1970 F500 Decode Please
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 68
Likes: 5
1970 F500 Decode Please
Hello everyone,
I'm looking at a '73 F500 that's for sale and have the door tag but having a hard time decoding it for engine wise. From what I gathered so far it has the 330 engine, but I get confused if these trucks all got the FT engines or if some got the FE version. I'd like to stay away from the FT if I can.
Thanks for the help!
F50CCH90757
I'm looking at a '73 F500 that's for sale and have the door tag but having a hard time decoding it for engine wise. From what I gathered so far it has the 330 engine, but I get confused if these trucks all got the FT engines or if some got the FE version. I'd like to stay away from the FT if I can.
Thanks for the help!
F50CCH90757
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,549
Likes: 331
From: Harned, Ky
I can’t decode your vin but as easy was those engines are to swap around I go by visual look to determine if it is a medium duty FT or heavy duty FT
Regardless it’s still going to be a FT engine, post a photo of the engine showing the water pump and distributor, those are the easy identifying parts between the MD and HD engines
Regardless it’s still going to be a FT engine, post a photo of the engine showing the water pump and distributor, those are the easy identifying parts between the MD and HD engines
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 68
Likes: 5
I can’t decode your vin but as easy was those engines are to swap around I go by visual look to determine if it is a medium duty FT or heavy duty FT
Regardless it’s still going to be a FT engine, post a photo of the engine showing the water pump and distributor, those are the easy identifying parts between the MD and HD engines
Regardless it’s still going to be a FT engine, post a photo of the engine showing the water pump and distributor, those are the easy identifying parts between the MD and HD engines
Last edited by Dirt Wagon; Mar 10, 2026 at 05:30 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,527
Likes: 2,830
Welcome to FTE!
F50 = F500
C = 330 2V MD FT gas V8
C = Ontario Truck Plant
H90757 = 1970 numerical series, April 1970 production. (Does this tag match the title? What does the title say, or who told you '73?)
156 = 156 inch wheelbase
N = Dark Green
F504 = F500, 18,000 lbs GVWR
4 8
4 = Black Glendale/Kiwi Vinyl
8 = (when appearing with the "4") Cab and chassis vehicle, Standard Cab
A = New Process model 435 four speed transmission
42 = Rockwell model D-100 single speed rear axle, 13,000 lbs capacity, 6.20 ratio
No front axle code. Ford did not put the code there for standard axles from '64 to '69. Supposed to be a code there in '70 and later. Maybe they forgot..... Figure a Ford axle with at least 5,000 lbs capacity.
18000 = 18,000 lbs GVWR
164 3800 = 164 Certified Net HP @ 3800 RPM
21 = Atlanta District Sales Office
No special order number.
The FT engines interchange easily, as they all use the same single front mount off an iron front cover and the two mounts on each side of the bell housing. The t-stat housing on yours may indicate a swap to an HD or it may be OEM for the MD engine--I do not know.
You can't stay away from the FT in a medium truck. Since this is for sale, the question about model year might be a place to start.
With a 4 speed and a single speed rear axle, it will be a fine truck for light, local loads. Freeways, hills, freeways with hills, heavy loads, soft ground...not your friend in this truck.
F50 = F500
C = 330 2V MD FT gas V8
C = Ontario Truck Plant
H90757 = 1970 numerical series, April 1970 production. (Does this tag match the title? What does the title say, or who told you '73?)
156 = 156 inch wheelbase
N = Dark Green
F504 = F500, 18,000 lbs GVWR
4 8
4 = Black Glendale/Kiwi Vinyl
8 = (when appearing with the "4") Cab and chassis vehicle, Standard Cab
A = New Process model 435 four speed transmission
42 = Rockwell model D-100 single speed rear axle, 13,000 lbs capacity, 6.20 ratio
No front axle code. Ford did not put the code there for standard axles from '64 to '69. Supposed to be a code there in '70 and later. Maybe they forgot..... Figure a Ford axle with at least 5,000 lbs capacity.
