And what engine is currently in the 85 that you wish to replace? Knowing that, we may be able to suggest your best (easiest) route to take.
Welcome aboard! --MG

 

Thank you both for your replies! I'm contacting the book store to determine availabilty of both books tonight. Might get lucky.Must be getting old, i remember when getting lucky meant something else. the 85 has a 351. i was way ahead of you and when i made my trade for the 360/390? i got the transmission and transfer case also(205 transfer case). my only question along these lines is will the transmission work on the 429 i have if i need to fall back on my one known engine. i did buy the haynes ford engine manual and was disappointed. the (VIN)engine codes for my 75 didn't match any in the book (L). then i checked the two 85 fords and guess what, they didn't match either! At least it was consistant. once again thanks for the suggestions! i'm rolling again! hopefully forward

 

If you strike out at your bookstore amazon.com is a good source for those books; that's where I found mine....

 

I'll see what I can come up with on the 1975 "L" code engine. The transmission for the FE (360/390) will not interchange with the 429, they have a different bell housing. In 1975, the 4x4 trucks came generally with a 360 engine, they just have a different crank/rods/piston than the 390. The easy way to identify one of these is to look at the intake manifold. If the manifold extends under the valve cover to make up almost one-half of the head, it is indeed the FE 360/390.

 

thanks again to the replies, Scratch the (L) code. Got out the title and it was easier to read (the light was bad, my foot slipped...i goofed etc...) it was a (Y) code which of course is the 360. Ordered both books and they should be here by the weekend. B. Dalton bookstore was really good about it. They took my order over the phone and will call when they come in. If i don't like what i see I don't have to take them! Don't get that kind of service much anymore! Ok, the transmission from the 360/390? will not match up to the 429, how about a 351?By the way, the 429 not matching up doesn't break my heart because i have been waiting two years for the right body to come along to stuff it in... i can wait! thanks again for the info!

 

Hi carl:
Thanks for the update, glad to hear you found some books as well! The trans for a 360/390 will only fit the FE family of engines. The 429/460 falls in the "385" series of engines, I think their bell housing is only compatable with a 351C, but I may be mistaken. Your best bet will be to take a look at the back of the motors or the tranny. The key point with them is on the tranny, the distance between the two top mounting bolts. I think they are narrower than on the small block 289/302/351 engine.
Happy hunting! --MG

 

351C's are compatible with 289/302/351W.
351M's work with 400/429/460.
Fe's are all by them selfs 332/352/360/390/410/427/428

 

There's not much point in replacing a 351W with a 360. For what you'd spend on parts for the swap, you could build a hell-asious 351W.

 

Hi all and thanks again for the info...bought both books previously mentioned....good reading but a little dated.final update on the engines i was trying to I.D. the one in the 75 pickup is a 360 as identified by the intake and valve covers. the one i found in the junkyard is a 79 400 ci. valve cover still has the paper sticker that id's it as a 79 and i know it came from a bronco. sure wish i could find some reference material to break down those stickers! well that's it and unless there are questions or answers i don't intend to write anything more on this thread ... thanx again!

 

Also get: High Performance Ford Parts Interchange, by George Reid, S-A Design/ Cartech books.