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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

engine size???

Old Jun 17, 2003 | 05:01 PM
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engine size???

I have an 81 F-250 that I just bought. I'm trying to figure out what size engine it has in it. The sticker under the hood says it came stock with a 300 6, but the engine that's in it now is a V8, but I'm not sure what size. Is there anyway I can find out relatively easy? Are there numbers or codes on the block that I can refer to?

Thanks in advance for any help,
New owner....Steve
 
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Old Jun 17, 2003 | 06:10 PM
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engine size???

there should be a sticker on the valve cover and that should give you something but other than that i don't know. My guess is that is probably a 351W or a 460
 
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Old Jun 17, 2003 | 06:34 PM
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engine size???

I've checked the valve covers and there are no markings there that indcate engine size. Not sure what to do. I guess maybe take a spark plug out and check it against some at the auto-parts store...maybe that will give me an idea as to what I'm dealing with?
 
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Old Jun 17, 2003 | 06:37 PM
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engine size???

acutally if you know someone that has a 351w or 460 take measurements of the distance between the valve covers then measure your and that should give you a pretty good idea.
 
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Old Jun 17, 2003 | 06:59 PM
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engine size???

How many bolts hold the valve covers on?
 
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 12:12 PM
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engine size???

mtflat.......I'm not sure. I'll check tonight when I get home.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 09:58 PM
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engine size???

The 351W is a little wider then the 302. If it's a 351m/400 it'll have 8 bolts on the tapet covers. I think the 460 has 8 bolts too, But I tell the 460 by how the covers come to like a cone at the top, Like the roof on a house.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2003 | 10:59 PM
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engine size???

All the answers.
 
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Old Jun 19, 2003 | 07:51 AM
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engine size???

302's have 6 bolts per valve cover
351M/400's have 8 bolts per
429/460's have 7 bolts per
 
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Old Jun 19, 2003 | 12:19 PM
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engine size???

This is great, thanks for all the info, guys! I forgot to check last night, but I'll remember to do it tonight when I get home.

Steve
 
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