Hey all

Just bought a 1989 F-350 Crew Cab long bed. The odometer only has 5 digits, but it is *supposed* to be 57,000 original miles on it.

I have an aluminum plate with the VIN on it that I found in the owner's manual like a bookmark. I'm trying to figure out if that plate was what identified the engine VIN. It's pristine - doesn't look a day old. Similar to but not the same shape & info as the one on the dash, although the VIN of course is the same.

I don't know where to look for the VIN otherwise, and Google is of no help other than to say it's at the front of the engine block. I don't see it.

VIN is 2FTJW35G4KCB08921

That plate matches what's on the driver's door and the title.

My goal is to confirm I have the original engine first.

 

The VIN is not stamped on the engine. That process was abandoned years ago.

 

I found some sort of adhesive on the back of the aluminum VIN plate. It came from somewhere on the truck, so I thought I would try to match it up with wherever it came from. No rivets on it, just remnant of glue on the back.

Any other means of ensuring I have the original engine?

 

Sounds like the plate you found was the warranty plate (card) that you got back then with a new truck.

There is a drawing number stamped on the bottom of the block near the starter that is cast into the block. This will only get you to a year or so of the casting.

Also sometimes you can get some information off the sticker that is on the rocker cover if it is still there.

 

Do you still have the VIN plate affixed to the dashboard? It's visible through the base of the windshield on the driver's side.

 

@Lead Head
Yes the VIN in the dash is still there.

@subford
I will look in both spots.

 

I found a couple stamps on the engine. This one is from the left side of the engine.

Truck engine markings

 

That looks like a 1987 Intake casting drawing number for a 460 engine.

 

How common would an 87 casting be for an 89 model year?

I am starting to de-grease the engine enough to see some other details.

 

It's an engineering number, not a birth date.

 

@mrollings53
I understand it's a designation as opposed to a unique identifier or date label. I was simply trying to determine if a part manufactured likely in 87 would be used in 89 or if that was unusual.

Sounds like it's totally plausible.

 

Yes the 1989 460 would use this part with the 87 date on it.
Besides if the engine was replaced they would more than likely use this part again on the new engine.

 

So far, I see little to lead me to believe it has been altered. The only sign I see is the presence of R134 vs the original refrigerant type + a replacement alternator.


Remanufactured alternator


R134 retrofit

 

And here's a photo of the other side of the engine. Hard to get the phone in there for a decent shot.


More engine markings

 

When the number starts out will tell the year it was first used on a truck.
E7??-????-?? = 1987
E8 = 1988
E9 = 1989
F0 = 1990 and so on.