new engine old truck
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Freshman User
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new engine old truck
Hi:
I just picked up a '69 F100. The lady I bought it from said her husband had put a new engine in it a couple years ago. It's a 302 but that's about all I know.
How do I go about figuring out what vintage the engine is? I assume there are serial numbers on it or something like that. I'm having some work done on the carb right now (the electronic choke wasn't working and the vacuum lines weren't hooked up) but other than that it seems to run well.
Also, this is probably a dumb question, but can I assume that the mileage on the odometer (32,500) is the same as the miles on the engine? I figure no, but thought I'd ask.
I guess I'm just trying to get a sense of how much life is in the engine. I could do a compression test but apart from that ...?
Thanks
I just picked up a '69 F100. The lady I bought it from said her husband had put a new engine in it a couple years ago. It's a 302 but that's about all I know.
How do I go about figuring out what vintage the engine is? I assume there are serial numbers on it or something like that. I'm having some work done on the carb right now (the electronic choke wasn't working and the vacuum lines weren't hooked up) but other than that it seems to run well.
Also, this is probably a dumb question, but can I assume that the mileage on the odometer (32,500) is the same as the miles on the engine? I figure no, but thought I'd ask.
I guess I'm just trying to get a sense of how much life is in the engine. I could do a compression test but apart from that ...?
Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Magnolia, Delaware
There's a pad on the engine block right above the starter. There are two numbers, one is the casting number for the block and the other is the date code that the engine was cast. The starter needs to be removed to see the numbers. If the engine is orginal (never been torn apart) then the the date code on the intake manifold would be useful to tell you what year it is. Codes are also on the cylinder heads. Hope this helps.
Kevin
Kevin
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From: Houston TX
There are some lists on the web...But in general, and I "think" this applies to most older engines, the first letter/numbers tell the date when built. The first letter is the decade. C=60's, D=70's,E=80's, etc...The second number is the year in that decade. IE: if your block said C8?????, the block would be a 68. This is what my original block said. But I bought a rebuilt engine for it. It's a D2???????. That means it's a 72. One of the letters will tell if it's a truck engine, or car. IE: you can tell the difference in one from a truck, or one from a galaxy. If yours is original, the first two letters should be C9. I doubt the miles is the same as the engine. Myself, I would give it a through going over and decide on it's merits. The amount of miles doesn't mean much. If it doesn't smoke, burns little oil, doesn't foul plugs, and they look the normal shade of tan, and has no knocking or valve noise, I'd give it a clean bill of health and drive it. She's probably right. You most likely have a nice engine if it's only been two years. You know it's got at least 132k. Maybe 232k...If the engine seems fresh, it probably is. 
MK
MK
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From: Thomson, GA
You couldnt get a 302 in 69, they werent avalible untill 70, so I would think it was a 360, and if you got really lucky, a 390. Think about it, why would you build a 302 for a truck if it had an FE to begin with, other than maybe milage. Count the valve cover bolts. 5 = 360 or 390 and 6 = 302 or 351. Start there.
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From: Black Hills of SD
BB are you sure the 302 didn't come out in 68, well that is when the cars got them anyway, and yes it was mid year. Maybe they didn't tool the pickup line for them until later, I actually can't remember seeing a 302 in anything older than a 70, but I haven't seen everything. ( I thought I had until I came to FTE )
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Sorry 'bout any confusion, but I checked the VIN and the original engine was a V6 (240?).
It's got a 302 in it now but it's newer - I'll check the casting code when I get a chance.
The transmission code in the VIN is "A". Anyone know where I can find what the transmission codes mean? It's got a four speed in it now.
Thanks
It's got a 302 in it now but it's newer - I'll check the casting code when I get a chance.
The transmission code in the VIN is "A". Anyone know where I can find what the transmission codes mean? It's got a four speed in it now.
Thanks