big block help
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: del city,oklahoma
big block help
hey guys im new here just thought id say hello and ask a question. when it comes to the what are the visual differences between stock 390s and bigger blocks? i just bought a 78 f-150 from an elderly lady that didnt knwo anything about the truck and i cant read the casting numbers on the block. im almost certain its nto a 351m-400 im rpetty sure its a 390 or 460 but looking for some help figuring it out. but then again i hear there was a 360? big block also?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
big block help
Look at the intake manifold. If it extends under the valve cover then it is an FE. Now it could be a 390, 360, 406, 428, 427(probably not) no real way to be sure without tearing it down. Others can offer tips on recognizing a 460 or a 351M/400.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
From: del city,oklahoma
big block help
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-Oct-02 AT 05:12 PM (EST)]forgive my ignorance here. 
what does FE stand for. also with stock valve covers what are the differences? i know some are flat topped and some are rounded
what does FE stand for. also with stock valve covers what are the differences? i know some are flat topped and some are rounded
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
big block help
That's been a big debate in the past, but most documentation refers to it as Ford Edsel. Henry's son that started a new engine line in the late 50's for the cars and went into the trucks in the late 60's through '76.
For the differences in the engine families, drop down to the engine forums and search the past posts. They talk often about identifying features.
Marty
For the differences in the engine families, drop down to the engine forums and search the past posts. They talk often about identifying features.
Marty
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 4
From: PacNW
big block help
>hey guys im new here just thought id say hello and ask a
>question. when it comes to the what are the visual
>differences between stock 390s and bigger blocks? i just
>bought a 78 f-150 from an elderly lady that didnt knwo
>anything about the truck and i cant read the casting numbers
>on the block. im almost certain its nto a 351m-400 im rpetty
>sure its a 390 or 460 but looking for some help figuring it
>out. but then again i hear there was a 360? big block also?
If it's stock it didn't come with an FE. They stopped putting the FE engines in F series in 1976. If it's a 4X4 then it's not a 460 because they didn't start putting 460's in F series 4X4s until 1983. Since it's an F-150 I'd be highly doubtful that it's a 460 which I believe were only available stock in 2WD F-250s and above in 1978. There's a very good chance it's a 351M or 400.
Of course if it's not the stock engine than all bets are off.
>question. when it comes to the what are the visual
>differences between stock 390s and bigger blocks? i just
>bought a 78 f-150 from an elderly lady that didnt knwo
>anything about the truck and i cant read the casting numbers
>on the block. im almost certain its nto a 351m-400 im rpetty
>sure its a 390 or 460 but looking for some help figuring it
>out. but then again i hear there was a 360? big block also?
If it's stock it didn't come with an FE. They stopped putting the FE engines in F series in 1976. If it's a 4X4 then it's not a 460 because they didn't start putting 460's in F series 4X4s until 1983. Since it's an F-150 I'd be highly doubtful that it's a 460 which I believe were only available stock in 2WD F-250s and above in 1978. There's a very good chance it's a 351M or 400.
Of course if it's not the stock engine than all bets are off.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,359
Likes: 1
From: Hampstead, NC
big block help
Since it's an F-150 I'd be
>highly doubtful that it's a 460 which I believe were only
>available stock in 2WD F-250s and above in 1978.
460's were available in 2wd F-150's starting in 74 or 75. I have a 78 F-150 that came with a 460.
>highly doubtful that it's a 460 which I believe were only
>available stock in 2WD F-250s and above in 1978.
460's were available in 2wd F-150's starting in 74 or 75. I have a 78 F-150 that came with a 460.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer