I recently came across an Fe motor and I am looking to verify what I think it is. The block has no casting number, vertical ribs on the side of the block near the oil pan mounting service. And a date code of 2M16. These numbers tell me it is a service block produced on Dec 16 of 1972. The heads have a casting number of C8AEH. According to my book thses are 68 std 360/390/428 w/AIR w/ 68.1-71.1 combustion chambers. However the problem is that the rear of the block is cast w/ a 66-427 (w/ a P over the 427). It also has all the cast bosses & bumbs(no machining) for a side oiler set-up. My gut tells me this is a 360 or 390 that was rebuilt in the early 70's w/ a service block. Am I wrong? I cant find any info on what the 66-427 or the side-oiler bosses mean. Is this block something special? Does it have enough meat in the cylinder walls to go to a 427 bore? I can get the entire engine for $100. Is it worth it? Thanks

 

does it have a crank in it? measuring the bore and stroke would get us headed in the right direction. if it has a 390/427 stroke, that will at least limit some options. although, there are lots of FE "Mutt" engines out there.

also, do a search in here for the drill bit test to see how much room you have in the cylinder walls.

as for the price. $100 can probably be made up in parting out a 360, if you put in a little work. So, yeah, I think it's worth a gamble. the "66-427" markings would be tempting enough for me.

 

The sideoiler rear bulkhead was used on lots of blocks. Besides the 66-427 they have the rear sideoiler galley boss cast into it also. And if the date code has two dots under the first number it's for sure a 70's era casting. Ford used the sideoiler rear bulkhead qutie a bit on FE blocks for some reason. So what the owner is telling you is most likely true. You can gap the cyl wall cores to see aprox thickness through the freeze plug holes in the block. 360/390 blocks take a 17/64" drill bit. Some 406 and all 428's a 13/64" bit. And for a 427 either a 8/64" or 5/64" drill bit shank will fit snugly.

G.

 

Thanks for the info. The motor is complete from carb to oil pan and it does have the 2 dots in the date code. I am looking to start a new motor build for my crew cab and from what you are all saying this motor is most likely a good place to start for the $100. I will try and pull a freeze plug and try the drill bit test. Am I correct in assuming that the block was a service Block? And if so do the service blocks have any valuable features? Like heavier webs and etc?

Thanks

 

I had a 360 and it had side ribs on it too.

 

Get the casting number off of it. It'll be something like D3TE, C6ME, or something like that. Also, look on the front right hand side of it, where the "352" would normally be. Is there a "352" there, or a mirror image of a "105", or is there nothing there?

 

Didn't some 70's blocks have the casting number in or around the lifter valley? It was somewhere else other than the normal places on the side of the block. I remember someone here talking about that a good while back on a 70's block. So if the engine is assembled possibly that could be an option. Anyway yea for $100 you can't go wrong. You can either measure the stroke or look for the crank's casting number to be sure it's a 390 if you haven't yet.

 

The block has no casting number in the normal places. I've looked all over the block and found nothing except the date code. It does have the 352 cast on the front. Won't be able to do the drill bit test until next week. Thanks again

 

I do bepieve G yoyr right..some of the 70's 428 castings had 428 cast into the lifter valley....and I remember something about an X

Russ

 

Great typing?? the Grandkid was helping!! LOL..

Not Bad!

Russ