I'm well aware of the pitfalls of using the engine block casting data as a method of trying to determine information about the origin of the engine once it's been pulled from a vehicle. I'm also aware of the process of how an engine is cast, assembled and installed into a vehicle.

Here is the original question asked:

"Hi, I was hoping that someone could decipher my engine block code..I am trying to take the block down to the States to exchange it for a rebuilt and customs needs to know the year it was built. The code is D7TE-A-2-B. I am hoping to be able to explain the code to their satisfaction so I can get my 78 Bronco back on the road before winter. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks"

While the casting code will not suffice, the date codes on the block should be sufficient to provide an answer to the Customs Service which was the point of my post.

 

D7TE-6015-A2B = 1977/79 351M/400

 

 

The above is the block casting number, not the date code.

The date code will be similar to these two examples: 8A15 / 7M21.

8A15: January (A) 15, 1978 (8) // 7M21: December (M) 21, 1977 (7).

A is January, B is February, etc. The letter I is skipped.

 

I NEED TO IDENTIFY THESE TWO MOTORS. IVE GOT THE CASTINGS OFF THE SIDE. BOTH AT ONE POINT WERE IN MY 79 BRONCO AND IM TIRED OF THE MAYBE ITS A 400 MAYBE ITS A 351M D7TE-A-2-B IS ONE AND D4AE-B2A IS THE OTHER. THE SECOND ALSO HAS 4LI5 UNDER IT ANY IDEAS...? <!-- / message --><!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: ad_showthread_firstpost_sig --><!-- END TEMPLATE: ad_showthread_firstpost_sig -->

 

"Many people would like to know of an easy way to tell the
difference between a 351M and a 400. Since the crankshaft
is the main component that determines whether the engine
is a 351M or a 400, the only reliable way to identify an
M-block engine as either a 351M or a 400 is to verify the
crankshaft casting ID code. This requires, at a minimum,
removing the oil pan to view the crankshaft where the
casting ID code appears."

M-Block 351M/400 Parts Reference

 

the engine from the 77 that would be the d7 d 70 and the year 7 it almost like mying I have the 351m engine and is has big block bellhousting not a small block

 

You do realize your answering a question that was asked 16 years ago.

 

Better late than never...…………………...

 

All I can say is wow, what a throwback. ..it's nice to see people are still around.

 

HUH ?? Punctuation goes a LONG way in letting someone know what the hell you're asking. Correct Spelling also helps too.