I have a 1972 Ford F100 with a 360 engine in it. I have a couple of questions regarding the engine. First of all, is there any way I can tell if it is the original engine? Or even get a close estimate on the casting number off the block?

Also, it has been rebuilt in the time that I have had it in my possession, however, I have water and oil mixing somehow. I've changed the oil and it still mixes and the radiator does hold water very long. What could this possibly be? I realize it could be several different things but I am hoping you all can help me narrow it down.

If I can determine that it is the original engine then I am going to do everything I can to save it.

Also, if I find that the block is busted or something along those lines, what engine would you all recommend?

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

sounds like a head gasket , no idea on the rest of the stuff

 

I'm not too familiar with the internal designs of the FE. But a head gasket would definitely cause the problem.

Worst case, block cracked, replace with warmed up 390FE...

 

run a compression check. that should let you know if you have a bad head gasket. Which is probably what the problem is.

If the compression is the same on all cylinders, get ahold off a cooling system pressure checker and see if you can identify where the leak is.

 

++ on the head gasket. No way to tell if that engine came in the truck but it is a correct installed engine for that model truck.


John

 

First off, check your VIN. If you have a 2WD 1972 F100 that was built with a 360, the VIN will start with F10Y, with the Y designating a 360.

Ford never numbers matched things, but you can look at the casting number for a date on the engine and I'd also expect it to say TE for Truck Engine somewhere. The casting number is on the lower right rear by the starter. You'll probably have to do a little gunk removal first. It'll start with a letter and then a number, most likely a D for 1970 decade and then a 2 for 1972, but it could also be something from earlier like a D1 for '71, D0 for '70, or even possibly a C9 for '69.

If your VIN has a Y and the engine casting number starts with something like a D2TE, it's probably your original engine.

 

360/390 share the same block, the bore is the same (4.05"), the stroke is different.

Stroke: 360 = 3.50" / 390 = 3.78."

4th digit of the VIN is the engine code, 1968/72 F100/350:

A = 240 I-6 / B = 300 I-6 / G = 302 2V (1969/72 F100 only) / H = 390 2V (2WD only) / Y = 360 2V (2WD & 4WD).

1968/71 360/390 could have a block casting number prefix of C8TE, 1972 could have C8TE or D2TE.

1968/72 360/390 cylinder head casting number prefix: C8AE .. 1972 would be D2TE

Casting date code will begin with a number.. the only letter will be the 2nd digit, 3rd and 4th digits (4th if applicable) will be numbers.

4 digit code: Similar to this: 2A24 = January (A) 24, 1972 (2). A = January, M = December, the letter I is skipped.

3 digit code: 2A3 = 3rd week (3) of January (A), 1972 (2).