I just bought a '77 150 in pretty rough condition and I have no idea how to determine what engine it has in it. I bought plugs that should have been for a 302 (smaller diameter) but they did not fit so I tend to think that the engine is a replacement.

I have not been able to find a VIN number on it so far but I don't really know where to look, anyway.

How might I be able to determine what engine I have (preferably without having to pull the engine out?)

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

How many valve cover bolts? 302's and 351W's have 5 the 351m/400 have either 7 or 8 and the 429/460 have 7 or 8 whatever is opposite of the 351M/400. The 360/390 have plugs that angle toward middle of the head, but those engines were discontinued in 76 (not to say someone coundn't have put one in). A 302 is pretty narrow at the intake manifold compared to the others. I do think I've heard that there is an older style head and newer w/ regard to the plug size. Is the thermastat housing coming forward out of the end of the intake manifold? or is it coming out of a housing on the top of the block? The 302 has it in the intake manifold. A 351w never came stock in a 78 pickup although they can be swapped in. The 302/351W have a timing cover that water passes through to get the water pump. The 351M/400 have a block where the timing chain is recessed into block w/ a flat cover at the end of the block and the thermastat housing coming out the top front of block. Check for some of these things. I doubt you will know for sure if you have a 351m or 400 if it's that type, the blocks are interchangable. The same w/ 360/390. Check out the number of valve cover bolts on a head and how the thermastat housing is. The heads on Windsors are the same, but a 351w has a taller deck than a 302 so they are distinguishable by the width of the intake manifold. The 351 is noticably wider compared to a 302 which is pretty narrow.

BBT

 

OK the 360/390 would have 5 valve cover bolts as well as any other FE block. A 302 or 351 windsor would have six valve cover bolts. A 429/460 would have seven. 351modifieds and clevelands and the 400m would have eight valve cover bolts. Chances are its a 351 or 400m

 

Wow. Thanks a lot for all of the indicators. It's too late for me tonight to check it out, but I will tomorrow and let you all know what I find.

If what I have been told by a friend is true, (that an FE engine has the valve covers overlapping the intake manifold by about an inch or so) then I am sure I do not have one of them. My intake stops well below the top of the head and the valve cover ends flush with the top of the head.

I am sure I will be back with more questions. Thanks again.

KB

 

OK. Here is what I found:

1) There are 6 bolts in each of the valve covers.
2) All four spark plugs slant to the front of the engine on one side and to the back on the other.
3) The thermostat housing is coming out of the intake manifold.
4) The water pump is mounted onto what appears to be the timing belt cover making me believe that the water is passing through it as you discribed.

Does this combination give anybody enough info to say what I have, or is there more I need to look at yet?

KB

 

You have yourself a 302 or possibly a 351W (not a stock installation in that year, but can be swapped in) I measured my Edelbrock 4V 289 performer intake manifold (goes onto 302's as well) and it's 9" across, a 351 would be at least an inch wider if not more across, the small Windsors (221,260,289,302,255) are about the narrowest V8's I've seen. Note the 255 in the list. That engine appeared in 1980 as a replacement for 302's in such things as Mustangs and other Fox bodied cars such as Fairmonts, and I've seen one w/ factory stickers in a early 80's vintage pickup truck as well. This engine is related to the rest of the Windsors and essentially is a 302 w/ a smaller bore. Same 3" stroke, smaller bore. You have a Smallblock Windsor in any case and most likely a 302 if it's original in the truck.

BBT

 

 

I just went out and measured, and my intake is also 9" across making it a 302 after all.

Thank you for your help. I can go down this weekend now and get some parts.

Now on to my next problem...

KB