I have a guy wanting to buy the 400/C6 out of my 82 F250 project truck, but he wants to know what kind of transfer case it has.

He mentioned a NP203 or NP205. I have no clue what he's talking about.

Where would I find these transfer case numbers?

Also, where would I find the number on the block? Do Ford motors have ID numbers on the block? He wants to know if I can get a number off the block at all too.

 

It'l have a Borg Warner or New Process transfer case, looking at pictures and comparing is probably the easiest way to identify it.

Block casting ID numbers will be on the passenger side way down low by the oil pan & starter motor area, but they're useless in identifying anything because the only thing it'll tell you is "it's a block" and ALL Ford blocks have a 6015 (I think that's what it is, don't remember for certain) casting number.

 

It won't be an NP203 or an NP205. It'll be an aluminum casing NP208. And I can tell you that may be a deal breaker for him cause it sounds like he wants to stick these in an older truck, which used the 203 and 205, which were cast iron cases.

New Process (NP) usually puts a round tag with red outline on the backside of the transfer case, to the left of the output shaft. Just crawl under the truck behind the transfer case, and look towards the front of the truck. You should be able to see it. But if you see aluminum, then you'll know it's a 208.

As for the block, the two numbers he's worried about are the engine casting ID, which should be D7TE-****-A or something like that. That number is on either left or right side of the block, towards the back, behind the exhaust manifolds. That one can be hard to see.

The other number he's worried about is the casting date code, which is on the back of the block next to the oil pressure sending unit. It should read 8C24, or something along those lines. First digit is the year, second is the month, and last two are the day. This number is the date that the block was cast. Even though the truck is an 82, don't be surprised to find a 78 or 79 cast date. These motors were being phased out in the early 80's, and 82 was the very last year they were offered in the bullnose trucks.

 

Not quite true. Car blocks will have either D0AE, D5AE, or D8AE. These blocks have the dipstick through the front of the block, and the D0AE and D5AE blocks do not have the reinforced main webbing that the D7TE blocks have.

 

Well, it's at least somewhat true, and I wouldn't have to say this stuff if you were out here more often and helping people.

Yeah, you're right about the D*AE prefix vs the D7TE block prefix, that was something I looked at when I went block-shopping.

But my D7TE block also has a (plugged) hole in front for an oil dipstick, I'm not aware of that hole being on some blocks and not others.

Anyhow, if ND Bill stops by, he'd grumble and carry on about block casting numbers being useless (but you're right about the reinforced webbing of the truck 400 blocks vs. the sedan blocks).

 

I'm getting ready for a career move, so I'm hoping to find myself here a little more often.

As far as a I know, all 335 series engines have the hole in the block for the dipstick, but the D7TE blocks have that hole filled with god knows what.

 

When you boil it in a solvent tank, that stuff comes out... I filled mine with a sub-miniature freeze plug sealed with black RTV.

 

Good to know 'bout the front hole opening up. I surely would've seen it, but best to be forewarned.

Career move? Hope it works out for you.

 

Thanks Gary! I just need to get out of the automotive industry.

 

1977/79 F100/350 & 1978/79 Bronco 351M/400 block casting number: D7TE-6015-AB I dunno if 1980/82 is the same or not.

Parts catalog pic: See the notation listed below 6010

btw: SWMBO has retired (sigh). Now I'll have something else to complain about.

 

From what I've seen, even the 80-82 trucks had D7TE castings. By then, they were already phasing out the 351M/400, so many of the blocks used in the 1980-1982 trucks had cast dates from 1978 to 1979.

 

Oh, lucky you..........

 

Is there any drawbacks/advantages to having a 208 compared to a 203/205?

 

Yes, the 208 is lighter, but that's where the advantages end. The NP208 has a chain drive setup, while the NP203/205 are gear driven. Chains stretch over time, which leads to slack, and a very noisy 4x4 setup. This is just one reason why gear driven t-cases are so desirable.

Also, the NP208 has an aluminum case, which is great for getting cracks when hit by tree limbs. The NP203/205 cases are made of cast iron (think engine blocks), and are HEAVY! They utilize a bracket that bolts to the frame to help support the weight of the transfer case. The NP208 just floats off of the transmission.

 

Ah, I see now.

Maybe I should get one for my truck. Lol.