Block casting numbers
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4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2003
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Block casting numbers
I bought was is supposed to be a 78 400 engine and found these numbers down on the block where the starter goes. D7TE-A3B , 6M13. Does anyone know where to reference these numbers to see if this is a true 78 400. Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: (near) Denver USA
All M-block (351M/400) truck engines (MY1977 through MY1982) have a block casting ID code that starts with D7TE.
That engine may have been installed in a '78 vehicle at some point before you acquired it, but it is unlikely that it was originally built for a '78 vehicle because the casting date (6M13) is right in the middle of the 1977 model year.
Another clue is the engine build date, which is stamped into the front face of the timing chain housing, using standard Ford date coding. The build date is the date on which the engine block was originally assembled with other components to make a complete engine. It is usually within 7-10 days after the casting date.
That engine may have been installed in a '78 vehicle at some point before you acquired it, but it is unlikely that it was originally built for a '78 vehicle because the casting date (6M13) is right in the middle of the 1977 model year.
Another clue is the engine build date, which is stamped into the front face of the timing chain housing, using standard Ford date coding. The build date is the date on which the engine block was originally assembled with other components to make a complete engine. It is usually within 7-10 days after the casting date.
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From: kentucky
Good luck,
I located my block numbers, D4AE B2A 5H21. I called local ford dealers and really got the run around. Sorry sir, we cant help you, we need the plate numbers. Well, I know its a 1974, 400 block. I pulled the oil pan off and collected the crank numbers. 5MAB D1A-E-AA, this is a 76 through 79 crank for a 400. The hood on the 1979 F-250 4x4 Supercab says its a 6.6 400. The vin on the door says it came with a 460..? "contridicting". The one owner has died and no one seems to know who rebuilt the engine and what it came out of. I noticed it has a roller timing chain, new pistons, ect. I bought a chilton manual and that didnt help with the numbers either. This truck I bought for $2500.00 is my dream truck. Why is it so complicating to find out its history?
I located my block numbers, D4AE B2A 5H21. I called local ford dealers and really got the run around. Sorry sir, we cant help you, we need the plate numbers. Well, I know its a 1974, 400 block. I pulled the oil pan off and collected the crank numbers. 5MAB D1A-E-AA, this is a 76 through 79 crank for a 400. The hood on the 1979 F-250 4x4 Supercab says its a 6.6 400. The vin on the door says it came with a 460..? "contridicting". The one owner has died and no one seems to know who rebuilt the engine and what it came out of. I noticed it has a roller timing chain, new pistons, ect. I bought a chilton manual and that didnt help with the numbers either. This truck I bought for $2500.00 is my dream truck. Why is it so complicating to find out its history?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: PacNW
Either the door has been replaced with one from a 4X2 or you're reading the VIN wrong because 1979 F-series 4X4s didn't come with 460s from the factory. That engine is definitely a 400 cast Aug 21 1975 so my guess would be the P.O. traded in the original engine as a core on a rebuilt engine. Some remanufacturers epoxy a plate to the block with data on it. You might try looking for that.
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From: kentucky
Bill,
youre right, I read The 80's info sheet. The vin is X26SKDE1266. I take it that the X is for supercab, 26 should be 25 because its an F-250. S is the 400 V8. K is C-6 auto transmission or Kansas Mo, and so on. As for the Blck casting numbers Buldog, your local parts store should have an engine book that will Id your block. I went and my block was D4ae B2a 5H21. all it showed was D4ae wich showed to be a 1974 400 block. Where are you guys getting the exact dates, or how do ya read it?
5 = 1975?
H= august?
21= 21st day?
D=1970's
4=1974
AE???
youre right, I read The 80's info sheet. The vin is X26SKDE1266. I take it that the X is for supercab, 26 should be 25 because its an F-250. S is the 400 V8. K is C-6 auto transmission or Kansas Mo, and so on. As for the Blck casting numbers Buldog, your local parts store should have an engine book that will Id your block. I went and my block was D4ae B2a 5H21. all it showed was D4ae wich showed to be a 1974 400 block. Where are you guys getting the exact dates, or how do ya read it?
5 = 1975?
H= august?
21= 21st day?
D=1970's
4=1974
AE???
Posting Guru
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From: PacNW
You've got the date right. 5 is for '75, H is the 8th letter of the alphabet and corresponds with August and 21 is the 21st day. D is for the 70's, 4 is for '74, the A stands for Full Size Ford, and E is for Engine. The B2A is a revision level code for that part.
You've decoded the VIN correctly as well, it's a 1979 F-250 SuperCab 4X4 with a 400 assembled in KC.
You can find a 70's Ford VIN decoder at this site:
Ford Vin Decoder
You've decoded the VIN correctly as well, it's a 1979 F-250 SuperCab 4X4 with a 400 assembled in KC.
You can find a 70's Ford VIN decoder at this site:
Ford Vin Decoder
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From: kentucky
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From: British Columbia, Canada
Block Code
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
Moderator
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Have you actually read this entire thread before adding to it? Pay particular attention to
Posting #3.
Also, read http://web.archive.org/web/200712161...s/parts01.html
Posting #3.
Also, read http://web.archive.org/web/200712161...s/parts01.html
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Block casting numbers are next to WORTHLESS for ID'ing what size the engine is.
FoMoCo dealers cannot help, you wanna know why?
Because it clearly states in the every Ford car/truck parts catalog that block casting numbers CANNOT be cross referenced to actual Ford part numbers.
The 351M was introduced in 1975 Passenger Cars, used thru 1979.
The 351M was used in 1977/79 F100/350's / 1980/82 F150/350's / 1978/82 Bronco's / 1980/82 Econolines.
The 400 was introduced in 1971 Passenger Cars, used thru 1979.
The 400 was used in 1977/79 F100/350's / 1980/82 F150/350's / 1980/82 Econolines / 1978/82 Bronco's.
Is it a 351M or a 400? Measure the stroke: 351M = 3.50" // 400 = 4.00"
FoMoCo dealers cannot help, you wanna know why?
Because it clearly states in the every Ford car/truck parts catalog that block casting numbers CANNOT be cross referenced to actual Ford part numbers.
The 351M was introduced in 1975 Passenger Cars, used thru 1979.
The 351M was used in 1977/79 F100/350's / 1980/82 F150/350's / 1978/82 Bronco's / 1980/82 Econolines.
The 400 was introduced in 1971 Passenger Cars, used thru 1979.
The 400 was used in 1977/79 F100/350's / 1980/82 F150/350's / 1980/82 Econolines / 1978/82 Bronco's.
Is it a 351M or a 400? Measure the stroke: 351M = 3.50" // 400 = 4.00"
Posting Guru
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From: PacNW
You're going to need more than the casting code to tell the date of manufacture. You need the casting date which is located below the casting code. If you review the first several posts it will tell you what to look for.
Moderator
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Bubba's M Block Workshop - Clevelands Forever!
Follow the link to the archive (which will be the same link I posted above but this method
may work better for some people).
Follow the link to the archive (which will be the same link I posted above but this method
may work better for some people).
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Between the time the bare block was first cast at the foundry, and the complete engine was installed in the truck could be as long as SIX MONTHS!
The bare block was cast, then seasoned. Then the block was shipped to Cleveland where it was assembled.
From there, the complete engine was shipped to an assembly plant, where it was "banked" until needed.
Back then Ford had assembly plants in Ontario Canada, and in CA, MO, TX, MN, MI, OH, KY, GA, NJ, VA.