Notices
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Engine Identification

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 20, 2015 | 12:19 AM
  #1  
63F-100's Avatar
63F-100
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Engine Identification

Hello i have a 1963 f-100 but the engine was replaced a few years later with a much bigger engine. i found C8ME-A stamped on the engine block itself. I know it stands for a 1968 Mercury Engine but i still need help identifying the exact engine size. Are there any for sure easy ways to determine the size?
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2015 | 12:24 AM
  #2  
85e150's Avatar
85e150
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,503
Likes: 2,820
Club FTE Gold Member
How many bolts in the valve covers? Do the valve covers go over the edges of the intake? If you have 5 bolts and the covers go over the intake, that's an FE.

There is no easy way to tell displacement externally. You can measure the stroke with a wire through a plug hole. IF it's a '68 Merc, it is probably a 390. However that's a big "IF".

Check the valve covers, count up the bolts and let's go from there.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2015 | 12:32 AM
  #3  
63F-100's Avatar
63F-100
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I am already assuming it is a 390 due to its size and the year, but yes the valve covers do have 5 bolts and go over the intake.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2015 | 12:31 PM
  #4  
351Cleveland C4's Avatar
351Cleveland C4
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Is it a 2 or 4 barrel? Stock or aftermarket?
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2015 | 01:35 PM
  #5  
63F-100's Avatar
63F-100
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
It is a 2 barrel and im pretty sure it is stock.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2015 | 05:16 PM
  #6  
85e150's Avatar
85e150
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,503
Likes: 2,820
Club FTE Gold Member
IF it was in a 1968 Mercury, IF the 2BBL is original, then it has to be a 390. Most were 9.5 "Regular Fuel" motors, but Mercury did offer a 10.5 "Premium Fuel" 2bbl 390.

In the Mercury line in 1968 there would be 390, maybe 427, and maybe 428. No 2 bbls on 427 or 428 motors.

Beyond this--your question: "Are there any for sure easy ways to determine the size?", can only be answered by tearing it down and measuring the bore and stroke. You can measure the stroke externally with a wire or dowel, but the bore is an "open it up" proposition.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2015 | 05:41 PM
  #7  
63F-100's Avatar
63F-100
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Alright thank you i already had an idea that it was a 390, and this has helped me narrow it down more and at least now i can play with it more.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2015 | 05:47 PM
  #8  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
C8ME-6015-A = 1968 block casting number, pertains to both Ford & Mercury. Could be a 390 or 428, but the only way to verify is by measuring the stroke.

390 = 3.78" / 428 = 3.98."

428 uses the same harmonic balancer as the 390, but the flywheel or flexplate is 428 ONLY!
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

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

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Glxy66
401, 477, & 534 SD Engines
1
Mar 9, 2012 11:41 PM
diesel77
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Sep 14, 2009 02:44 PM
jeff2761
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Apr 10, 2007 03:55 PM
whiteyford
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Mar 16, 2004 05:39 PM
Kodabear999
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jul 25, 2001 07:37 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:38 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE