trouble identifying my engine
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New User
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trouble identifying my engine
Hi im 17 and new to the site and i need some advice! Well i am having trouble identifying my engine. The previous owner knows that the drive train has been replaced and has no idea what engine got put it but i know it came stock with a 360 but if its been changed then that means nothing so i just need to know how to tell what its got under the hood . PS its a 1972 f100 and it has a v8 with a two barrel carb and thats all i know
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Welcome to FTE
5 valve cover bolts per side: FE engines, include 352/360/390.
6 valve cover bolts per side: 221/260/289/302 & 351W
7 valve cover bolts per side: 429/460.
8 valve cover bolts per side: 351C/351M/400.
5 valve cover bolts per side: FE engines, include 352/360/390.
6 valve cover bolts per side: 221/260/289/302 & 351W
7 valve cover bolts per side: 429/460.
8 valve cover bolts per side: 351C/351M/400.
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New User
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I just looked and and it had five but I ran the code on my exhaust manifold and it told me it was a 428! But could that just be someone put the 428 manifold on a 360 or 390? I'm so confused
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
What is the number cast on the manifold?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
It's possible that it's a 428 but it has a two-barrel carb.... Only a knucklehead would do that.
Regardless, figure out what ya got: How to ID a 360FE vs 390FE
Tell us if the stroke is more than 3.75 (actualy 3.78). Keep your fingers crossed!
Regardless, figure out what ya got: How to ID a 360FE vs 390FE
Tell us if the stroke is more than 3.75 (actualy 3.78). Keep your fingers crossed!
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New User
Joined: Apr 2014
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It's possible that it's a 428 but it has a two-barrel carb.... Only a knucklehead would do that.
Regardless, figure out what ya got: How to ID a 360FE vs 390FE
Tell us if the stroke is more than 3.75 (actualy 3.78). Keep your fingers crossed!
Regardless, figure out what ya got: How to ID a 360FE vs 390FE
Tell us if the stroke is more than 3.75 (actualy 3.78). Keep your fingers crossed!
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Fleet Owner
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From: NorCal
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Marked with ID engineering number: C8AE-9431-B = Ford part number: C8AZ-9431-B .. Left Exhaust Manifold / Obsolete
Applications: 1968 Galaxie/LTD 390 & 428 (except Police Cruiser) / 1969/70 Galaxie/LTD 428 Police Cruiser.
2E23 = Service part replacement cast: May (E) 23, 1972 (2).
This does not mean, however that the engine is a 390 or 428. The engine was swapped, so...what size was it originally?
The 4th digit of the VIN is the engine code - 1972 F100: A = 240 I-6 / B = 300 I-6 / G = 302 2V / H = 390 2V / Y = 360 2V
What size is it now? Measuring the stroke will pin it down. 360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78" / 428 = 3.98."
Applications: 1968 Galaxie/LTD 390 & 428 (except Police Cruiser) / 1969/70 Galaxie/LTD 428 Police Cruiser.
2E23 = Service part replacement cast: May (E) 23, 1972 (2).
This does not mean, however that the engine is a 390 or 428. The engine was swapped, so...what size was it originally?
The 4th digit of the VIN is the engine code - 1972 F100: A = 240 I-6 / B = 300 I-6 / G = 302 2V / H = 390 2V / Y = 360 2V
What size is it now? Measuring the stroke will pin it down. 360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78" / 428 = 3.98."
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New User
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haha thanks man �� I'll do it tomorrow and post what I find. Thanks for the help��
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,806
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From: Langley, BC
You're new, so I'm going to give you valuable advice. It'll come across as frank, but there's no other way to say it. If someone on here gives you a link, you read everything in the link before asking any more questions. The guys on here aren't playing around. There's usually a reason they gave you that link. Your answer is often inside.
Also, do as much research as you can before asking questions. Chances are, your question has been asked and documented before. Googling, "Identifying a Ford 428" gives you quite a bit of information.
Lastly, when asking a question, give as much information as possible. Telling us that it's a V8 is only so helpful. There were very many V8s made and still made today. Help us help you. A small description and most especially a photo of what you're talking about will help significantly.
Age is no excuse. You are no younger than I am.
Also, do as much research as you can before asking questions. Chances are, your question has been asked and documented before. Googling, "Identifying a Ford 428" gives you quite a bit of information.
Lastly, when asking a question, give as much information as possible. Telling us that it's a V8 is only so helpful. There were very many V8s made and still made today. Help us help you. A small description and most especially a photo of what you're talking about will help significantly.
Age is no excuse. You are no younger than I am.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
dilmachender, I have found a piece or house wire like 12-2 or 14-2 the white one, is smaller and will work better in the hole. You will need a friend, a socket & pull handle to turn the crank, a Sharpie, and the 8" piece of wire.
There are two ways to do this (with coil wire pulled). This one is easier if you can't get help. On the passenger side remove both the front and rear spark plugs, rotate the engine by hand to get the front piston top dead center using the wire to feel movement. Make a mark on the wire then go to the rear hole and mark it again from the same place and measure the distance between the marks.
Second, friend needed (only way that I done it) remove front spark plug, place wire in the hole, keep a finger on top to push, rest Sharpie on manifold against the wire and have friend rotate it 1 or more rounds. Measure the length of the mark on the wire. You are looking for 3 1/2" or 3 3/4"
John
There are two ways to do this (with coil wire pulled). This one is easier if you can't get help. On the passenger side remove both the front and rear spark plugs, rotate the engine by hand to get the front piston top dead center using the wire to feel movement. Make a mark on the wire then go to the rear hole and mark it again from the same place and measure the distance between the marks.
Second, friend needed (only way that I done it) remove front spark plug, place wire in the hole, keep a finger on top to push, rest Sharpie on manifold against the wire and have friend rotate it 1 or more rounds. Measure the length of the mark on the wire. You are looking for 3 1/2" or 3 3/4"
John
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,806
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From: Langley, BC
I used something thick like welding rod last time I did that. Marked off TDC and BDC on the rod with a marker and measured. Simple enough, but I was looking for a difference of 3/4", not 1/4", so I had a bit more leeway.
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