hello all, I want to buy a big block engine but the seller docent know if it is a 370 or a 460 how can I tell which one is it I dont want to buy a 370, a have some pics of the engine

 

From Paul Kane:

The cylinder block's engineering revision is on the side of the engine, behind the starter motor and reads vertically. If that number is D9TE-BB, then it's a 370.

Some clues that it is a passenger car/light truck (non-commercial) 429/460 engine:

• C8VE, C9VE, D0VE, D1VE, or D9TE-AB cylinder block
• Aluminum timing cover
• Rearward collecting exhaust manifolds
• Typical front or rear sump oil pan
• 1.375 diamter crankshaft snout

Some clues that it is a commercial 370/429 engine:

• A 370/429 commercial truck engine would be a D9TE-AB block (429 commercial) or D9TE-BB block (370 Commercial)
• Cast iron timing cover
• Center-collecting exhaust manifolds
• "Full-length" rear sump oil pan
• 1.750 diameter crankshaft snout
• (Other exterior engine accessories that you ain't never seen on a passenger car engine)

Note that between the two above identification pointers there is some overlap, such as the D9TE-AB block being utilized for both the 429 Commercial engine and the 460 light truck engine, so be sure to check snout diameter, oil pan configuration, timing cover material, etc.

 

that might be a clue. however it's not a giveway.some early 429/460 engines could have the older FE,larger 1.84 crankshaft pilot or even 1.25!

such is the case with my '68 429 in my t-bird.this was important info to know,when i ordered my high stall converter recently.

"C-6 1971-91 289,302,351,400,429,460 w/ 1.375" crank pilot
C-6 1971-91 with 1.250" crank pilot
C-6 1966-84 360,390,406,427,428,(1967-71 429) cid with 1.850 crank pilot

NOTE: 1969-71 429 & 460 could have 1.250" or 1.850" pilot"

 

For what it's worth - my observations:

It has EGR on it, cars got EGR in 1973, trucks later.
It has a 2 barrel carb on it, I think that rules out a 460, I've never seen a 2 barrel 460. 2 barrel 429, yeah a few. And I think 370's had 2 barrels.

It has a funky "water box" type of water outlet on it. That rules out cars, and many trucks.
We had a discussion here on FTE, within in the last year, with someone who had the rare funky water box, and was trying to figure it out, had a leak and needed another one. IIRC, it was a commercial truck, a 370 if I'm remembering right.

My model year 1970 Lincolns had the big pilots.

EDIT: I found it! Everything you ever wanted to know about funky 370 thermostat housing boxes!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...housing-2.html

 

what 429 engine would come with a 2 barrel carb? must of been the commercial truck 429? are the 370 and commercial 429 the same basic engines? i know nothing about either of these.

 

At a minimum, there were full-size cars that were available with the 429 with a 2 barrel on it, after the big dive in compression ratio from 10.5 to 8.5 or so for the 1972 model year. My grandmother had a 1972 Mercury Marquis that she bought new with one. Why? I don't know. Did not make much sense to me. Maybe an attempt to "better" gas mileage, or the illusion of it, for sales? Maybe an attempt to counteract GM, which had the Chevy 350-derived 400 with a 2 barrel on it as a low additional cost option? (zoom zoom, yeah...)
I worked with a guy back in the late 70's that had a 1972 Impala 400, said it was a big waste, the only difference in real performance from the equivalent 350 he said was the "400" proudly displayed on each front fender!
We tried it out, his Impala 400 was no quicker up that expressway ramp than my 1971 Impala with 350 2 barrel. Basically same cars, just different front lights and tail light design. I stayed on his rear bumper, told him later that I thought I might have to push

I thought some of the commercial 429's may have had a 2 barrel too, but I had so little contact with those, I wouldn't say for sure.

Either way, from what I see in the pics, I think the engine the OP is looking at is a commercial truck engine, most likely a 370. The 370 is like "the missing member of the 385 engine family". If I was looking for a 460, I'd forget that one and move on.

 

thanks all for the info I went to today to the engine place and it was a 370 so I think I will build a 289 for my project

 

There were 429 2bbl carbs in the late 60s, maybe into early '70s, and I am thinking Mercury. The 4bbl carb was an insurance rate trigger in those days. It was also seen by the typical uptight middle-aged buyer of those boats as a toilet down which gas and money would be flushed with each application of the throttle. So, the 429 2bbl is born for the skin-flint market.*



*comments based on my dad and some of his friends and certain other relatives. Your relatives may vary. Premium Fuel required, and note the 390 had regular fuel and premium fuel versions, Ford for the cheap stuff, Mercury for the high priced spread.

To the OP: TOLD YOU SO!!! Good luck with the 289. One of my favorites as I abused a couple for about 10 years in my Mustang.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post16634204

Having said that, good for you to double check.

 

I've got a 429 from a '69 LTD that came with a stock 2 barrel carb. It also has the GM-type of starter that has the solenoid built onto the starter, but also has the solenoid switch that was mounted on the firewall.

 

FWIW, my 1971 Mercury Colony Park wagon came with a 429 2V. The only difference on these was the actual intake and carburetor, everything else was the same as the 4V engine. Not great on gas mileage or performance.