18000 = 18,000 lbs GVWR
164 3800 = 164 Certified Net HP @ 3800 RPM
21 = Atlanta District Sales Office
No special order number.
The FT engines interchange easily, as they all use the same single front mount off an iron front cover and the two mounts on each side of the bell housing. The t-stat housing on yours may indicate a swap to an HD or it may be OEM for the MD engine--I do not know.
You can't stay away from the FT in a medium truck. Since this is for sale, the question about model year might be a place to start.
With a 4 speed and a single speed rear axle, it will be a fine truck for light, local loads. Freeways, hills, freeways with hills, heavy loads, soft ground...not your friend in this truck.
Last edited by 85e150; Mar 10, 2026 at 06:52 PM.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 275
From: Oak Harbor, Washington
No tach drive on the dist, kind of unusual.
Heater disconnected, probably for a reason.
Looks like the Autolite 2100, which matches a 330 MD.
Interesting brake booster check valve bypass, I haven't seen that done before.
Air cleaner snorkel should point to the passenger side. It's still got the flap so treat it kindly, that's getting rarer.
Wire nut alert! To the left of the brake master cylinder. Make sure that there's a fuse on the battery end of that wire, or expect some smoke under the hood someday.
4-spd/1-spd is going to limit your highway flexibility, but it'll still haul stuff.
That splice in the brake line, and esp. the line's routing, is sketchy. Steel brake lines should always be restrained, never hanging in air.
Manual steering!
Possibly a radiator that's been serviced, there's paint on the tank which isn't that common on a 55-year-old truck.
Anybody recognize the doodad on the driver's side of the radiator? Aux horn?
Dual springs on the accel linkage is not stock for '70 nor '73. Check the accel pedal hinge, they rust up. I had to take mine apart, ream the hinge and install a new rod for a pin.
There's the 300 Six [chuckle].
Funny, I can't see either of the OP's pictures in Firefox, only in Chrome. Just this thread, not others.
Heater disconnected, probably for a reason.
Looks like the Autolite 2100, which matches a 330 MD.
Interesting brake booster check valve bypass, I haven't seen that done before.
Air cleaner snorkel should point to the passenger side. It's still got the flap so treat it kindly, that's getting rarer.
Wire nut alert! To the left of the brake master cylinder. Make sure that there's a fuse on the battery end of that wire, or expect some smoke under the hood someday.
4-spd/1-spd is going to limit your highway flexibility, but it'll still haul stuff.
That splice in the brake line, and esp. the line's routing, is sketchy. Steel brake lines should always be restrained, never hanging in air.
Manual steering!
Possibly a radiator that's been serviced, there's paint on the tank which isn't that common on a 55-year-old truck.
Anybody recognize the doodad on the driver's side of the radiator? Aux horn?
Dual springs on the accel linkage is not stock for '70 nor '73. Check the accel pedal hinge, they rust up. I had to take mine apart, ream the hinge and install a new rod for a pin.
There's the 300 Six [chuckle].
Funny, I can't see either of the OP's pictures in Firefox, only in Chrome. Just this thread, not others.
Last edited by asavage; Mar 10, 2026 at 11:10 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,549
Likes: 331
From: Harned, Ky
Medium duty distributor, can’t see the water pump, looks like non original carburetor and spacer, volosity governor appears to be missing
Unsupported brake line running down next the the exhaust manifold and bypassed brake boost check valve are instant red flags on those trucks
No sure what the hauling plans are but that light duty 13k lb single speed rear axle is going to limit you to 5 tons and no off road use in soft ground
A FE can be installed in place of a FT by using a MD FT’s timing cover, the big issue is the heads and intake, FT exhaust manifolds will not work on FE heads
Unsupported brake line running down next the the exhaust manifold and bypassed brake boost check valve are instant red flags on those trucks
No sure what the hauling plans are but that light duty 13k lb single speed rear axle is going to limit you to 5 tons and no off road use in soft ground
A FE can be installed in place of a FT by using a MD FT’s timing cover, the big issue is the heads and intake, FT exhaust manifolds will not work on FE heads
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 68
Likes: 5
Welcome to FTE!
F50 = F500
C = 330 2V MD FT gas V8
C = Ontario Truck Plant
H90757 = 1970 numerical series, April 1970 production. (Does this tag match the title? What does the title say, or who told you '73?)
156 = 156 inch wheelbase
N = Dark Green
F504 = F500, 18,000 lbs GVWR
4 8
4 = Black Glendale/Kiwi Vinyl
8 = (when appearing with the "4") Cab and chassis vehicle, Standard Cab
A = New Process model 435 four speed transmission
42 = Rockwell model D-100 single speed rear axle, 13,000 lbs capacity, 6.20 ratio
No front axle code. Ford did not put the code there for standard axles from '64 to '69. Supposed to be a code there in '70 and later. Maybe they forgot..... Figure a Ford axle with at least 5,000 lbs capacity.
18000 = 18,000 lbs GVWR
164 3800 = 164 Certified Net HP @ 3800 RPM
21 = Atlanta District Sales Office
No special order number.
The FT engines interchange easily, as they all use the same single front mount off an iron front cover and the two mounts on each side of the bell housing. The t-stat housing on yours may indicate a swap to an HD or it may be OEM for the MD engine--I do not know.
You can't stay away from the FT in a medium truck. Since this is for sale, the question about model year might be a place to start.
With a 4 speed and a single speed rear axle, it will be a fine truck for light, local loads. Freeways, hills, freeways with hills, heavy loads, soft ground...not your friend in this truck.
F50 = F500
C = 330 2V MD FT gas V8
C = Ontario Truck Plant
H90757 = 1970 numerical series, April 1970 production. (Does this tag match the title? What does the title say, or who told you '73?)
156 = 156 inch wheelbase
N = Dark Green
F504 = F500, 18,000 lbs GVWR
4 8
4 = Black Glendale/Kiwi Vinyl
8 = (when appearing with the "4") Cab and chassis vehicle, Standard Cab
A = New Process model 435 four speed transmission
42 = Rockwell model D-100 single speed rear axle, 13,000 lbs capacity, 6.20 ratio
No front axle code. Ford did not put the code there for standard axles from '64 to '69. Supposed to be a code there in '70 and later. Maybe they forgot..... Figure a Ford axle with at least 5,000 lbs capacity.
18000 = 18,000 lbs GVWR
164 3800 = 164 Certified Net HP @ 3800 RPM
21 = Atlanta District Sales Office
No special order number.
The FT engines interchange easily, as they all use the same single front mount off an iron front cover and the two mounts on each side of the bell housing. The t-stat housing on yours may indicate a swap to an HD or it may be OEM for the MD engine--I do not know.
You can't stay away from the FT in a medium truck. Since this is for sale, the question about model year might be a place to start.
With a 4 speed and a single speed rear axle, it will be a fine truck for light, local loads. Freeways, hills, freeways with hills, heavy loads, soft ground...not your friend in this truck.
No tach drive on the dist, kind of unusual.
Heater disconnected, probably for a reason.
Looks like the Autolite 2100, which matches a 330 MD.
Interesting brake booster check valve bypass, I haven't seen that done before.
Air cleaner snorkel should point to the passenger side. It's still got the flap so treat it kindly, that's getting rarer.
Wire nut alert! To the left of the brake master cylinder. Make sure that there's a fuse on the battery end of that wire, or expect some smoke under the hood someday.
4-spd/1-spd is going to limit your highway flexibility, but it'll still haul stuff.
That splice in the brake line, and esp. the line's routing, is sketchy. Steel brake lines should always be restrained, never hanging in air.
Manual steering!
Possibly a radiator that's been serviced, there's paint on the tank which isn't that common on a 55-year-old truck.
Anybody recognize the doodad on the driver's side of the radiator? Aux horn?
Dual springs on the accel linkage is not stock for '70 nor '73. Check the accel pedal hinge, they rust up. I had to take mine apart, ream the hinge and install a new rod for a pin.
There's the 300 Six [chuckle].
Funny, I can't see either of the OP's pictures in Firefox, only in Chrome. Just this thread, not others.
Heater disconnected, probably for a reason.
Looks like the Autolite 2100, which matches a 330 MD.
Interesting brake booster check valve bypass, I haven't seen that done before.
Air cleaner snorkel should point to the passenger side. It's still got the flap so treat it kindly, that's getting rarer.
Wire nut alert! To the left of the brake master cylinder. Make sure that there's a fuse on the battery end of that wire, or expect some smoke under the hood someday.
4-spd/1-spd is going to limit your highway flexibility, but it'll still haul stuff.
That splice in the brake line, and esp. the line's routing, is sketchy. Steel brake lines should always be restrained, never hanging in air.
Manual steering!
Possibly a radiator that's been serviced, there's paint on the tank which isn't that common on a 55-year-old truck.
Anybody recognize the doodad on the driver's side of the radiator? Aux horn?
Dual springs on the accel linkage is not stock for '70 nor '73. Check the accel pedal hinge, they rust up. I had to take mine apart, ream the hinge and install a new rod for a pin.
There's the 300 Six [chuckle].
Funny, I can't see either of the OP's pictures in Firefox, only in Chrome. Just this thread, not others.
I posted pic through Firefox so it's strange how it didn't load up using that browser.
Medium duty distributor, can’t see the water pump, looks like non original carburetor and spacer, volosity governor appears to be missing
Unsupported brake line running down next the the exhaust manifold and bypassed brake boost check valve are instant red flags on those trucks
No sure what the hauling plans are but that light duty 13k lb single speed rear axle is going to limit you to 5 tons and no off road use in soft ground
A FE can be installed in place of a FT by using a MD FT’s timing cover, the big issue is the heads and intake, FT exhaust manifolds will not work on FE heads
Unsupported brake line running down next the the exhaust manifold and bypassed brake boost check valve are instant red flags on those trucks
No sure what the hauling plans are but that light duty 13k lb single speed rear axle is going to limit you to 5 tons and no off road use in soft ground
A FE can be installed in place of a FT by using a MD FT’s timing cover, the big issue is the heads and intake, FT exhaust manifolds will not work on FE heads
The one cool thing about the truck is that it has a set of 19.5" Alcoa aluminum wheels. I've searched and know what a pain it is to find a good set of wheels for these trucks are so it really stood out to me.
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FTE Community Team
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 275
From: Oak Harbor, Washington
The Alcoas change the cost/benefit calculation a lot, as does what I assume is a hoist from the extra levers in the cab.
You won't gain much by swapping the intake to a 4V; these are 7.1:1 compression engines and their heavy pistons do not like being rev'd much above 3800 (they crack) which is one reason they came from Ford with a governor, which 'stroked says is missing. The FE intake won't work on an FE due to the exhaust crossover passage. Low compression plus rev limited means it is what it is. Unless the engine is broken or you intend to run it a lot, leaving it as-is is a great way to use it. If you swap to an FE you'll need to customize the exhaust as well as the FT exhaust manifolds won't work on FE heads (crossover passage again), but you can use the FT's timing cover to convert an FE to the truck and have a front motor mount.
The 330 MD didn't get the better FT parts that its larger brethen did, so expect valve seat recession/pocketed valves if you're low on power, rather than a lack of 4V. A valve job with hardened seats installed is a good investment. The 330 HD, the 361/391 got hardened seats and valves from Ford, but not the MD.
You won't gain much by swapping the intake to a 4V; these are 7.1:1 compression engines and their heavy pistons do not like being rev'd much above 3800 (they crack) which is one reason they came from Ford with a governor, which 'stroked says is missing. The FE intake won't work on an FE due to the exhaust crossover passage. Low compression plus rev limited means it is what it is. Unless the engine is broken or you intend to run it a lot, leaving it as-is is a great way to use it. If you swap to an FE you'll need to customize the exhaust as well as the FT exhaust manifolds won't work on FE heads (crossover passage again), but you can use the FT's timing cover to convert an FE to the truck and have a front motor mount.
The 330 MD didn't get the better FT parts that its larger brethen did, so expect valve seat recession/pocketed valves if you're low on power, rather than a lack of 4V. A valve job with hardened seats installed is a good investment. The 330 HD, the 361/391 got hardened seats and valves from Ford, but not the MD.
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Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 68
Likes: 5
The Alcoas change the cost/benefit calculation a lot, as does what I assume is a hoist from the extra levers in the cab.
You won't gain much by swapping the intake to a 4V; these are 7.1:1 compression engines and their heavy pistons do not like being rev'd much above 3800 (they crack) which is one reason they came from Ford with a governor, which 'stroked says is missing. The FE intake won't work on an FE due to the exhaust crossover passage. Low compression plus rev limited means it is what it is. Unless the engine is broken or you intend to run it a lot, leaving it as-is is a great way to use it. If you swap to an FE you'll need to customize the exhaust as well as the FT exhaust manifolds won't work on FE heads (crossover passage again), but you can use the FT's timing cover to convert an FE to the truck and have a front motor mount.
The 330 MD didn't get the better FT parts that its larger brethen did, so expect valve seat recession/pocketed valves if you're low on power, rather than a lack of 4V. A valve job with hardened seats installed is a good investment. The 330 HD, the 361/391 got hardened seats and valves from Ford, but not the MD.
You won't gain much by swapping the intake to a 4V; these are 7.1:1 compression engines and their heavy pistons do not like being rev'd much above 3800 (they crack) which is one reason they came from Ford with a governor, which 'stroked says is missing. The FE intake won't work on an FE due to the exhaust crossover passage. Low compression plus rev limited means it is what it is. Unless the engine is broken or you intend to run it a lot, leaving it as-is is a great way to use it. If you swap to an FE you'll need to customize the exhaust as well as the FT exhaust manifolds won't work on FE heads (crossover passage again), but you can use the FT's timing cover to convert an FE to the truck and have a front motor mount.
The 330 MD didn't get the better FT parts that its larger brethen did, so expect valve seat recession/pocketed valves if you're low on power, rather than a lack of 4V. A valve job with hardened seats installed is a good investment. The 330 HD, the 361/391 got hardened seats and valves from Ford, but not the MD.
If I'd get this I'd try to keep the 330 as basic as I can, but if the FT ever were to give up the ghost I'd want to go full FE swap and change over as much as I could including exhaust manifolds. I was just hoping that I didn't need to use the front timing cover while doing it.
The guy is asking $4,500 and it's been listed for 11 weeks, I was hoping he'd lower the price before contacting him but he's sticking to it,
FTE Community Team
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 275
From: Oak Harbor, Washington
Bear in mind that a set of tires could run $3k.
Brakes get expensive fast, too, on these trucks, at least the juice brakes.
The hoist is nice and all but doesn't affect the value as much as the Alcoas, but then the Alcoas aren't all polished up, either.
Tough call. The smallest V8 and a 4-speed, but Alcoas and a hoist. It doesn't present as pretty, so . . . unless you really like it . . . it'd be a better deal in the low $3k range from my perspective (depending on the condition and age of the tires), but the market does vary regionally.
Brakes get expensive fast, too, on these trucks, at least the juice brakes.
The hoist is nice and all but doesn't affect the value as much as the Alcoas, but then the Alcoas aren't all polished up, either.
Tough call. The smallest V8 and a 4-speed, but Alcoas and a hoist. It doesn't present as pretty, so . . . unless you really like it . . . it'd be a better deal in the low $3k range from my perspective (depending on the condition and age of the tires), but the market does vary regionally.
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