Notices

1978 engine sticker codes

Old Jun 19, 2003 | 09:33 AM
  #1  
billybert's Avatar
billybert
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
1978 engine sticker codes

Hi,

Does anyone have the key for the sticker on the front of the valve cover? The workshop manual says this sticker is explained in the Ford parts catalog for the year. I'd like to confirm that my 1978 F150 has a special order heavy duty six. Are there any casting or stamping marks to look for to show this?

Sadly the sticker is partly destroyed, so I can't be sure of the code, but it starts with JE or JF. I can read some of the numbers, but I'm not sure how many are missing.

Does anyone know how the heavy duty six differs from a standard six? What is not interchangeable?

thanks,
'bert
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2003 | 11:45 PM
  #2  
steve83's Avatar
steve83
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
1978 engine sticker codes

If you don't find the answer here, try the Ford Six BBS.
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2003 | 09:36 PM
  #3  
tetraruby's Avatar
tetraruby
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 0
1978 engine sticker codes

All the parts are interchangeable between a LD and a HD. The early HD does not have an EGR valve, thermactor system, or cat. Differences are mainly -valve composition and crank medium. The LD is nodular cast iron, while the HD has a forged steel crank.

Go to my fledgling site: tetraruby300@freewebsitehosting.com
I have a page if you go into emissions/how to decipher the calibration label/ 1973-1982 you'll find the page that explains the label. I don't have the calibration codes scanned in for '78, but I do have the book. The only standard model that had a HD was a P-600 with the left hand of the label reading the calibration number: 7-77M-R10.

Generally speaking, the heavy trucks that had 300's were HD's. The VECI label should be a giveaway if it is a HD - No egr, no cat, no thermactor. You may have very well had a special order HD motor installed installed - it would be intersting to know if it was an option. Post back what you get off the right hand column of numbers - see if I can Xref to tell you what you have.
 
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2003 | 12:12 PM
  #4  
tetraruby's Avatar
tetraruby
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 0
1978 engine sticker codes

duh, I screwed that up - thought something looked funny -

tetraruby300.freewebsitehosting.com

'82 is up now too.
 
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2003 | 10:00 AM
  #5  
billybert's Avatar
billybert
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
1978 engine sticker codes

thanx for the responses.

tetraruby: do you know what comp the HD valves are? Good for unleaded gas maybe? I know my truck does not have a catalytic converter, not sure what the themactor is.

The right column of the engine sticker damaged, but these are my guesses for those codes.
Top = 17, 77, ?Z
Middle = 16 or 10
Bottom = 31 (pretty sure this is it)

btw, my warranty plate is no help. The # should start F15B for an 300 HD, or F15Z for special order. Mine is F15K, K = 477 V8 in the 600 series trucks.
 
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2003 | 07:55 PM
  #6  
tetraruby's Avatar
tetraruby
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 0
1978 engine sticker codes

VIN K should be for a 300HD. Your 77 on the label seems to confirm that. Don't always trust labels, but it sure reads like you have one. Thermactor system is Ford's name for an air supply system - smog pump, etc. The lack of a CAT and EGR valve would definintely make me think that yeah, you have a HD. You asked "What comp" the valves are? Not sure what you mean- I think your engine should be around low to mid 8's for compression. I'm almost sure by your year truck flame hardened seats were common-
What does all this mean? Not much. The sodium filled valves are an older technology. Valve material composition has evolved quite a bit since the '70's. You may be even running a slighlty lower compression than a LD truck. The biggest advantage of having a HD motor is the crank. If you do have a HD, you SHOULD have a forged steel crank - these are on the rare side - a desire if you intend to turn more than 6K.
Regards.

Keep it in-line!
 
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2003 | 08:52 AM
  #7  
shotgun's Avatar
shotgun
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 390
Likes: 1
From: South East Alabama
1978 engine sticker codes

Didn't the HD 300's get a steel cam gear set VS. the nylon gears?
 
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2003 | 08:55 AM
  #8  
shotgun's Avatar
shotgun
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 390
Likes: 1
From: South East Alabama
1978 engine sticker codes

Didn't the HD 300's get the steel cam gear set VS. nylon gears?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 28, 2003 | 09:50 AM
  #9  
82F100SWB's Avatar
82F100SWB
Post Fiend
25 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
1978 engine sticker codes

No, most all all 82 and older 300's have steel gears, the switch to phenolic and aluminum was for noise reduction... Customers were complaining of a knocking sound....
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1978Stepside
New Member Introductions
1
Feb 25, 2017 12:38 PM
dlehmann
2009 - 2014 F150
2
Oct 1, 2016 11:48 AM
ottawaguy
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Sep 28, 2009 04:47 PM
Blubeast01
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Dec 16, 2003 11:43 AM
Guy
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
7
Feb 3, 2001 06:23 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:33 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE